---
name: "mkxlax"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "xlax"
version: "2.4-2+b2"
release: "Debian 13 (Trixie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/mkxlax"
---

# mkxlax(1)

xlax and xterm startup program

## NAME

mkxlax - xlax and xterm startup program

## SYNOPSIS

**mkxlax** \[options\] *sendString* \[*more sendStrings* ...\]

## DESCRIPTION

*Mkxlax* is an perl script that will start up a number of xterms configured to work together with xlax, and then start up an xlax to communicate with the xterms.

*Mkxlax* will start an xterm for each argument (send string) provided. Each xterm will have it's name hint (the \`-name' option) set to xlax:sendString, where the sendString is the argument provided to *mkxlax.* The xterms will all be started with send events enabled (required for xlax).

The xterms will be arranged in a cascasde from upper left to lower right. Other arrangements are possible based on the provided options.

## OPTIONS

- **-group** *name*

  An alternate prefix should be used with xlax instead of \`xlax:'.  This allows multiple groups of xlax windows to be run at the same time without interfering with each other.

- **-layout** *name*

  Selects a predefined, named layout screen (from your $HOME/.mkxlax file), and uses that layout information (and group name, if given) for the created windows.

- **-x** *num*

  The starting x location of the first xterm

- **-y** *num*

  The starting y location of the first xterm

- **-dx** *num*

  The amount to add in x to the position of each additional xterm

- **-dy** *num*

  The amount to add in y to the position of each additional xterm

- **-wrapx** *num*

  If x is greater than this value, x wraps back around to it's starting value.

- **-wrapy** *num*

  If y is greater than this value, y wraps back around to it's starting value.

- **-wrapdx** *num*

  If a wrap occurs, add this value to x.  Typically this is used together with \`-wrapy', so that when y returns to zero, x is shifted.

- **-wrapdy** *num*

  If a wrap occurs, add this value to y.  Typically this is used together with \`-wrapx', so that when x returns to zero, y is shifted.

- **-termsize** *WIDTHxHEIGHT*

  The width and height (columns and rows) for the xterm that will be started. Note that this is not a full geometry specifcation, as mkxlax handles the window positioning.  Default is "80x24"

- **-termopts** *optionstring*

  Additional options to pass on to the xterm.  String must be quoted if it contains spaces.  Also, you can not use geometry or name options here.

- **-geometry** *geometrystring*

  geometry for the xlax window (NOT the xterms).  This is a standard format X11 geometry, e.g. WIDTHxHEIGHT+XOFFSET+YOFFSET.

- **--**

  Ends option processing (in case a sendString needs to start with a dash).

If no options are given, the defaults are \`-x 0 -y 0 -dx 20 -dy 50 -wrapy 750 -wrapdx 200'

It's possible to provide options that probably don't make any sense.  The EXAMPLES section shows a few reasonable usages.

## LAYOUT CONFIGURATION

Custom layouts can be added by putting them in the configuration file *.mkxlax* in your home directory.  The file contains lines with a layout name followed by a colon, and then command line options to set for that layout. For example:

```
  tile: -group tilexlax -dx 510 -wrapx 1000 -wrapdy 345 -geometry +740-2
```

This creates a layout called "tile", with those options set.  Once this is in your *.mkxlax* file, you can then run:

```
  mkxlax -layout tile host1 host2 ...
```

And all of the options associated with "tile" will apply.  Note that the config file will override any command-line options which are before the "-layout"; command-line options after the "-layout" will override those in the config file.

You can also list sendStrings after the options in the layout configuration, so a frequently used list of strings can be accessed with a simple layout.  Any additional sendStrings provided on the command line will be added to those found in the layout.

## EXAMPLES

This starts up five xterms with the default cascade positioning.

```
example% mkxlax host1 host2 host3 host4 host5
```

If you run more than one group of *mkxlax* windows, you need different group names, otherwise later xlaxes will find windows from earlier *mkxlax* commands.

```
example% mkxlax -group foo: host1 host2 host3
```

To lay out tiled, by row:

```
example% mkxlax -dx 400 -wrapx 1000 -wrapdy 300 host1 host2 ...
```

To lay out tiled, by column:

```
example% mkxlax -dy 300 -wrapy 700 -wrapdx 400 host1 host2 ...
```

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DISPLAY**

  To get default host and display number.

## FILES

- *$HOME/.mkxlax*

  Layout customization information

## BUGS

Probably something, but nothing that comes to mind.

## SEE ALSO

[xterm(1)](/xterm/1.md), [xlax(1)](/xlax/1.md)

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright 2007, Thomas A. Fine\