Peek: Feature Request: Provide flag to start peek without the top bar

[McKean]

Basically enabling the possibility to to start peek with minimal UI (or no UI at all essentially).
This way it could be implemented easier programmatically for i3 as an example.
When using this in stacked mode it will cut off the top part

See https://github.com/phw/peek/pull/200 for more information.

[phw]

I see how this makes sense in some cases. As you are limited to the keyboard shortcuts then this is definitely an advanced option, but I could even show a small hint "Press Ctrl+R to start" into the window.

I will consider this, but not high priority right now.

[McKean]

yeah, you could use the semi transparent surface and show that text on it x/y centered. once you start the capture it will not show anymore and everyone is happy. Perhaps also allow a flag which will start capturing directly. That would follow the gnu way of being able to plug in/out applications easily.

That would make it possible to have a key binding in i3 for example which will stack that window and start recording, when stoped the file is generated and the application is closed. Ideally then have dropobox uploader take the fila and generate a public link for sharing.

[phw]

I just implemented this as it was easy enough to do, start peek with --no-headerbar. I first feared hiding the headerbar would break the layout, but at least here it looks ok.

I will keep this issue open as I want to add that indicator showing the keyboard shortcut to use. Also maybe some testing with more themes.

[McKean]

Very nice!

[McKean]

so when doing --no-headerbar --start it will start right away, am I right? then ctrl + alt r and it will stop?

I guess only thing missing would be --file to set a save path. Then one could write a bash script which starts peek with all the params, arranges the windows, and then does something with the resulting file (eg dropbox upload public link fetch)

Not quite... I guess it's a bit tricky to wait for peek to end. So a self destruction upon save might be necessary. I'm just thinking out loud.

[phw]

Not quite. You first have to start peek with --no-headerbar, than another call to peek --start will start recording (in all open windows if you have opened multiple). Something like this:

peek --no-headerbar &
peek --start

You can stop again later with

peek --stop

But I probably should change Peek so that peek --start first opens a new window, if there is no window yet. Than peek --no-headerbar --start would work.

[McKean]

ah gotcha. sorry for my post edit...

so ideally: peek --no-headerbar --start --autoclose --type gif --file ~/gifs/temp.gif

[McKean]

although perhaps it might be better to do as you mentioned:
peek --no-headerbar
i3 window modifications (stacking)
peek --start --autoclose --type gif --file $(myfile)
do something with $(myfile)

[phw]

It's likely I will release this feature as is in 1.2.0 and improve the user experience later on.

[phw]

See #234