sagotsky.github.io

Last time we used gdm to switch between virtual terminals. gdm3 still hasn't restored that feature, so here's what I've been using instead.

chvt

This command existed the whole time. I guess I just found the gdmflexiserver option first. Here's the script:

#!/bin/bash

# switch to a user or make a new login screen

if [ $# != 1 ] ; then
    echo 'Specify a user'
    exit 1
fi

USER=$1
SESSION=$(w | grep "^$USER.*gdm-session"

if [ "$SESSION" == "" ] ; then
    gdmflexiserver 
else
    TTY=$(echo $SESSION | cut -f 2 -d ' ' | tr -d '[:alpha:]' )
    sudo chvt $TTY
fi

The arg is a user name. If it finds a session owned by that user, switch to it. Otherwise start up a new session. The only hairy bit is sudo. I use this script from a keyboard shortcut, so entering a password is not ideal. Got around that with visudo:

%sagotsky  ALL = NOPASSWD: /usr/bin/chvt