Xorg

Xorg is [[Article description::an open source implementation of the X Window System.]]

Installation

There are many ways to get the X server in Gentoo, however a common method is to emerge one of the two packages:

As seen from the descriptions above, those who desire a more minimal X server implementation should choose the first package.

USE flags

xorg-server

USE flags for x11-base/xorg-server X.Org X servers

debug Enable extra debug codepaths, like asserts and extra output. If you want to get meaningful backtraces see https://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Project:Quality_Assurance/Backtraces
dmx Build the Distributed Multiheaded X server
doc Add extra documentation (API, Javadoc, etc). It is recommended to enable per package instead of globally
elogind Use elogind to get control over framebuffer when running as regular user
ipv6 Add support for IP version 6
kdrive Build the kdrive X servers
libressl Use dev-libs/libressl instead of dev-libs/openssl when applicable (see also the ssl useflag)
minimal Install a very minimal build (disables, for example, plugins, fonts, most drivers, non-critical features)
selinux !!internal use only!! Security Enhanced Linux support, this must be set by the selinux profile or breakage will occur
suid Enable setuid root program, with potential security risks
systemd Enable use of systemd-specific libraries and features like socket activation or session tracking
test Enable dependencies and/or preparations necessary to run tests (usually controlled by FEATURES=test but can be toggled independently)
udev Enable virtual/udev integration (device discovery, power and storage device support, etc)
unwind Enable libunwind usage for backtraces
wayland Enable dev-libs/wayland backend
xcsecurity Build Security extension
xephyr Build the Xephyr server
xnest Build the Xnest server
xorg Build the Xorg X server (HIGHLY RECOMMENDED)
xvfb Build the Xvfb server
Data provided by the Gentoo Package Database · Last update: 2021-03-11 16:18 More information about USE flags

xorg-x11

Note
This metapackage does not have any USE flags of its own.

The X USE flag

Many packages can be built with optional x11 support by activating the global X USE flag (if not already activated by profile selection).

Emerge

xorg-server

Just the necessary components:

root #emerge --ask x11-base/xorg-server

xorg-x11

The full Xorg suite via the meta package:

root #emerge --ask x11-base/xorg-x11
Note
Getting a working graphical environment (including popular desktops like KDE and Gnome) requires additional configuration before emerging one of these packages. See the more extensive Xorg Guide for details.

Troubleshooting

X server starts and dies unexpectedly with no errors

Problem: Running startx will start the X server, however it will immediately die without any errors (searching "EE" in /var/log/Xorg.0.log returns no related results).

Cause: an empty .xinitrc file exists for the user who is running the startx command, so the X server is starting, then stopping because there is nothing left for it to do.

Resolution: Either remove the .xinitrc file or define a window manager inside it.

Reproducible via:

user $touch ~/.xinitrc

See also

  • Xorg/Guide — explains what Xorg is, how to install it, and the various configuration options.
  • Xorg/Hardware 3D acceleration guide — a guide to getting 3D acceleration working using the DRM with Xorg in Gentoo.
  • X server — the main component of the X Window system which abstracts the hardware and provides the foundation for most graphical user interfaces, like desktop environments or window managers, and their applications.
  • Xrandr — X protocol extension and its CLI tool xrandr are used to manage screen resolutions, rotation and screens with multiply displays in X
  • Non root Xorg — describes how an unprivileged user can run Xorg without using suid.
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