loginctl

Key facts

• unit: systemd-logind.service
• config: /etc/systemd/logind.conf
• tool: loginclt (Send control commands to or query the login manager)
• documentation: man logind.conf

Configuration file: lid related config

/etc/systemd/logind.conf (of course, you need to restart the service after a config update)

Understanding the situation

Default values

• HandleLidSwitch=suspend
• HandleLidSwitchExternalPower=suspend
• HandleLidSwitchDocked=ignore
• LidSwitchIgnoreInhibited=yes

For the first three keys, value can be one of ignore, poweroff, reboot, halt, kexec, suspend, hibernate, hybrid-sleep, suspend-then-hibernate, and lock. If ignore, logind will never handle these keys. If lock, all running sessions will be screen-locked; otherwise, the specified action will be taken in the respective event.

According to the man page

• If the system is inserted in a docking station, or if more than one display is connected, the action specified by HandleLidSwitchDocked= occurs; if the system is on external power the action (if any) specified by HandleLidSwitchExternalPower= occurs; otherwise the HandleLidSwitch= action occurs.
• PowerKeyIgnoreInhibited=, SuspendKeyIgnoreInhibited=, HibernateKeyIgnoreInhibited=, LidSwitchIgnoreInhibited= Controls whether actions that systemd-logind takes when the power and sleep keys and the lid switch are triggered are subject to high-level inhibitor locks (shutdown, sleep, idle). Low level inhibitor locks (handle-power-key, handle-suspend-key, handle-hibernate-key, handle-lid-switch), are always honored, irrespective of this setting.

Possible issues

Inside /etc/systemd/logind.conf

Invisible login screen ????

With HandleLidSwitch=suspend → TWO logins! If you are using Xfce: xfconf-query -c xfce4-power-manager -p /xfce4-power-manager/lock-screen-suspend-hibernate -s false