···

       
117
       
117
       
 
       
## Running X without a display manager  {#sec-x11-startx}

     

       
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118
       
 
       


     

       
119
       
119
       
 
       
It is possible to avoid a display manager entirely and starting the X server

     

       
120
       
120
       
-
       
manually from a virtual terminal. Add to your configuration

     

       
120
       
120
       
+
       
manually from a virtual terminal. Add to your configuration:

     

       
121
       
121
       
 
       
```nix

     

       
122
       
122
       
 
       
{

     

       
123
       
123
       
 
       
  services.xserver.displayManager.startx = {

     
···

       
130
       
130
       
 
       


     

       
131
       
131
       
 
       
The second option will generate a base `xinitrc` script that will run your

     

       
132
       
132
       
 
       
window manager and set up the systemd user session.

     

       
133
       
133
       
-
       
You can extend the script using the [extraCommands](#opt-services.xserver.displayManager.startx.extraCommands) for example:

     

       
133
       
133
       
+
       
You can extend the script using the

     

       
134
       
134
       
+
       
[extraCommands](#opt-services.xserver.displayManager.startx.extraCommands)

     

       
135
       
135
       
+
       
option, for example:

     

       
134
       
136
       
 
       
```nix

     

       
135
       
137
       
 
       
{

     

       
136
       
138
       
 
       
  services.xserver.displayManager.startx = {

     
···

       
146
       
148
       
 
       
or, alternatively, you can write your own from scratch in `~/.xinitrc`.

     

       
147
       
149
       
 
       


     

       
148
       
150
       
 
       
In this case, remember you're responsible for starting the window manager, for

     

       
149
       
149
       
-
       
example

     

       
151
       
151
       
+
       
example:

     

       
150
       
152
       
 
       
```shell

     

       
151
       
153
       
 
       
sxhkd &

     

       
152
       
154
       
 
       
bspwm &