Trackp Deployment Script

Overview

The Trackp Deployment Script automates the installation, configuration, and management of a custom TrackPoint acceleration setting for Linux systems. The script:

• Ensures Root Access: Verifies that the script is run as root.
• Installs the Trackp Script: Copies itself to /usr/local/bin/trackp so it can be run as a command.
• Creates a Systemd Service Unit: Sets up a one-shot service to run the TrackPoint acceleration adjustment using xinput.
  • The unit is configured to run after the graphical target (ensuring that X11 is available).
  • It explicitly sets the DISPLAY and XAUTHORITY environment variables.
• Numeric Value Conversion: Accepts an integer value from 1 to 10 and converts it to a decimal between 0.1 and 1.0 for the libinput Accel Speed property.
• Bash Autocompletion: Installs a Bash completion file to /etc/bash_completion.d/trackp so that autocompletion is available by default.
• Command-Line Options: Provides built-in options:
  • -help: Displays usage instructions.
  • -uninstall: Removes the installed script, its systemd service, and the Bash autocompletion file.

Installation

1. Download the Script:
   Save the deployment script (e.g., as /home/$USER/Downloads/Trackp.sh).

2. Make It Executable:

   sudo chmod +x /home/$USER/Downloads/Trackp.sh

3. Run the Script as Root:
   From its original location, install the script by running:

   sudo /home/$USER/Downloads/Trackp.sh

   This action will:

   • Copy the script to /usr/local/bin/trackp
   • Create and enable a systemd service that applies a default acceleration value of 0.5
   • Install a Bash autocompletion file in /etc/bash_completion.d/trackp

4. Verify Installation:
   Open a new terminal (or source the Bash completion file with source /etc/bash_completion.d/trackp) and type:

   trackp [TAB]

   to see available completions. You can then update the TrackPoint acceleration by running:

   sudo trackp <value>

   where <value> is an integer between 1 and 10 (e.g., sudo trackp 6 sets the acceleration to 0.6).

Usage

Command-Line Options

• Update Acceleration Value:

  sudo trackp <acceleration_value>

  Example:

  sudo trackp 6

  This converts the input to 0.6 and updates the systemd service accordingly.

• Help:

  sudo trackp -help

  Displays the usage information.

• Uninstall:

  sudo trackp -uninstall

  Uninstalls the Trackp script, stops and disables the systemd service, and removes the Bash autocompletion file.

How It Works

• Systemd Service:
  The service unit is defined to run after the graphical session is up. It sets the following environment variables:

  • DISPLAY=:0
  • XAUTHORITY=/home/vex/.Xauthority

  It then runs the command:

  xinput set-prop "pointer:TPPS/2 IBM TrackPoint" "libinput Accel Speed" <value>

  where <value> is a floating‑point number (0.1–1.0).

• Numeric Conversion:
  The script accepts an integer (1–10) from the user, converts it by dividing by 10 (using a forced locale so that the decimal separator is a dot), and updates the ExecStart command in the service unit.

• Bash Autocompletion:
  A completion file is installed in /etc/bash_completion.d/trackp, which provides suggestions for options (-help, -uninstall) and numbers (1–10) when using the trackp command.

Uninstallation

To remove all installed components, run:

sudo trackp -uninstall

This command will:

• Stop and disable the trackp.service
• Remove the service file and its symlink
• Delete the installed script from /usr/local/bin/trackp
• Remove the Bash autocompletion file from /etc/bash_completion.d/trackp

Requirements

• Linux Mint (or compatible Linux distribution) with Cinnamon on X11.
• xinput: Ensure this utility is installed.
• Root Privileges: The script and its components require root access.

Logging

The script provides output to the console. For troubleshooting systemd-related issues, consult the logs using:

journalctl -xeu trackp.service

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License.

Author

Bruno Bellizzi Grande
Last updated: March 13, 2025