how do I specify the desktop manager to run from CLI?

newbiesforever · 08-16-2012, 08:08 PM

If I've logged in at a command line and want to start my GUI from there (by entering startx), but have more than one desktop environment, how would I specify which to start? I know only how to start a desktop environment (startx). I'm interested in both how to choose the desktop once at the CL and how to specify the the default desktop permanently (I assume that's in a certain file).

evo2 · 08-16-2012, 08:26 PM

Hi,

you can put it in your ~/.xsession or ~/.xinitrc (make sure it is exectable).

Eg. I have the following as the last line in my ~/.xsession

Code:

% tail -1 .xsession
exec ck-launch-session awesome

Check the startx man page for details. And GIYF　;-)

Evo2.

TobiSGD · 08-17-2012, 05:15 AM

You can use Debian's alternatives system to switch the default DE/WM on Debian and derivatives.

Code:

update-alternatives --config x-window-manager

should give you a menu where you can choose the WM/DE to launch with startx.