Execute shell script or command on idle time

Question

I'm searching for the possibility to execute a shell script or command based on idle time in the bash shell.

As an example, if I'm in a SSH session to a server of mine and after X minutes of inactivity in the terminal, I want a command to start a desired program like cmatrix, and when I come back and press a key I will get back where I left.

Why not run your cmatrix or whatever all the time, but with a nice --adjustment=17 low scheduling priority? See man nice. Then, when you do something interactive, it will have a normal (0) scheduling priority and take over. — waltinator, Aug 24 '15 at 03:36

score 9 · Answer 1 · edited Nov 18 '15 at 14:48

9

Apparently GNU screen has screensaver capabilities similar to what you're asking, if you put this in your .screenrc:

blankerprg cmatrix -ab -u2
idle 60 blanker

edited Nov 18 '15 at 14:48

answered May 20 '13 at 22:10

Paul

7,224

Is there no way to get it to run with the -l option too? – Nov 18 '15 at 14:59
3

This only works with a screen session, no? – Thomas Ward Nov 18 '15 at 15:25
For noobs like me. You have to first run screen -q cmd. then you are in screen terminal :( – pazel1374 Apr 13 '22 at 11:09

Execute shell script or command on idle time

1 Answers1