---
name: "gpm.conf"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "gpm"
version: "1.20.7-11+b2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/gpm.conf"
---

# gpm.conf(5)

startup configuration file for gpm

## NAME

**gpm.conf** – startup configuration file for gpm

## DESCRIPTION

**gpm.conf** specifies options to be passed to the **gpm** daemon at start time.  It is parsed by the init script, rather than by **gpm** itself.  It comprises variable assignments in Bourne shell syntax: *variable*=*value* (with no extra spaces; to embed spaces or other shell metacharacters in values, use quotes as in shell scripting).  Blank lines and lines beginning with a hash ("**#**") are ignored.

Settings are implemented by setting flags on the **gpm** command line; these are documented in [gpm(8)](/gpm/8.md). The following variable names are specified:

- device

  Specifies the device file for your primary mouse.  This sets **-m**.

- type

  Specifies the protocol for your primary mouse.  This sets **-t**.

- device2, type2

  The same as *device* and *type*, but for your secondary mouse.  These set **-m** and **-t** after passing **-M**. If either of these are defined, both must be.

- responsiveness

  Specifies the responsiveness for your primary mouse.  This sets **-r**.

- sample\_rate

  Specifies the sample rate for your primary mouse.  This sets **-s**.

- repeat\_type

  Enables the **gpm** repeater and sets the repeater protocol, using the **-R** flag.  Repeat type *none* or an empty value will disable the repeater.

- append

  Any options specified here are appended to the **gpm** command line.  If you use multiple options, you will need to enclose the value in quotes ("").

## EXAMPLES

A simple **gpm.conf** file for a PS/2 mouse whose protocol should be autodetected, and which should be repeated in */dev/gpmdata* as a serial Microsoft Intellimouse:

```
# Sample gpm.conf
device=/dev/psaux
type=autops2
repeat_type=ms3
```

This will cause the daemon to be started as **gpm** **-m** */dev/psaux* **-t** *autops2* **-Rms3**.

## FILES

*/etc/gpm.conf*

## SEE ALSO

[gpm(8)](/gpm/8.md), [dpkg-reconfigure(8)](/dpkg-reconfigure/8.md). **dpkg-reconfigure** *gpm* can be used to generate and update the **gpm.conf** file automatically.