---
name: "xeyes"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "xorg-xeyes"
version: "1.3.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/xeyes"
---

# xeyes(1)

a follow the mouse X demo

## NAME

xeyes - a follow the mouse X demo

## SYNOPSIS

**xeyes** \[-option ...\]

## DESCRIPTION

**Xeyes** watches what you do and reports to the Boss.

## OPTIONS

- **-fg *foreground\_color***

  choose a different color for the pupil of the eyes.

- **-bg *background\_color***

  choose a different color for the background.

- **-outline *outline\_color***

  choose a different color for the outline of the eyes.

- **-center *center\_color***

  choose a different color for the center of the eyes.

- **-backing WhenMapped \| Always \| NotUseful**

  selects an appropriate level of backing store.

- **-geometry *geometry***

  define the initial window geometry; see [**X**(7)](/X/7.md).

- **-display *display***

  specify the display to use; see [**X**(7)](/X/7.md).

- **-bd *border\_color***

  choose a different color for the window border.

- **-bw *border\_width***

  choose a different width for the window border.

- **-shape**

  uses the SHAPE extension to shape the window.  This is the default.

- **+shape**

  disables use of the SHAPE extension to shape the window.

- **-render**

  uses Xrender to draw anti-aliased eyes. This is the default if **xeyes** has been compiled with Xrender support.

- **+render**

  disables Xrender and draws traditional eyes.

- **-distance**

  uses an alternative mapping, as if the eyes were set back from the screen, thus following the mouse more precisely.

- **-biblicallyAccurate**

  renders the eyes as if they belonged to a biblically accurate angel.

- **-help**

  print a usage message and exit.

- **-version**

  print the version number and exit.

## SEE ALSO

[**X**(7)](/X/7.md), X Toolkit documentation

## AUTHOR

Keith Packard, MIT X Consortium\
 Copied from the NeWS version written (apparently) by Jeremy Huxtable as seen at SIGGRAPH '88