Refactored command flow to separate daemon invocation, added status handling, and improved error handling. - New Features: Added `execute_local` helper and `BatteryCommands::Status` handling. - Enhancements: Simplified daemon checks, removed redundant condition, improved readability and error messages. - Bug Fixes: Fixed missed daemon return path for status command and ensured proper touchpad inhibition logic.
Take full control of your Linux laptop hardware with a fast, zero dependency CLI tool built in Rust.
Why lapctl?
Built with performance and simplicity in mind, it talks directly to your system's hardware interfaces (sysfs, acpi, udev). A high-performance background daemon (lapctld) handles all privileged operations via a secure D-Bus interface, allowing you to control your laptop completely without sudo.
Key Features
- Graphics Switching: Effortlessly toggle between Integrated, NVIDIA, and Hybrid modes. Optimize for battery life on the go or raw performance at your desk.
- Battery Health: Modern batteries hate being at 100% all the time. Set custom charge limits (like 80%) to significantly extend your battery's lifespan.
- Power Tuning: Switch through performance profiles or set hard CPU power (TDP) limits in Watts to keep things cool or let them loose.
- Intelligent Cooling: Force your fans into Performance, Balanced, or Quiet modes (supporting ASUS and Lenovo laptops).
- Display Refresh Rate: Easily query available refresh rates and change your active display's Hz on-the-fly (100% native Rust Wayland implementation using
zwlr_output_manager_v1for wlroots compositors like Sway and Hyprland). - Touchpad Toggle: Quickly enable or disable your touchpad from the terminal when using an external mouse.
- Sleep Inhibitor: Running a long compile or a critical download? Use the inhibitor to stop your laptop from falling asleep mid task.
- Instant Status: Get a bird's eye view of your hardware state, battery health, and current limits with one simple command.
Installation
lapctl is built with Rust. Ensure you have the Rust toolchain installed.
Option 1: Arch Linux (AUR)
yay -S lapctl
Option 2: Using just (Recommended for other distros)
If you have just installed:
just install
sudo lapctl install-rules
The install-rules command automatically sets up the D-Bus policy and starts the lapctld background service.
Option 3: Using cargo
cargo install --path .
sudo lapctl install-rules
Requirements
- systemd: For sleep inhibitor (
systemd-inhibit) - GPU Switching (Optional):
xrandrandnvidia-settingsare strictly required ONLY when using thelapctl gpucommand on X11 (to route proprietary NVIDIA Optimus drivers). - Wayland Display: Built entirely natively using
wayland-clientandwayland-protocols-wlr(nowlr-randrrequired!)
Limitations
- GNOME / KDE Plasma (Wayland): The display refresh rate feature relies heavily on the
zwlr_output_manager_v1protocol. This protocol is exclusive to wlroots-based compositors (like Sway and Hyprland). GNOME and KDE use their own disparate internal display protocols, meaning this feature will not work out-of-the-box on those Desktop Environments.
Quick Start Guide
# Install D-Bus policy & start daemon (Required for rootless control)
sudo lapctl install-rules
# From now on, NO sudo is required!
# Manage your GPU
lapctl gpu integrated # Max battery
lapctl gpu hybrid # Best of both worlds
lapctl gpu nvidia # High performance
lapctl gpu run steam # Run 'steam' on dGPU directly while in Hybrid mode
# Prolong battery life
lapctl battery limit 80
lapctl battery status
# Tune your power
lapctl power performance
lapctl power battery-save
lapctl power limit-tdp 35 # Stay under 35W
# Adjust your fans
lapctl cooling quiet
lapctl cooling performance
# Manage your touchpad
lapctl touchpad disable
lapctl touchpad enable
# Manage your display refresh rate
lapctl display rates
lapctl display set-rate 144
# Keep it awake (requires lapctld)
lapctl inhibit --daemon # Stay awake persistently (via daemon)
lapctl inhibit --stop # Allow sleep again
lapctl inhibit --why "Keeping awake" -- sleep 60 # One-shot (local)
# Check everything
lapctl status
Under the Hood
The project is structured for speed and modularity:
lapctl
│
├── src/
│ ├── main.rs # The entry point
│ ├── cli.rs # Command definition & parsing
│ ├── daemon/ # lapctld (D-Bus interface & logic)
│ ├── commands/ # CLI feature logic & proxies
│ ├── hardware/ # Hardware specific drivers (NVIDIA, etc.)
│ └── utils/ # System helpers
│
└── tests/ # Robust integration & unit tests
Development & Connection
We love seeing how you use lapctl!
- Contribute: Found a bug or have a feature idea? Open an issue or submit a Pull Request. We're always looking for help supporting more laptop brands!
- Testing: Please ensure all tests pass by running
cargo testbefore submitting changes. - Shoutout: Huge thanks to EnvyControl for the inspiration on graphics management.
License
This project is licensed under the MIT License. You are free to use, modify, and distribute it as you see fit. See LICENSE for the full text.