Openbox Window Manager Setup Guide for Arch Linux

Openbox is an extremely lightweight and fast window manager that provides a minimal desktop environment perfect for older hardware, resource-constrained systems, or users who prefer a streamlined computing experience. This guide walks you through the complete installation and configuration process on Arch Linux.

What is Openbox?

Openbox is a stacking window manager that focuses on speed, simplicity, and standards compliance. Unlike full desktop environments like GNOME or KDE, Openbox provides just the window management functionality, allowing you to build a custom desktop experience tailored to your needs.

Key Benefits:

Extremely lightweight: Minimal system resource usage
Fast startup: Boots significantly faster than full desktop environments
Highly customizable: Extensive theming and configuration options
Standards compliant: Follows freedesktop.org specifications
Stable and mature: Well-tested and reliable codebase

Prerequisites

Before starting, ensure you have:

A working Arch Linux installation
Root or sudo access for package installation
Basic familiarity with command-line operations
X11 display server (will be installed as part of this guide)

Installation Process

Step 1: Install Required Packages

Install Openbox and essential components using the pacman package manager:

sudo pacman -Sy --noconfirm --needed openbox xorg-server xorg-xinit xterm greetd greetd-tuigreet ttf-dejavu ttf-liberation

Package Breakdown:

openbox: The window manager itself
xorg-server: X11 display server
xorg-xinit: X11 initialization scripts
xterm: Basic terminal emulator
greetd: Modern display manager
greetd-tuigreet: Text-based greeter for greetd
ttf-dejavu & ttf-liberation: Essential fonts for proper text rendering

Step 2: Configure Display Manager

Configure greetd

Edit the greetd configuration file to use the TUI greeter:

sudo nano /etc/greetd/config.toml

Add the following configuration:

[terminal]
vt = 1
 
[default_session]
command = "tuigreet --cmd startx"
user = "greeter"

Configuration Explanation:

vt = 1: Uses virtual terminal 1 for the greeter
command = "tuigreet --cmd startx": Launches the TUI greeter with startx command
user = "greeter": Runs the greeter as the greeter user

Step 3: Configure X11 Initialization

Create the X11 initialization script for your user:

nano ~/.xinitrc

Add the following content:

exec openbox-session

This tells X11 to start Openbox when the X server launches.

Step 4: Enable and Start Services

Enable and start the greetd service:

sudo systemctl enable --now greetd

The --now flag both enables the service for boot and starts it immediately.

Post-Installation Configuration

Basic Openbox Configuration

Openbox stores its configuration in ~/.config/openbox/. The main configuration files are:

rc.xml: Main configuration file for keybindings, themes, and behavior
menu.xml: Right-click context menu configuration
autostart: Applications to launch automatically

Generate default configuration files:

mkdir -p ~/.config/openbox
cp /etc/xdg/openbox/* ~/.config/openbox/

Essential Applications

Since Openbox is minimal, you’ll want to install additional applications:

File Manager:

sudo pacman -S thunar  # Or use ranger for terminal-based file management

For comprehensive file management operations and advanced ranger usage, see the ranger file manager cheatsheet.

Application Launcher:

sudo pacman -S dmenu rofi  # Lightweight application launchers

System Panel:

sudo pacman -S tint2  # Lightweight panel/taskbar

Network Manager:

sudo pacman -S network-manager-applet

Customization Options

Themes:

Install additional themes: sudo pacman -S openbox-themes
Configure themes in ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml

Keybindings:

Customize keyboard shortcuts in ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml
Common shortcuts include window management, application launching, and workspace switching

Autostart Applications:

Add applications to ~/.config/openbox/autostart
Include system tray applications, wallpaper setters, and other utilities

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Black Screen After Login:

Verify .xinitrc exists and contains exec openbox-session
Check X11 logs: journalctl -u display-manager

No Mouse Cursor:

Install cursor theme: sudo pacman -S xcursor-themes

Applications Not Launching:

Ensure applications are installed and in PATH
Check if additional dependencies are needed

Font Rendering Issues:

Install additional fonts: sudo pacman -S noto-fonts
Configure fontconfig if needed

Performance Optimization

Reduce Startup Time:

Remove unnecessary applications from autostart
Use lightweight alternatives for common applications
Disable unused services

Memory Usage:

Monitor resource usage with htop
Use terminal-based applications when possible
Configure swap appropriately for your system

Security Considerations

Keep greetd and Openbox updated regularly
Use strong authentication methods
Consider additional security tools for system monitoring
Review autostart applications for potential security risks

Advanced Configuration

Package Management Integration

Since Openbox requires manual installation of applications, efficient package management becomes crucial. The pacman cheatsheet provides comprehensive commands for:

Searching packages: Use pacman -Ss application-name to find lightweight alternatives
Installing groups: Install entire desktop component groups with sudo pacman -S group-name
Managing dependencies: Remove orphaned packages with sudo pacman -Rs $(pacman -Qtdq)
System maintenance: Keep your minimal system updated and optimized

This integration ensures your Openbox environment remains lean while having access to necessary applications.

Multiple Monitor Setup

For multi-monitor configurations, use xrandr:

xrandr --output HDMI-1 --right-of eDP-1

Add monitor configuration to ~/.config/openbox/autostart for persistence.

Integration with Other Tools

Terminal Multiplexer: Consider using tmux for enhanced terminal management with features like session persistence, pane splitting, and custom keybindings that complement Openbox’s lightweight philosophy.

Development Environment: Configure Neovim for code editing within the lightweight environment. The comprehensive Neovim guide covers LSP setup, plugin management, and productivity features that work excellently in minimal desktop environments.

References and Resources

Questions Answered in This Document

Q: What is Openbox and why should I use it? A: Openbox is an extremely lightweight window manager that provides fast startup times and minimal resource usage, making it ideal for older hardware or users who prefer a streamlined desktop experience.

Q: How do I install Openbox on Arch Linux? A: Install using pacman: sudo pacman -Sy openbox xorg-server xorg-xinit xterm greetd greetd-tuigreet ttf-dejavu ttf-liberation, then configure greetd and create a .xinitrc file.

Q: What display manager should I use with Openbox? A: This guide uses greetd with tuigreet, which is lightweight and modern, but you can also use other display managers like LightDM or SDDM.

Q: How do I configure Openbox after installation? A: Copy default configuration files to ~/.config/openbox/ and customize rc.xml for keybindings and themes, menu.xml for context menus, and autostart for automatic applications.

Q: What applications should I install with Openbox? A: Essential applications include a file manager (Thunar), application launcher (dmenu/rofi), system panel (tint2), and network manager applet for a complete desktop experience.

Q: How do I troubleshoot a black screen after login? A: Check that .xinitrc exists and contains exec openbox-session, verify X11 logs with journalctl -u display-manager, and ensure all required packages are installed.

Q: Can I use Openbox with multiple monitors? A: Yes, configure multi-monitor setups using xrandr commands and add them to the ~/.config/openbox/autostart file for persistence.

Q: How do I customize Openbox themes and appearance? A: Install additional themes with sudo pacman -S openbox-themes and configure them in the ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml file under the theme section.

Q: Is Openbox suitable for daily use? A: Yes, Openbox is stable and mature, suitable for daily use especially on systems where performance and resource usage are priorities, though it requires more manual configuration than full desktop environments.

Q: How do I add a system panel or taskbar to Openbox? A: Install and configure a lightweight panel like tint2 (sudo pacman -S tint2) and add it to your ~/.config/openbox/autostart file to launch automatically.

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