How can I launch Openbox when I log in?

Question

I read a few articles about the super-minimal window manager Openbox.

I would like to set it up on elementary OS, but it's just not a desktop environment. I would like to run Openbox after I login (just like I can select Kodi). How can I do that?

Are there other recommendations that I have to take to implement Openbox successfully?

Answer 1

To do this in a clean way, you will have to create a custom GNOME session file and a X Server session file (first, install openbox via sudo apt-get install openbox obconf menu of course). Let's take a look at the two files currently present:

• /usr/share/xsessions/pantheon.desktop (X Server session file):

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Pantheon
Comment=This session provides elementary experience
Exec=gnome-session --session=pantheon
TryExec=wingpanel
Icon=
Type=Application

• /usr/share/gnome-session/sessions/pantheon.session (GNOME session file for Pantheon):

[GNOME Session]
Name=Pantheon
RequiredComponents=gala;gnome-settings-daemon;
FallbackSession=ubuntu
DesktopName=Pantheon

So, to create your own Openbox session, you need to create two new files:

• /usr/share/xsessions/pantheon-openbox.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Name=Pantheon-Openbox
Comment=This session provides a custom Openbox experience
Exec=gnome-session --session=pantheon-openbox
TryExec=wingpanel
Icon=
Type=Application

• /usr/share/gnome-session/sessions/pantheon-openbox.session

[GNOME Session]
Name=Pantheon-Openbox
RequiredComponents=openbox;gnome-settings-daemon;
FallbackSession=ubuntu
DesktopName=Pantheon-Openbox

You are now able to select your custom session upon login.

Keep in mind that neither Wingpanel nor the GNOME technology stack is really created for working with such a session - while it might work, you can expect rough edges. I really would not recommend to use it that way, but it's an answer to your question. Use on your own risk, of course. There is no real benefit Openbox is offering over Gala, especially in terms of integration with technologies used by elementary OS.