---
name: "kupfer"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "kupfer"
version: "329-3"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/kupfer"
---

# kupfer(1)

Convenient command and access tool for applications and documents

## Name

kupfer - Convenient command and access tool for applications and documents

## SYNOPSIS

```
kupfer [ OPTIONS | FILE ... ]
kupfer-exec FILE ...
```

## DESCRIPTION

Kupfer is an interface for quick and convenient access to applications and their documents.

The most typical use is to find a specific application and launch it. We have tried to make Kupfer easy to extend with plugins so that this quick-access paradigm can be extended to many more objects than just applications.

**kupfer-exec** is a helper script that can execute commands saved to file, but only by connecting to an already running instance of Kupfer.

## SPAWNING

Running kupfer on the command line (without options) will try to show the program it if already running.

Kupfer can be invoked with a list of files

**kupfer** *FILE* ...

The file paths will be sent to and selected in an already running instance of the program.

You may also pipe text to **kupfer** to pass it to a currently running instance.

## OPTIONS

- **--no-splash**

  Launch without presenting main interface

- **--debug**

  Enable more verbose output that can help understanding the program's operation.

- **--list-plugins**

  List all installed plugins by their identifier, version and description.

The following are options for internal use

- **--exec-helper=***HELPER*

  Run plugin helper program, which should be the name of a module inside kupfer.

The following are generic options

- **--help**

  Display usage information

- **--version**

  Display version information

## CONFIGURATION

Custom plugins are added to kupfer by installing them to the directory *~/.local/share/kupfer/plugins*, or any kupfer/plugins directory in any of **$XDG\_DATA\_DIRS**.

## ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

If *KUPFER\_NO\_CUSTOM\_PLUGINS* is set, only allow loading built-in plugins (installed in the program's python package).

If *KUPFER\_NO\_CACHE* is set, do not load from or write to any source cache files.

If *KUPFER\_NO\_KEYBINDER* is set do not use **Keybinder** even if it is installed.

## TROUBLESHOTING / KNOWN BUGS

### Wayland

Set *GDK\_BACKEND* environment variable to **x11**  solve problem with wrong window position.

Some plugins (for example *Windows*) not work due to lack support by *Wnck* library.

## Author

Ulrik Sverdrup