I use inxi on Linux to check my laptop batter, CPU information, and even the weather.
![Coding on a computer][1]
I was looking for information about the health of my laptop battery when I stumbled upon `inxi`. It's a command line system information tool that provides a wealth of information about your Linux computer, whether it's a laptop, desktop, or server.
The `inxi` command is [licensed][2] with the GPLv3, and many Linux distributions include it. According to its Git repository: "inxi strives to support the widest range of operating systems and hardware, from the most simple consumer desktops, to the most advanced professional hardware and servers."
Documentation is robust, and the project maintains a complete [man page][3] online. Once installed, you can access the man page on your system with the `man inxi` command.
### Install inxi on Linux
Generally, you can install `inxi` from your distribution's software repository or app center. For example, on Fedora, CentOS, Mageia, or similar:
```
$ sudo dnf install inxi
```
On Debian, Elementary, Linux Mint, or similar:
```
$ sudo apt install inxi
```
You can find more information about installation options for your Linux distribution [here][4].
### 3 ways to use inxi on Linux
Once you install `inxi`, you can explore all its options. There are numerous options to help you learn more about your system. The most fundamental command provides a basic overview of your system:
The output of `inxi` uses colored text by default. You can change that to improve readability, as needed, by using the "color switch."
The command option is `-c` followed by any number between 0 and 42 to suit your tastes.
```
$ inxi -c 42
```
Here is an example of a couple of different options using color 5 and then 7:
![inxi -c 5 command][5]
The software can show hardware temperature, fan speed, and other information about your system using the sensors in your Linux system. Enter `inxi -s` and read the result below:
![inxi -s][6]
### 3. Combine options
You can combine options for `inxi` to get complex output when supported. For example, `inxi -S` provides system information, and `-v` provides verbose output. Combining the two gives the following:
Your computer isn't all `inxi` can gather information about. With the `-w` option, you can also get weather information for your locale:
```
$ inxi -w
Weather:
Report: temperature: 14 C (57 F) conditions: Clear sky
Locale: Wellington, G2, NZL
current time: Tue 30 Aug 2022 16:28:14 (Pacific/Auckland)
Source: WeatherBit.io
```
You can get weather information for other areas of the world by specifying the city and country you want along with `-W` :
```
$ inxi -W rome,italy
Weather:
Report: temperature: 20 C (68 F) conditions: Clear sky
Locale: Rome, Italy current time: Tue 30 Aug 2022 06:29:52
Source: WeatherBit.io
```
### Wrap up
There are many great tools to gather information about your computer. I use different ones depending on the machine, the desktop, or my mood. What are your favorite system information tools?
