Getting Started with My Pro Conky Theme

This article explains how to use my Conky Pro theme, including its structure, configuration, and workflow. Please note that this guide is written specifically for my Pro version, so some steps, file names, or behaviors may differ from other Conky themes or versions created by different authors.

Requirements

Before applying the theme, make sure the applications listed below are installed on your system. Although not all of them are used in every setup, the themes I create are designed to work around this ecosystem of tools, and some features may rely on them to function properly.

• Conky (1.10.8 or newer)
  Conky is the main system monitor used by my Pro version theme to render all visual elements, including text, graphs, and Lua-based components. It serves as the core engine of the entire theme.
  
  To check the installed version, open a terminal and run:
  conky -v
• Lua (5.3 or newer)
  Lua is used by the Pro version theme to handle custom logic, calculations, and drawing functions that extend Conky’s capabilities. It allows the theme to create advanced layouts and dynamic visual behavior beyond standard Conky features.
  
  To check the installed Lua version, open a terminal and run:
  lua -v
• curl
  curl is used by the Pro version theme to retrieve external data from the internet, such as weather information or other online resources required by certain widgets.
  
  To check if curl is installed, open a terminal and run:
  curl --version
• Cairo (graphics library)
  Cairo is a 2D graphics library used by Lua scripts in the Pro version theme to draw shapes, backgrounds, and custom visual elements. While it is not usually installed manually, it is required for Lua-based drawing to work correctly and is typically included when Conky is built with Cairo support.
  
  To verify Cairo support in Conky, run the following command:
  conky -v
• jq
  jq is a lightweight command-line JSON processor used by the Pro version theme to parse and extract data from API responses, such as weather or system-related information.
  
  To check if jq is installed, open a terminal and run:
  jq --version
• playerctl
  playerctl is used by the Pro version theme to retrieve media playback information from supported music players, such as track title, artist, and playback status.
  
  To check if playerctl is installed, open a terminal and run:
  playerctl --version
• Conky Manager2 (optional)
  Optional graphical interface for launching and managing Conky themes.

Before Installation

Before installing a pro theme, make sure the following requirements are completed:

• Ensure all required dependencies listed in the Requirements section are already installed.
• Choose the ZIP file that matches your screen size (currently available for 1366×768 and 1920×1080).
• Extract the theme ZIP file and move the extracted folder to ~/.config/conky. If the directory does not exist, create it first.
• Open fonts folder and make sure all required fonts are installed, Installation guide: How to Install Fonts on Linux

Some advantages of the Pro version compared to the free version:

• The script works out of the box without any modification by automatically detecting your location via IP address. For higher accuracy, you can optionally obtain your local city_id and insert it into weather-advanced-v4.3.sh inside the scripts folder. Guide: (link will be added)
• The battery indicator works automatically without changing the BAT0 or BAT1 argument.
• The wireless network interface is detected automatically, so no manual configuration is required.
• All assets are rendered using Lua, minimizing black backgrounds and preventing PNG images from appearing incorrectly transparent due to transparency settings.

How to Run the Theme

1. Open a terminal and prepare the startup script:

cd ~/.config/conky/theme-name
chmod +x start.sh

2. Start the theme:

./start.sh

The theme will start using default settings with automatic system detection.

Alternative method: You can also start Mimosa Pro using Conky Manager 2.

Open Conky Manager 2, then check (enable) the following configuration path:

~/.config/conky/theme-name/theme-name.conf

Once enabled, Mimosa Pro will start automatically with Conky Manager 2.

Configuring pro theme (After First Run)

After confirming the theme runs correctly, you can customize it using the theme manager script:

cd ~/.config/conky/Mimosa
./theme-manager.sh

Change the preset by entering the number of your choice, then finish by selecting option 9. Done — it’s that simple.

FAQ

Q: Does this Pro theme work on all Linux distributions?
A: Yes, as long as Conky 1.10.8 or newer is installed.

Q: Do I need to edit files manually?
A: No. Most system values are detected automatically.

Q: Why does the weather module not show data?
A: Make sure a valid OpenWeatherMap API key is properly configured.

Q: Can I change presets while the theme is running?
A: Yes. Presets can be changed via the theme manager, which will automatically restart the theme.

Q: Is this Pro theme free to redistribute?
A: No. This Pro theme is proprietary and intended for paid users only.

Conclusion

This Pro theme is designed for users who want a reliable, clean, and well-structured Conky setup without unnecessary complexity. With fully Lua-rendered visuals, smart system detection, and multiple color presets, it delivers a polished desktop experience right out of the box.

Need Help Using the Theme?

Got questions about how to install or customize the theme? Feel free to reach out — I'm happy to help!

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