---
name: "swaynag"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "sway"
version: "1:1.12-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/swaynag"
---

# swaynag(1)

Show a warning or error message with buttons

## NAME

swaynag - Show a warning or error message with buttons

## SYNOPSIS

*swaynag* \[options...\]

## OPTIONS

**-b, --button** \<text\> \<action\>

Create a button with the text *text* that executes *action* when pressed. If the environment variable *TERMINAL* is set, *action* will be run inside the terminal. Otherwise, it will fallback to running directly. Multiple buttons can be defined by providing the flag multiple times.

**-B, --button-no-terminal** \<text\> \<action\>

Create a button with the text *text* that executes *action* when pressed. *action* will be run directly instead of in a terminal. Multiple buttons can be defined by providing the flag multiple times.

**-z, --button-dismiss** \<text\> \<action\>

Create a button with the text *text* that executes *action* when pressed, and dismisses swaynag. If the environment variable *TERMINAL* is set, *action* will be run inside the terminal. Otherwise, it will fallback to running directly. Multiple buttons can be defined by providing the flag multiple times.

**-Z, --button-dismiss-no-terminal** \<text\> \<action\>

Create a button with the text *text* that executes *action* when pressed, and dismisses swaynag. *action* will be run directly instead of in a terminal. Multiple buttons can be defined by providing the flag multiple times.

- **-c, --config** \<path\>

  The config file to use. By default, the following paths are checked: *$HOME/.swaynag/config*, *$XDG\_CONFIG\_HOME/swaynag/config*, and *SYSCONFDIR/swaynag/config*. All flags aside from this one and *debug* are valid options in the configuration file using the format *long-option=value*. All leading dashes should be omitted and the equals sign is required. See [swaynag(5)](/swaynag/5.md) for more information.

- **-d, --debug**

  Enable debugging.

- **-e, --edge** top\|bottom

  Set the edge to use.

- **-y, --layer** overlay\|top\|bottom\|background

  Set the layer to use.

- **-f, --font** \<font\>

  Set the font to use.

- **-h, --help**

  Show help message and quit.

- **-l, --detailed-message**

  Read a detailed message from stdin. A button to toggle details will be added. Details are shown in a scrollable multi-line text area.

- **-L, --detailed-button** \<text\>

  Set the text for the button that toggles details. This has no effect if there is not a detailed message. The default is *Toggle details*.

- **-m, --message** \<msg\>

  Set the message text.

- **-o, --output** \<output\>

  Set the output to use. This should be the name of a *xdg\_output*.

- **-s, --dismiss-button** \<text\>

  Sets the text for the dismiss nagbar button. The default is *X*.

- **-t, --type** \<type\>

  Set the message type. Two types are created by default *error* and *warning*. Custom types can be defined in the config file. See *--config* and [swaynag(5)](/swaynag/5.md) for details. Both of the default types can be overridden in the config file as well.

- **-v, --version**

  Show the version number and quit.

## APPEARANCE OPTIONS

- **--background** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the color of the background.

- **--border** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the color of the border.

- **--border-bottom** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the color of the bottom border.

- **--button-background** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the color for the background for buttons.

- **--text** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the text color.

- **--button-text** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the button text color.

- **--border-bottom-size** \<size\>

  Set the thickness of the bottom border.

- **--message-padding** \<padding\>

  Set the padding for the message.

- **--details-background** \<RRGGBB\[AA\]\>

  Set the color for the background for details.

- **--details-border-size** \<size\>

  Set the thickness for the details border.

- **--button-border-size** \<size\>

  Set the thickness for the button border.

- **--button-gap** \<gap\>

  Set the size of the gap between buttons.

- **--button-dismiss-gap** \<gap\>

  Set the size of the gap between the dismiss button and another button.

- **--button-margin-right** \<margin\>

  Set the margin from the right of the dismiss button to edge.

- **--button-padding** \<padding\>

  Set the padding for the button text.

## SEE

[swaynag(5)](/swaynag/5.md)