$ Linux Command

System

startx

Start the X Window System graphical environment.

x11graphicaldisplayxorgwindow-system

Additional Notes

startx initializes the X Window System (X11) graphical environment from the command line. It is a front-end script that typically runs xinit with appropriate client and server options, providing a convenient way to start a graphical desktop session without a display manager.

When run, startx starts an X server (usually Xorg) and launches a client program (typically a window manager or desktop environment) specified in the user's ~/.xinitrc file. If no ~/.xinitrc exists, it falls back to system defaults. Using startx is common in minimal installations, server environments with occasional GUI needs, or when troubleshooting display issues.

Syntax

startx [client_options] [-- server_options]

Parameters

  • client_options: Options and program to run as the X client (passed to ~/.xinitrc or xterm).
  • server_options: Options after -- are passed to the X server (Xorg).

Common Options

  • -- vtN: Specify the virtual terminal number for the X server (e.g., vt1, vt7).
  • -- -depth N: Set the color depth (e.g., 16, 24, 32 bits).
  • -- -dpi N: Set the display resolution in dots per inch.
  • -- -layout name: Select a specific keyboard layout.
  • -- -keyboard name: Specify a keyboard device.
  • -- -mouse name: Specify a mouse device.
  • -- -nolisten tcp: Disable TCP listening (secure, default on most systems).
  • -- -terminate: Terminate the server when the last client exits.
  • -- -config file: Use an alternative Xorg configuration file.
  • -- -logfile file: Specify the Xorg log file location.
  • client_options: A command to run as the X client. If not specified, ~/.xinitrc is used.

Example ~/.xinitrc

#!/bin/sh
xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources
exec openbox-session

Examples

startx

Start the default X session using ~/.xinitrc.

startx -- -depth 16 -dpi 100

Start X with 16-bit color depth and 100 DPI.

startx /usr/bin/i3

Start the i3 window manager directly (ignore ~/.xinitrc).

startx /usr/bin/twm -- vt1

Start the simple Tab Window Manager on virtual terminal 1.

startx -- -config /etc/X11/xorg.conf.bak

Start X with an alternative configuration file.

Practical Notes

  • ~/.xinitrc should end with exec window-manager to replace the script process with the WM.
  • If no ~/.xinitrc exists, startx runs xterm by default.
  • Display managers (GDM, SDDM, LightDM) are the modern alternative to startx.
  • The X server log is at ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log or /var/log/Xorg.0.log.
  • Use startx -- vt1 to start X on the first unused virtual terminal.
  • Kill the X server with Ctrl+Alt+Backspace (if enabled) or switch to another VT with Ctrl+Alt+F2.
  • Modern Wayland systems use wayland-session or display managers instead of startx.