Hack 46. Run Skype from the Command Line
You can control how Skype is launched and behaves by running it from the command line with options. Works with: Windows and Linux versions of Skype. Skype runs in a graphical Windows environment. Nevertheless, for those diehards for whom anything but the command line is a strange and alien environment, there is good news. You can run Skype from the command line with options. Even for those lesser mortals who are comfortable with the GUI in general, and with Skype in particular, running Skype from the command line offers some distinct benefits in terms of additional flexibility. Command-line options can be particularly useful when you combine them with shortcuts (see "Add Fast-Dial Shortcuts to Your Menu or Desktop" [Hack #49]).
4.5.1. WindowsThe Windows version of Skype currently supports the command-line options shown in Table 4-3.
Here are some things to try with command-line options entered in a command window (Start All Programs Accessories Command Prompt) or from the run line (Start Run, but if you choose this method, enter commands using quotes, like this: "Skype.exe "/callto:echo123"). All of the following examples assume you have put the folder containing Skype.exe on your path:
4.5.2. LinuxThe Linux version of Skype currently supports the command-line options shown in Table 4-4.
To make a call from the command line on Linux, enter this at the prompt in a terminal window, and press Enter: /usr/local/bin/skype --callto:echo123 & |