---
name: "i3bar"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "i3-wm"
version: "4.25.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/i3bar"
---

# i3bar(1)

xcb-based status- and workspace-bar

## NAME

i3bar - xcb-based status- and workspace-bar

## SYNOPSIS

**i3bar** \[**-b** *bar\_id*\] \[**-s** *sock\_path*\] \[**-t**\] \[**-h**\] \[**-v**\] \[**-V**\]

## WARNING

i3bar will automatically be invoked by i3 for every *bar* configuration block.

Starting it manually is usually not what you want to do.

You have been warned!

## OPTIONS

- **-s, --socket** *sock\_path*

  Overwrites the path to the i3 IPC socket.

- **-b, --bar\_id** *bar\_id*

  Specifies the bar ID for which to get the configuration from i3. By default, i3bar will use the first bar block as configured in i3.

- **-t, --transparency**

  Enable transparency (RGBA colors)

- **-h, --help**

  Display a short help-message and exit

- **-v, --version**

  Display version number and exit.

- **-V**

  Be verbose.

## DESCRIPTION

**i3bar** displays a bar at the bottom (or top) of your monitor(s) containing workspace switching buttons and a statusline generated by [i3status(1)](/i3status/1.md) or similar. It is automatically invoked (and configured through) i3.

i3bar supports using a JSON protocol for setting the status line, see **https://i3wm.org/docs/i3bar-protocol.html**

Since i3 4.23, i3bar supports another JSON protocol for setting workspace buttons. See **https://i3wm.org/docs/i3bar-workspace-protocol.html**.

## ENVIRONMENT

### I3SOCK

Used as a fallback for the i3 IPC socket path if neither the commandline contains an argument nor the I3\_SOCKET\_PATH property is set on the X11 root window.

## EXAMPLES

Nothing to see here, move along. As stated above, you should not run i3bar manually.

Instead, see the i3 documentation, especially the User’s Guide.

## SEE ALSO

[i3status(1)](/i3status/1.md), j4status(1) or [conky(1)](/conky/1.md) for programs generating a statusline.

[dzen2(1)](/dzen2/1.md) or [xmobar(1)](/xmobar/1.md) for similar programs to i3bar.

## AUTHORS

Axel Wagner and contributors