---
name: "imv-x11"
section: "5"
platform: "linux"
package: "imv"
version: "4.5.0-1+b4"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/imv-x11/5"
---

# imv-x11(5)

imv configuration file

## NAME

imv - imv configuration file

## DESCRIPTION

imv can be customised with this configuration file, changing its default behaviour, key bindings, and appearance.

The imv configuration file is an ini-style file, with multiple *key = value* settings, separated into several '\[section\]'s.

## OPTIONS

The **\[options\]** section accepts the following settings:

**background** = \<hex-code\|*checks*\>

Set the background in imv. Can either be a 6-digit hexadecimal colour code, or *checks* for a chequered background. Defaults to *000000*

**fullscreen** = \<true\|false\>

Start imv fullscreen. Defaults to *false*.

**width** = \<width\>

Initial width of the imv window. Defaults to 1280.

**height** = \<height\>

Initial height of the imv window. Defaults to 720.

**initial\_pan** = \<pan\_factor\_x\> \<pan\_factor\_y\>

Initial pan/focus position factor of the opened images. A value of 50 represents the middle point of the image (50%). Defaults to *50 50*

**list\_files\_at\_exit** = \<true\|false\>

Print open files to stdout at exit, each on a separate line. Defaults to *false*.

**loop\_input** = \<true\|false\>

Return to first image after viewing the last one. Defaults to *true*.

**overlay** = \<true\|false\>

Start with the overlay visible. Defaults to *false*.

**overlay\_font** = \<typeface:size\>

Use the specified font in the overlay. Defaults to *Monospace:24*.

**overlay\_text** = \<text\>

Use the given text as the overlay’s text. The provided text is shell expanded, so the output of commands can be used (for example, *$(ls)*). Environment variables can also be used, including the ones accessible to imv’s *exec* command.

**overlay\_text\_color** = \<hex-code\>

Set the color for the text in the overlay. Is a 6-digit hexadecimal color code. Defaults to *ffffff*.

**overlay\_text\_alpha** = \<hex-code\>

Set the alpha for the text in the overlay. Is a 2-digit hexadecimal color code. Defaults to *ff*.

**overlay\_background\_color** = \<hex-code\>

Set the color for the background of the overlay. Is a 6-digit hexadecimal color code. Defaults to *000000*.

**overlay\_background\_alpha** = \<hex-code\>

Set the alpha for the background of the overlay. Is a 2-digit hexadecimal color code. Defaults to *c3*.

**overlay\_position\_bottom** = \<true\|false\>

Display the overlay at the bottom of the imv window, instead of the top.

**recursively** = \<true\|false\>

Load input paths recursively. Defaults to *false*.

**scaling\_mode** = \<none\|shrink\|full\|crop\>

Set scaling mode to use. *none* will show each image at its actual size. *shrink* will scale down the image to fit inside the window. *full* will both scale up and scale down the image to fit perfectly inside the window. *crop* will scale and crop the image to fill the window. Defaults to *full*.

**slideshow\_duration** = \<duration\>

Start imv in slideshow mode, and set the amount of time to show each image for in seconds. Defaults to *0*, i.e. no slideshow.

**suppress\_default\_binds** = \<true\|false\>

Disable imv’s built-in binds so they don’t conflict with custom ones. Defaults to *false*.

**title\_text** = \<text\>

Use the given text as the window’s title. The provided text is shell expanded, so the output of commands can be used: *$(ls)* as can environment variables, including the ones accessible to imv’s *exec* command.

**upscaling\_method** = \<linear\|nearest\_neighbour\>

Use the specified method to upscale images. Defaults to *linear*.

## ALIASES

The **\[aliases\]** section allows aliases to be added for imv’s build in commands. For example, *x = close* would add a *x* command that simply executes the *close* command. Any arguments provided to an alias are appended to the command configured by the alias.

## BINDS

The **\[binds\]** section allows custom key bindings to be added to imv.

Binds are in the format *key combination = command*. A key combination can consist of multiple keys in succession. Multiple commands for a single key combination can be defined by separating each command with a *;*. Single and double quotes are honoured, as is escaping with a backslash, to allow the proper quoting of shell commands.

Single keys such as *q* are just that: *q = quit* will bind the *q* key to the *quit* command.

Modifier keys can be specified by prefixing them: *Ctrl+q*, *Meta+f*, *Shift+G*. If multiple modifier keys are desired, they are specified in the order *Ctrl+Meta+Shift*. When a key’s name is more than a single character, or a modifier is used it must be wrapped in *\<* and *\>*, for example: *\<Ctrl+q\>*.

Multiple keys in succession can be specified by listing them in order: *gg = goto 1* will bind two presses of the *g* key to jump to the first image, and *\<Ctrl+a\>p = exec echo hi* will bind the key sequence of *Ctrl+a* followed by *p* to executing the shell command *echo hi*.

Many keys, such as *\<*, and *\>* have special names. On X11, these can be easily found with the [xev(1)](/xev/1.md) command. For example, *!* is called *exclam*, *\<* is called *less*, *\>* is called *greater*.

A complete list of keysyms can also be found on most systems with the *dumpkeys -l* command.

[**imv**(1)](/imv/1.md)