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Last active January 27, 2026 18:38
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debian-minimal-x11.md

How to setup a minimal X11 environment on Debian GNU/Linux

  1. Install the following packages

    • xserver-xorg-core (server)
    • xserver-xorg-video-XXX (video driver, XXX depends on your hardware)
    • xserver-xorg-input-XXX (input device driver, XXX depends on your hardware. evdev works well for most cases)
    • x11-xserver-utils (xmodmap, xrandr)
    • x11-xkb-utils (setxkbmap)
    • x11-utils (xdpyinfo, xev, xkill, xprop, xwininfo)
    • xinit (startx)
    • your favorite terminal emulator
    • your favorite window manager

  2. Create a minimal ~/.xinitrc

    #!/bin/sh
your-favorite-termianl-emulator &
exec your-favorite-window-manager

  3. Run startx from the console

  4. Add anything you need (fonts, panels, input methods, etc.)

@polandonion
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polandonion commented Jan 27, 2026

very helpful

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