Ubuntu – How to call a number from command-line with Skype

command linephonepythonskypevoip

I've seen several links suggesting it is possible to make a call from the command-line with skype. The instructions suggest something along the lines of:

skype --callto:+14445551234

However, this gets me an error message, "skype: unrecognized option '–callto:+14445551234".

Is this possible?

Use case scenario:

I want to call a particular number frequently.

  • assuming skype client is already running and logged in.
  • I create a shortcut on my desktop, which runs skype --callto:+14445551234 or something similar.
  • Double-click the shortcut.
  • skype window pops up, immediately calling this number

Can this be done?

I know there is a Skype API. Can this be done from a normal skype installation on Ubuntu, without installing any developer tools?

EDIT: I am considering this question to be still open, because I would like to know if this is possible from a default installation of skype without any additional functionality.

However, the answer below regarding "Skype4Py" does answer the desired outcome, albeit with an additional tool. I will mark this as the answer if another is not forthcoming in a few weeks.

Best Answer

Very simple:

$> skype --help

Skype 4.3.0.37

Usage: skype [options]
Options:
  --dbpath=<path>       Specify an alternative path to store Skype data files.
                        Default: ~/.Skype
  --resources=<path>    Specify a path where Skype can find its resource files.
                        Default: /usr/share/skype
  --secondary           Start a secondary instance of Skype.
  --disable-api         Disable Skype Public API.
  --callto <nick>
  skype:<nick>?<action>
    [...]

Tested. It works. Not just with nicknames. Also with direct phone numbers:

$> skype --callto +494030001234

( this means: OPs main mistake was a colon instead of a space... )

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