---
name: "mate-screensaver-command"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "mate-screensaver"
version: "1.28.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mate-screensaver-command"
---

# mate-screensaver-command(1)

controls MATE screensaver

## NAME

mate-screensaver-command - controls MATE screensaver

## SYNOPSIS

**mate-screensaver-command** \[*OPTION...*\]

## DESCRIPTION

mate-screensaver-command is a tool for controlling an already running instance of mate-screensaver.

## OPTIONS

- **--exit**

  Causes the screensaver to exit gracefully

- **-q, --query**

  Query the state of the screensaver

- **-t, --time**

  Query the length of time the screensaver has been active

- **-l, --lock**

  Tells the running screensaver process to lock the screen immediately

- **-u, --unlock**

  Tells the running screensaver process to unlock the screen immediately

- **-c, --cycle**

  If the screensaver is active then switch to another graphics demo

- **-a, --activate**

  Turn the screensaver on (blank the screen)

- **-d, --deactivate**

  If the screensaver is active then deactivate it (un-blank the screen)

- **-p, --poke**

  Poke the running screensaver to simulate user activity

- **-i, --inhibit**

  Inhibit the screensaver from activating. Command blocks while inhibit is active.

- **-n, --application-name**

  The calling application that is inhibiting the screensaver

- **-r, --reason**

  The reason for inhibiting the screensaver

- **-V, --version**

  Version of this application

## AUTHORS

**This manual page was originally written by Sven Arvidsson \<sa@whiz.se\> for gnome-screensaver-command.**

## SEE ALSO

[**mate-screensaver**(1)](/mate-screensaver/1.md)