Boot directly into an X application

yuvadm · 2016-06-01 11:08:56

I'm setting up an Arch installation that should run unsupervised and whenever it boots up should auto-login as a dummy user and automatically run a specific X application. The entire scenario is similar to so-called "kiosk mode" on other devices.

Can I just setup a systemd service that will launch my X application? Do I need a DM that will auto-login before the systemd target starts? Can I just auto-login the user, use https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Sy … ay_manager and stick my X executable in .xinitrc?

Curious what approaches I can use here.

Last edited by yuvadm (2016-06-01 11:13:09)

ewaller · 2016-06-01 14:04:40

I would run startx from your one of your Bash startup files.
Your ~/.xinitrc would pass control to your program, without a window manager, by using exec theNameOfYourProgram
When your program exits, you will fall back to the login shell. You can make your ~/.xinitrc restart it if you need to.

yuvadm · 2016-06-01 14:25:31

ewaller wrote:

I would run startx from your one of your Bash startup files.

Which file would that be? IIUC .bashrc or .bash_profile won't actually run unless the user actively logs in.

2ManyDogs · 2016-06-01 14:37:36

autologin: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Au … al_console

then startx at login: https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Xi … X_at_login

.bash_profile is parsed when the user logs in, even if the login is automatic.

Then, as ewaller says, add the program you want to start to .xinitrc.

yuvadm · 2016-06-01 14:43:36

Sounds like a rather simple approach, will give it a shot. Thanks!

ewaller · 2016-06-01 14:43:50

Thanks 2ManyDogs, I missed the auto login step.

Head_on_a_Stick · 2016-06-01 19:05:43

My preferred approach is to simply place this line in ~/.bash_profile (with autologin enabled):

[[ -z $DISPLAY && $XDG_VTNR -eq 1 ]] && exec startx /usr/bin/foo

No need for ~/.xinitrc then

Arch Linux

#1 2016-06-01 11:08:56

Boot directly into an X application

#2 2016-06-01 14:04:40

Re: Boot directly into an X application

#3 2016-06-01 14:25:31

Re: Boot directly into an X application

#4 2016-06-01 14:37:36

Re: Boot directly into an X application

#5 2016-06-01 14:43:36

Re: Boot directly into an X application

#6 2016-06-01 14:43:50

Re: Boot directly into an X application

#7 2016-06-01 19:05:43

Re: Boot directly into an X application

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