In praise of grobi for auto-configuring X11 monitors
a year ago
- #automation
- #monitor-configuration
- #suspend-to-RAM
- The author uses grobi to automatically configure their Dell 32-inch 8K monitor (UP3218K) when it connects to their PC.
- Previously, the author used a sleep-based approach with manual xrandr commands to configure the monitor after waking from suspend-to-RAM.
- The grobi configuration file (~/.config/grobi.conf) specifies the monitor's outputs and resolutions, using atomic mode for reliable configuration.
- Grobi listens for X11 RandR output change events and runs xrandr to configure the monitor when it detects a connection.
- The author also uses zleep, a custom program, to manage suspend-to-RAM and automatically wake the PC at 6:50 AM for daily cron jobs.
- zleep integrates with a myStrom smart plug to turn off the monitor during suspend, saving power (30W in standby).
- A shell script (/lib/systemd/system-sleep/zleep.sh) turns the monitor back on after resuming, allowing grobi to detect and configure it.