====== How To: Display Real-Time CPU Usage In Total Launcher ======
<WRAP centeralign><wrap button>[[:howto:howto-tasker_macrodroid-cpu_usage#using_tasker|Tasker]]</wrap> ← or → <wrap button>[[:howto:howto-tasker_macrodroid-cpu_usage#using_macrodroid|MacroDroid]]</wrap></WRAP>

===== Using Tasker =====

Due to Android platform security and SELinux restrictions introduced in Android 8.0+ (Oreo), Total Launcher can no longer read system CPU metrics directly from ''/proc/stat''. This guide details how to query system CPU usage via elevated ADB/Shizuku shell commands in **Tasker** and push that value into a **Total Launcher Text Variable** on the home screen.

<WRAP info>
**Prerequisites:**
  * **Total Launcher** (installed and set as default or active Launcher).
  * **Tasker** (with ADB WiFi / Shizuku / Root permissions enabled to run shell dumps).
  * 5–10 minutes for setup and verification.
</WRAP>

==== Create the CPU Variable Object in Total Launcher ====

Before setting up the background broadcast, create the graphic text element in Total Launcher that will listen for the value.
  - Enter Edit mode in Total Launcher (long-press empty space or tap the Launcher edit handle).
  - Tap **Add** (+) > **Graphic** > **Default** > **Text**.
  - Tap the newly placed text object to open its property dialog, then select the **Edit (Gear/Pencil)** icon.
  - In the text input field:
    - Delete the default text placeholder.
    - Scroll through the dynamic insert options and choose **Advanced: Variable** (or format the variable tag manually).
    - Set the variable placeholder to:
      * <code>%cpu_val%</code>
    - (Note: Can add suffix text if desired, e.g., <nowiki>"CPU: %cpu_val%"</nowiki> to output ''CPU: 18%''). 
  - Adjust typography, font color, size, and alignment to suit the theme layout.
  - Tap the checkmark to confirm and exit Edit mode.

==== Build the Query Task in Tasker ====

Now create the task that samples current CPU load and sends the broadcast intent to Total Launcher.
  - Create the Task
    - Open **Tasker** and switch to the **Tasks** tab.
    - Tap the **+** button at the bottom right to create a new task and name it:
      * ''Update TL CPU''
  - Query CPU Utilization (Run Shell)
    - Tap **+** to add an action.
    - Select **Code** > **Run Shell** (or use Shizuku / Tasker ADB command).
    - Enter the preferred command into the **Command** field:
      * **Instantaneous Snapshot (`top`):** Captures immediate execution load:
        <code>top -b -n 1 | grep -E "User|CPU" | head -n 1</code>
          * This code can produce a multi-line report as suggested by Redditor u/osmols_b with the sample ++shown here|{{:howto:howto-tasker_macrodroid-cpu_usage-multi_image_by-u_osmols_b.webp?direct&200}}++
      * **Smoothed Rolling Average (`dumpsys`):** Calculates average load across a rolling ~60–90 second window:
        <code>dumpsys cpuinfo | grep "TOTAL:" | awk '{print $1}'</code>
    - Under **Store Output In**, enter:
      * <code>%cpu_raw</code>
    - Ensure **Use Root** or **Use ADB WiFi / Shizuku** is checked (unprivileged standard shell cannot read top system processes on modern Android versions).
  - Parse and Format the Percentage
    * Depending on the shell command output, extract the numeric value:
    - Tap **+** > **Variables** > **Variable Search Replace**.
    - **Variable:** ''%cpu_raw''
    - **Search:** ''[0-9]+(?=%)'' (or ''[0-9]+'' to match the first integer).
    - Check **Store Matches In Array**: ''%cpu_out''.
    - *(Optional)* If ''%cpu_out1'' is empty, set a fallback: **Variable** > **Variable Set** > Name ''%cpu_val'' To ''%cpu_out1'' (or To ''0'' if unset).
  - Broadcast the Variable to Total Launcher
    * Total Launcher supports direct integration via the plugin as well as standard broadcast intents.
    - **Option A (Using the Total Launcher Tasker Plugin):**
      - Tap **+** > **Plugin** > **Total Launcher**.
      - Select **Configuration** / **Edit**.
      - Choose **Set Variable**.
      - Set **Variable Name**: ''cpu_val''
      - Set **Value**: ''%cpu_val''
      - Tap the checkmark to save the plugin action.
    - **Option B (Using Send Intent):**
      - Tap **+** > **System** > **Send Intent**.
      - **Action:** ''com.ss.launcher.total.action.SET_VARIABLE''
      - **Package:** ''com.ss.launcher2''
      - **Extra:** ''var:cpu_val''
      - **Extra:** ''value:%cpu_val''
      - **Target:** ''Broadcast Receiver''

==== Automate the Refresh Schedule ====
    * Because continuous 1-second sampling can consume battery, an interval of 5 to 15 seconds while the display is active is recommended.
    - In Tasker, navigate to the **Profiles** tab.
    - Tap **+** > **State** > **Display** > **Display State** > Set to **On**.
    - Link this profile to the task ''Update TL CPU''.
    - Open the task and add a loop structure (or use a **Time Context** repeating every 2 minutes for ambient monitoring):
      - **Anchor:** ''LoopStart''
      - **Perform Action:** (Execute shell & send variable steps)
      - **Task** > **Wait** > Set to ''5 Seconds'' (or ''10 Seconds'').
      - **Task** > **Goto** > Type: ''Action Label'' > Label: ''LoopStart'' (Add condition: ''IF %SCREEN ~ on'').

<WRAP tip>
**Tip:** Add a manual refresh tap action! In Total Launcher, select the CPU text element, open its **Tap Action**, select **Tasker Task**, and link it directly to ''Update TL CPU''. Tapping the on-screen text instantly updates the CPU reading on demand.
</WRAP>

----

===== Using MacroDroid =====

Following the SELinux restrictions implemented in modern Android versions, Total Launcher cannot query ''/proc/stat'' directly for system CPU data. This guide walks through configuring **MacroDroid** (via ADB Hack or Shizuku) to extract live CPU utilization and update a **Total Launcher Text Variable** on the home screen.

<WRAP info>
**Prerequisites:**
  * **Total Launcher** (installed and running).
  * **MacroDroid** with elevated permissions enabled (granted via **Shizuku** or via one-time PC ADB command: ''adb shell pm grant com.arlosoft.macrodroid android.permission.DUMP'').
  * 5–10 minutes for setup and verification.
</WRAP>

==== Create the CPU Variable Object in Total Launcher ====
  * First, set up the on-screen graphic text item that displays the received value.
  - Long-press an empty space or tap the Launcher edit handle to enter Edit mode.
  - Tap **Add** (+) > **Graphic** > **Default** > **Text**.
  - Tap the new text item to open its property dialog, then select the **Edit (Gear/Pencil)** icon.
  - In the text input field:
    - Clear the default text.
    - Insert the custom variable placeholder:
      * <code>%cpu_val%</code>
    - (Note: You can include custom labels or formatting, e.g., <nowiki>"CPU: %cpu_val%"</nowiki> to output ''CPU: 24%'').
  - Adjust typography, size, color, and positioning as desired.
  - Tap the checkmark to save and exit Edit mode.

==== Configure MacroDroid Variables ====
  * Before building the macro, configure two local variables to store the raw output and the parsed numeric percentage.
  - Open **MacroDroid** and tap **Variables** (or expand the **Variables** drawer at the bottom of the Macro edit screen).
  - Tap **+** to add a new variable:
    - **Name:** ''cpu_raw''
    - **Type:** **String**
  - Tap **+** to add a second variable:
    - **Name:** ''cpu_val''
    - **Type:** **String** (or **Integer**)

==== Build the Macro in MacroDroid ====
  - **Create the Macro and Define Triggers**
    - Open **MacroDroid** and tap **Add Macro**.
    - Set the macro name at the top to:
      * ''Update TL CPU''
    - Under **Triggers** (red section), tap **+**:
      * **Screen & Speaker** > **Screen On/Off** > **Screen On**.
    - *(Optional secondary trigger for ambient updates):*
      * Tap **+** under Triggers > **Date/Time** > **Regular Interval** > Set to **10 seconds** (or **30 seconds**) > Under Constraints, add **Screen On** so it only fires while the display is awake.
  - **Query System CPU Load**
    - Under **Actions** (blue section), tap **+**.
    - Navigate to **Applications** > **Shell Script**.
    - In the script editor:
      - Select **Shizuku** or **ADB Hack** (do not use Non-rooted unless granted dump rights).
      - Enter your preferred command into the script field:
        * **Instantaneous Snapshot (`top`):**
          <code>top -b -n 1 | grep -E "User|CPU" | head -n 1</code>
        * **Smoothed Rolling Average (`dumpsys`):**
          <code>dumpsys cpuinfo | grep "TOTAL:" | awk '{print $1}'</code>
      - Under **Output to variable**, select:
        * <code>cpu_raw</code>
    - Tap **OK** to save the action.
  - **Parse and Clean the Output**
    * Strip extra formatting or percentage signs to isolate the pure numeric value:
    - Tap **+** under Actions > **Variables** > **Text Manipulation**.
    - Select **Extract text (Regex)**.
      - **Source variable:** ''cpu_raw''
      - **Regular expression:**
        * <code>[0-9]+</code>
      - **Destination variable:** ''cpu_val''
    - Tap **OK**.
  - **Broadcast the Variable to Total Launcher**
    * Send the broadcast intent directly to Total Launcher's receiver:
    - Tap **+** under Actions > **Connectivity** > **Send Intent**.
    - Configure the intent parameters exactly as follows:
      - **Action:** ''com.ss.launcher.total.action.SET_VARIABLE''
      - **Package:** ''com.ss.launcher2''
      - **Target:** **Broadcast**
      - **Extra 1 parameter:** ''var''
      - **Extra 1 value:** ''cpu_val''
      - **Extra 2 parameter:** ''value''
      - **Extra 2 value:** ''[lv=cpu_val]'' *(Select via the triple-dot menu or type `[lv=cpu_val]` to pass the local variable)*
    - Tap **OK** to save the action.
  - **Save and Test**
    - Tap the back arrow or the checkmark icon in the bottom-right corner to save the macro.
    - In the macro overview screen, tap the three dots in the upper-right corner and select **Run Actions** (or **Test Macro**) to test execution.
    - Return to the home screen; the text object will reflect the current live CPU percentage.

<WRAP tip>
**Tip:** To update CPU readings on demand, open Total Launcher's Edit mode, tap the CPU text object, choose **Tap Action** > **Launch Shortcut** > **MacroDroid** > **Run Macro**, and link it to ''Update TL CPU''.
</WRAP>

----

===== Advanced: Total CPU + Top Consuming Apps =====

For a multi-line diagnostic widget displaying total machine load alongside the top three CPU-consuming processes, execute this command in your Tasker or MacroDroid shell action:

<code bash>
dumpsys cpuinfo | awk '/TOTAL:/ {total=$1} /^[ ]*[0-9]+(\.[0-9]+)?%/ && count < 3 {split($2, p, "/"); split(p[2], name, ":"); apps = apps "\n" $1 " " name[1]; count++} END {print "TOTAL:" total apps}'
</code>

This produces a multi-line string formatted like:
<code>
TOTAL:10%
19% system_server
10% surfaceflinger
10% net.dinglisch.android.taskerm
</code>

Pass this entire multi-line string directly to Total Launcher without regex stripping to show a full diagnostic readout inside a multi-line text object.

<WRAP info>
**Why Individual Process Percentages Don't Add Up to TOTAL:**
In Android's Linux shell metrics, individual process percentages are measured against a **single core's capacity** (100% = 1 core fully saturated; an 8-core CPU tops out at 800%). The ''TOTAL:'' line is normalized across the **entire chipset** (100% = whole device capacity). For example, 39% single-core equivalent spread across eight cores accounts for ~4.87% of total SoC power. Added to background kernel workers and I/O wait, the true machine-wide load lands at 10%.
</WRAP>