• Step 1: Install Ratpoison and Essential Tools
• Step 2: Create a Ratpoison Session File for LightDM
• Step 3: Configure LightDM for Ratpoison Autologin
• Step 4: Configure Ratpoison (~/.ratpoisonrc)
  • .Xresources
  • Setting Up rpws for Desktop Switching
  • Customizing rpws Hotkeys
    • Keybinding Legend:
• Step 5: Configure User-Specific X Settings (~/.xsessionrc)
• Step 6: (Optional but Recommended) Remove XFCE4
• Step 7: Verify the Setup
• Alternative: Manual Start with startx (If Not Using LightDM)

#Step 1: Install Ratpoison and Essential Tools

First, update your package lists and install Ratpoison. The rpws (Ratpoison Workspace System) script is included with the ratpoison package in Debian Bullseye. Consider installing dmenu for application launching and a basic terminal like xterm or rxvt-unicode.
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt install ratpoison dmenu xterm # Or rxvt-unicode, etc.
# Install other optional utilities you might find useful:
# sudo apt install alsamixergui bpytop brightnessctl catfish dialog gmrun gsimplecal neofetch
# python3-psutil unclutter viewnior xdotool scrot
# fonts-dejavu fonts-terminus nitrogen picom # (nitrogen for wallpaper, picom for compositing)

#Step 2: Create a Ratpoison Session File for LightDM

LightDM uses .desktop files located in /usr/share/xsessions/ to identify available sessions. Create one for Ratpoison:
sudo nano /usr/share/xsessions/ratpoison.desktop

Add the following content:
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Ratpoison
Comment=Minimalist Tiling Window Manager
Exec=ratpoison
TryExec=ratpoison
Icon=
Type=XSession

Save and close the file (e.g., Ctrl+X, then Y, then Enter in nano).

#Step 3: Configure LightDM for Ratpoison Autologin

To ensure LightDM launches Ratpoison for the autologin user, you need to update its configuration. Debian best practices suggest using configuration snippets in /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/. If you already have an autologin configuration file there (e.g., 50-autologin.conf), modify it. Otherwise, you can edit /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf directly or create a new snippet.

1. Edit or Create LightDM Configuration: For example, to create/edit a dedicated snippet:
   sudo nano /etc/lightdm/lightdm.conf.d/60-autologin-ratpoison.conf
   Ensure the configuration specifies linaro and sets autologin-session to ratpoison. The autologin-session value should match the filename of the .desktop file created in Step 2 (without the .desktop extension).
   [Seat:*]
autologin-user=linaro
autologin-user-timeout=0
autologin-session=ratpoison
   If you are editing an existing file that previously specified autologin-session=xfce (or similar), change it to ratpoison. Adding this line explicitly makes the autologin deterministic.
2. Note on Session Selection: While LightDM can sometimes remember the last session selected at the greeter, for an autologin setup, explicitly defining autologin-session is the most reliable method.

#Step 4: Configure Ratpoison (~/.ratpoisonrc)

Create and configure the ~/.ratpoisonrc file in the home directory of the autologin user (i.e., /home/linaro/.ratpoisonrc). This file controls Ratpoison’s behavior, keybindings, and startup applications.
# Ensure you are the user ‘linaro’ or adjust path accordingly
nano /home/linaro/.ratpoisonrc

Here’s a comprehensive example configuration:
# ~/.ratpoisonrc for linaro

set fgcolor black set bgcolor silver set framesels 123456789 set font "Intel One Mono:size=13" set border 0 set barborder 0 set barpadding 4 4 set winname title set winfmt %n %s %c set winliststyle column set wingravity n set gravity center set transgravity center set bargravity c set waitcursor 1 set padding 0 0 0 24 # leave space for bars, 24 for desktop 39 for laptop startup_message off escape Super_L banish unmanage rpbar exec xrdb -merge /home/linaro/.Xresources exec brightnessctl s 7 exec unclutter exec rpws init 9 -k exec rpbar exec nm-applet & addhook switchwin exec rpbarsend addhook switchframe exec rpbarsend addhook switchgroup exec rpbarsend addhook deletewindow exec rpbarsend addhook titlechanged exec rpbarsend addhook newwindow exec rpbarsend definekey top M-Tab next definekey top M-ISO_Left_Tab prev definekey top S-Shift-1 exec rpws move1 definekey top S-Shift-2 exec rpws move2 definekey top S-Shift-3 exec rpws move3 definekey top S-Shift-4 exec rpws move4 definekey top S-Shift-5 exec rpws move5 definekey top S-Shift-6 exec rpws move6 # bind apostrophe exec zutty -saveLines 50000 -border 0 -font 10x20 # bind s-apostrophe exec zutty -saveLines 50000 -border 0 -font 12x24 # bind i exec zutty -saveLines 50000 -border 0 -font 10x20 -e wifish # bind b exec zutty -saveLines 50000 -border 0 -font 10x20 -e bpytop bind apostrophe exec x-terminal-emulator bind s-apostrophe eval bind i exec x-terminal-emulator -e wifish bind b exec x-terminal-emulator -e bpytop bind F1 only bind F2 hsplit bind F3 vsplit bind F4 resize bind e exec xnedit bind s-e exec xnc bind f exec thorium-browser bind h exec menu bind g exec gsimplecal bind c exec write_clipboard_to_file.sh bind s-c exec galculator bind p exec xfce4-screenshooter bind s-p exec scrot -s -e 'xclip -selection clipboard -t image/png -i $f && rm $f' bind Prior exec thermal.sh bind Next exec reverse-thermal.sh bind r remove bind t exec pcmanfm-qt --daemon-mode bind v exec paste_clipboard_from_file.sh bind s-v exec viewnior bind w exec ratpoison -c "select `ratpoison -c "windows" | dmenu | awk '{print $1}'`" bind z nextscreen bind s-b exec vorta bind s-k kill bind s-x fselect bind BackSpace undo bind s-BackSpace redo bind s-Down exchangedown bind s-Up exchangeup bind s-Left exchangeleft bind s-Right exchangeright bind s-Return prev bind s-Tab focuslast bind Tab focus bind Escape abort bind space exec dmenu_run bind F9 exec amixer set Master 0 bind F10 exec amixer set Master 25%- bind F11 exec amixer set Master 25%+ bind KP_0 exec xdotool key apostrophe key apostrophe key apostrophe bind KP_Separator exec xdotool key quotedbl key quotedbl key quotedbl bind KP_1 exec rpws 1 bind KP_2 exec rpws 2 bind KP_3 exec rpws 3 bind KP_4 exec rpws 4 bind KP_5 exec rpws 5 bind KP_6 exec rpws 6 bind KP_7 exec rpws 7 bind KP_8 exec rpws 8 bind KP_9 exec rpws 9 bind Home exec flatpak run com.github.tenderowl.frog bind s-1 exec flatpak run org.telegram.desktop bind s-2 exec flatpak run com.strlen.TreeSheets bind s-3 exec flatpak run io.github.zaps166.QMPlay2 bind s-4 exec flatpak run com.github.ryonakano.reco

#.Xresources

#Setting Up rpws for Desktop Switching

To configure desktop switching with rpws, you will need to add the following line to your ~/.ratpoisonrc file:

Where N is the number of desktops you wish to create (at least 2). The -k flag is optional and is only necessary if you want to use predefined keybindings for switching desktops and managing windows.

When rpws is initialized, it will create N desktops, and by default, it assigns the following keybindings:

• Alt+F(N) - Switch to desktop N (e.g., Alt+F1 switches to the first desktop).
• Ctrl+Alt+Right - Go to the next desktop.
• Ctrl+Alt+Left - Go to the previous desktop.
• Ctrl+Alt+Windows+F(N) - Move the current window to desktop N.
• Ctrl+Alt+> - Move the window to the next desktop.
• Ctrl+Alt+< - Move the window to the previous desktop.

However, you may find these keybindings inconvenient or difficult to use. In that case, you can customize them to suit your preferences.

#Customizing rpws Hotkeys

To customize the keybindings, add the following lines to your ~/.ratpoisonrc file:

#Keybinding Legend:

• C stands for Ctrl
• S stands for the Windows key
• M stands for Alt

For example, C-S-M-q represents pressing Ctrl + Windows + Alt + q in sequence.

#Step 5: Configure User-Specific X Settings (~/.xsessionrc)

The ~/.xsessionrc file (in /home/linaro/) is executed when your X session starts via LightDM. It’s useful for setting environment variables or running commands like xrandr before Ratpoison loads. This file must be executable.
nano /home/linaro/.xsessionrc

Add your configurations, for example:

#!/bin/sh # Exit immediately if a command exits with a non-zero status. # set -e # Optional: Uncomment to log script execution for debugging LOG_FILE=~/xsessionrc_debug.log echo "$(date): .xsessionrc started" >> "$LOG_FILE" # Define custom mode for DP-1 (1152x864 @ 60Hz) # Ensure standard spaces are used in the modeline string. # Modeline: "1152x864_60.00" 81.75 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 867 871 897 -hsync +vsync xrandr --newmode "1152x864_60.00" 81.75 1152 1216 1336 1520 864 867 871 897 -hsync +vsync # 2>&1 | tee -a "$LOG_FILE" # Define custom mode for HDMI-1 (2560x1080 @ 60Hz) # Modeline: "2560x1080_60.00" 230.00 2560 2720 2992 3424 1080 1083 1093 1120 -hsync +vsync xrandr --newmode "2560x1080_60.00" 230.00 2560 2720 2992 3424 1080 1083 1093 1120 -hsync +vsync # 2>&1 | tee -a "$LOG_FILE" # Add the new modes to the respective outputs xrandr --addmode DP-1 "1152x864_60.00" # 2>&1 | tee -a "$LOG_FILE" xrandr --addmode HDMI-1 "2560x1080_60.00" # 2>&1 | tee -a "$LOG_FILE" # Apply the modes and set the layout. # NOTE: The command below sets DP-1 as primary. # Your comment "# makes HDMI-1 primary" conflicts with this. # Adjust --primary flag if HDMI-1 should be the primary display. xrandr \ --output DP-1 --primary --mode "1152x864_60.00" --below HDMI-1 \ --output HDMI-1 --mode "2560x1080_60.00" # 2>&1 | tee -a "$LOG_FILE" # Example: Start a key remapper or other background utility # xmodmap /home/ linaro/.Xmodmap # Example: Set an environment variable # export QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=qt5ct echo "$(date): .xsessionrc finished successfully" >> "$LOG_FILE"

Make it executable:
chmod +x /home/linaro/.xsessionrc

#Step 6: (Optional but Recommended) Remove XFCE4

If you no longer need XFCE4 and want to free up disk space, you can remove its packages. Be cautious and review the packages to be removed before confirming.
# Identify XFCE4 meta-packages and components
sudo apt purge xfce4 xfce4-goodies libxfce4ui-utils xfce4-panel xfce4-session xfce4-settings xfconf xfdesktop4 xfwm4 thunar mousepad parole ristretto
# This list might need adjustment based on your specific XFCE4 installation.
# Always review the list of packages apt proposes to remove.
sudo apt autoremove
sudo apt clean

#Step 7: Verify the Setup

Reboot your system or restart LightDM to apply changes:
sudo systemctl restart lightdm

Your system should automatically log in linaro directly into a Ratpoison session.
Troubleshooting:

• LightDM logs: /var/log/lightdm/lightdm.log and seat-specific logs (e.g., /var/log/lightdm/seat0-greeter.log).
• Xorg logs: ~/.local/share/xorg/Xorg.0.log (for user sessions) or /var/log/Xorg.0.log.
• Session errors: Check ~/.xsession-errors (in /home/linaro/) for issues from ~/.xsessionrc or session startup.

#Alternative: Manual Start with startx (If Not Using LightDM)

If you choose not to use LightDM or wish to start Ratpoison manually from a TTY (console login):

1. Ensure xinit is installed: sudo apt install xinit.
2. Create or edit ~/.xinitrc (in /home/linaro/.xinitrc):
   nano /home/linaro/.xinitrc
   Add:

1. Make it executable: chmod +x /home/linaro/.xinitrc
2. Log in to a TTY as linaro and run startx.

This approach bypasses LightDM. The primary focus of this guide is the LightDM autologin method.