My "solution" looks like this: #!/bin/bash for output in $(xrandr --current | grep -e "DVI[^\ ]*" -o) do xrandr --output $output --brightness $1

My "solution" looks like this: #!/bin/bash for output in $(xrandr --current | grep -e "DVI[^\ ]*" -o) do xrandr --output $output --brightness $1 done Bound this script to super+(1-6) for values of 1.0-0.5 and it handles all of my brightness adjusting needs. 0.5 for "I just woke up" and 1.0 for watching movies. It obviously isn't automatic, but I personally think that's a benefit... And yes, the script could be made nicer, but it works for me, which is enough.