Config Fastfetch

7 min read Oct 03, 2024

What is fastfetch?

fastfetch is a system information script that provides a quick and visually appealing way to display information about your system. It's incredibly popular among Linux users, offering a clean and concise overview of your system's hardware and software components.

Why use fastfetch?

You might be wondering, "Why use fastfetch when there are other system information tools available?" Well, here are some compelling reasons:

Speed: As the name suggests, fastfetch is extremely fast. It gathers system information quickly and displays it efficiently.
Customization: fastfetch offers a wide range of customization options, allowing you to tailor its output to your liking. You can choose colors, fonts, and even the specific information displayed.
Visual Appeal: Unlike other system information tools that may present information in a cluttered or boring way, fastfetch displays information in a visually pleasing and easy-to-read format.
Portability: fastfetch is incredibly portable and can be run on various Linux distributions with minimal effort.

How to install and use fastfetch

Installing fastfetch is generally straightforward. Most Linux distributions have it readily available in their package managers.

Installation

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install fastfetch

Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:

sudo dnf install fastfetch

Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S fastfetch

Usage

Once installed, running fastfetch is simple:

fastfetch

This will display system information, including:

Operating System: Distribution and version
Kernel: Version and build date
CPU: Name, core count, clock speed
GPU: Name, driver version
Memory: Total RAM, free RAM
Disk: Total disk space, free disk space
Shell: Shell name and version
Desktop Environment: Desktop environment and version
WM: Window Manager and version
Terminal: Terminal emulator and version
Resolution: Screen resolution
Uptime: System uptime
Package Manager: Package manager used

Customizing fastfetch

One of the most powerful features of fastfetch is its extensive customization options. Here's how you can configure it:

Configuration file: fastfetch uses a configuration file to store your preferences. By default, it's located at ~/.config/fastfetch/config.
Editing the configuration file: You can use your favorite text editor to edit the config file.

nano ~/.config/fastfetch/config

Customization Options:
- Colors: You can change the color of various elements displayed by fastfetch using the COLOR variable. For example:
```
COLOR="blue"
```
  You can use any standard color name or hex codes.
- Fonts: You can customize the font used for the output. Here's an example:
```
FONT="Arial"
```
- Info: You can specify what information you want to display by modifying the INFO variable. Here's an example:
```
INFO="OS,Kernel,CPU,GPU,Memory,Disk,Shell,WM,Terminal,Resolution,Uptime"
```
- Style: fastfetch supports several different styles to control the overall look and feel of the output. For example:
```
STYLE="simple"
```
  Some popular styles include "simple", "fancy", and "minimal".

Examples of fastfetch configurations

Here are a few examples of how you can configure fastfetch:

Example 1:

COLOR="red"
FONT="Courier New"
INFO="OS,Kernel,CPU,GPU,Memory,Disk,Shell,WM,Terminal,Resolution,Uptime"
STYLE="simple"

This configuration will display the information specified with a red color, using Courier New font and a simple style.

Example 2:

COLOR="green"
FONT="Monospace"
INFO="OS,Kernel,CPU,GPU,Memory,Disk,Shell,WM,Terminal,Resolution,Uptime,Package Manager"
STYLE="fancy"

This configuration displays information in green using a monospace font with a fancy style. It also includes the package manager information.

Example 3:

COLOR="purple"
FONT="Arial"
INFO="OS,Kernel,CPU,Memory,Disk,Shell,WM,Terminal,Resolution,Uptime"
STYLE="minimal"

This configuration displays information in purple using Arial font with a minimal style. It excludes the GPU and Package Manager details.

Tips for using fastfetch

Create custom themes: You can experiment with different color combinations, fonts, and styles to create your own unique themes for fastfetch.
Use aliases: To make running fastfetch with your preferred settings easier, you can create an alias in your shell.
Integrate with other tools: Fastfetch can be integrated with other tools like terminal themes and system monitoring dashboards.

Conclusion

fastfetch is a valuable tool for Linux users, offering a quick, visually appealing, and customizable way to display system information. Whether you're a seasoned user or a beginner, fastfetch can be a great way to get a snapshot of your system's configuration and performance. With its vast customization options, you can tailor its output to your specific needs and preferences.