How To Install LXQt Desktop Environment on openSUSE

The LXQt desktop environment offers a lightweight, efficient, and user-friendly interface for Linux users who prefer minimal resource usage without sacrificing functionality or aesthetics. As a Qt-based desktop environment formed from the merger of the LXDE-Qt and Razor-qt projects, LXQt has gained significant popularity among users seeking a responsive desktop experience on less powerful hardware. This comprehensive guide explores the various methods to install LXQt on openSUSE, from system setup to post-installation configuration, ensuring you have all the information necessary to successfully implement this lightweight desktop environment on your openSUSE system.

Understanding the LXQt Desktop Environment

LXQt represents the evolution of lightweight desktop environments in the Linux ecosystem, specifically designed to provide a modern, Qt-based interface while maintaining minimal resource requirements. The project emerged as a collaborative effort between the LXDE and Razor-qt teams, combining their expertise to create a desktop environment that balances performance with functionality. The Qt framework offers superior theming capabilities and cross-platform compatibility compared to GTK-based alternatives, making LXQt an attractive option for users seeking a responsive desktop experience.

One of the most significant recent developments in the LXQt ecosystem is the introduction of Wayland support with LXQt 2.1, marking a major milestone in the project’s development. This experimental feature, implemented through the new lxqt-wayland-session component, allows LXQt to work with various Wayland compositors including Labwc, KWin, Wayfire, Hyprland, Sway, River, and Niri. While still considered experimental, this advancement demonstrates the project’s commitment to embracing modern display server technologies while maintaining its core philosophy of lightweight performance.

For openSUSE users, LXQt presents a compelling desktop option that aligns well with the distribution’s flexibility and configurability. The integration of LXQt into openSUSE’s official repositories ensures package consistency and reliability, providing users with a stable desktop experience backed by robust community support. Whether you’re running openSUSE on older hardware, seeking to maximize battery life on a laptop, or simply prefer a minimalist desktop environment, LXQt offers an efficient solution that’s well-suited to the openSUSE ecosystem.

Core Components and Features of LXQt

The LXQt desktop environment consists of several key components working together to provide a cohesive user experience. These include the panel (which houses the application menu, task manager, and system tray), PCManFM-Qt file manager, QTerminal, and various configuration utilities. The modular design allows users to select which components to install based on their specific needs, further enhancing the environment’s lightweight nature while providing flexibility for different use cases.

Prerequisites for Installation

Before proceeding with LXQt installation on openSUSE, several prerequisites should be considered to ensure a smooth process. First, identify which openSUSE version you’re using, as the installation commands may vary slightly between Tumbleweed and Leap versions. Both distribution variants are fully supported for LXQt installation, with repositories available for Tumbleweed, Slowroll, and the various Leap versions (15.5, 15.6, etc.).

Ensure your system meets the minimum hardware requirements, though these are modest compared to heavier desktop environments. LXQt is specifically designed to work well on less powerful machines, making it an excellent choice for older hardware or systems with limited resources. A working internet connection is essential for downloading the necessary packages, and you should ensure you have sufficient disk space available for the installation.

If you’re installing LXQt on an existing system, consider backing up your important data before proceeding, especially if you’re planning to convert a server installation to a desktop environment. While the installation process is generally safe, having a backup provides added security against unexpected issues.

Method 1: Installation During System Setup

The most straightforward method for obtaining an LXQt-only system involves installing it during the initial openSUSE setup. This approach is ideal for users who want a clean installation with LXQt as their primary desktop environment. Begin by obtaining the appropriate installation media, preferably the network installation ISO (openSUSE-Tumbleweed-NET-x86_64-Current.iso) which ensures access to all available packages.

During the installation process, when prompted to select a desktop environment, choose the “Generic Desktop” option instead of the default KDE or GNOME selections. This option doesn’t actually install any desktop environment initially but allows you to customize your selection in subsequent steps. After selecting “Generic Desktop,” proceed with the installation until you reach the installation summary screen.

From the installation summary, click on the “Software” section to access the pattern selection interface. In the pattern selection screen, locate and select the “LXQt” pattern. This pattern includes not only the core LXQt components but also complementary applications such as web browsers and email clients to provide a complete desktop experience. After confirming your selection, continue with the installation process following the on-screen instructions.

Upon completion of the installation and system reboot, you’ll be greeted by the login manager displaying LXQt as the available session. Login to access your new LXQt desktop environment, completely ready for use without the overhead of additional desktop environments.

Method 2: Installing LXQt as an Additional Desktop Environment

For users with an existing openSUSE installation who wish to add LXQt as an alternative desktop environment, the terminal-based installation method offers a straightforward solution. This approach allows you to maintain your current desktop environment while adding LXQt as an option that can be selected during login.

Open a terminal and execute the following command with root privileges to install the LXQt pattern:

sudo zypper in -t pattern lxqt

This command instructs the zypper package manager to install all packages associated with the LXQt pattern. The pattern-based installation ensures that you receive not only the core LXQt components but also complementary applications like Mozilla Firefox and Claws-mail, providing a complete desktop experience out of the box.

If you’re interested in seeing exactly which packages will be installed with the pattern before proceeding, you can use the following command:

zypper info -t pattern lxqt

This command displays detailed information about the LXQt pattern, including all packages included in the installation. For users who prefer a minimalist installation without additional applications, individual LXQt components can be installed separately rather than using the complete pattern.

After the installation completes, log out of your current desktop session. At the login screen, look for an option to select your desktop environment or session type, and choose LXQt from the available options. Upon login, you’ll be presented with the LXQt desktop environment, ready for use and configuration according to your preferences.

Method 3: Converting openSUSE Server to LXQt Desktop

Users who initially installed openSUSE in server mode (without a GUI) can easily convert their installation to include the LXQt desktop environment. This approach is valuable for administrators who initially deployed a server-oriented system but later decided they needed a graphical interface for certain tasks.

To convert a server installation to include LXQt, open a terminal and execute the following command:

sudo zypper install patterns-lxqt-lxqt

This installs the LXQt desktop environment and all its dependencies. However, simply installing the desktop environment isn’t sufficient, as the system will still boot to a text-mode console by default. To change this behavior, you need to modify the systemd default target to enable graphical login:

sudo rm /etc/systemd/system/default.target
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/systemd/system/graphical.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target
sudo reboot

These commands remove the existing default target and create a symbolic link to the graphical target, instructing systemd to start the graphical environment during boot. After executing these commands and rebooting, your server will boot to a graphical login screen where you can select LXQt as your desktop environment.

If you later decide to revert to server-only mode without a graphical interface, you can easily reverse the process by changing the default target back to multi-user:

sudo rm /etc/systemd/system/default.target
sudo ln -s /usr/lib/systemd/system/multi-user.target /etc/systemd/system/default.target
sudo reboot

This flexibility allows administrators to switch between graphical and text-mode interfaces as needed, adapting the system to changing requirements without reinstallation.

Method 4: Using Snap to Install LXQt

For users who prefer containerized applications, LXQt can be installed via snap packages on openSUSE. This method provides an alternative installation approach that keeps the desktop environment contained and easily manageable, though it requires additional setup compared to the native package management methods.

Begin by adding the snappy repository to your system. The exact command depends on your openSUSE version. For example, on Leap 15.5, use:

sudo zypper addrepo --refresh https://download.opensuse.org/repositories/system:/snappy/openSUSE_Leap_15.5 snappy

For Tumbleweed or other Leap versions, adjust the repository URL accordingly. After adding the repository, import its GPG key and update the package cache:

sudo zypper --gpg-auto-import-keys refresh
sudo zypper dup --from snappy

With the repository configured, install the snapd package manager:

sudo zypper install snapd

After installation, you need to either reboot your system or log out and back in to update your PATH environment variable. Additionally, enable the required systemd services:

sudo systemctl enable --now snapd
sudo systemctl enable --now snapd.apparmor

Once snapd is properly configured, you can install the unofficial LXQt snap package:

sudo snap install lxqt-snap

While the snap installation method offers certain advantages like contained dependencies and automatic updates, it’s worth noting that this is an unofficial package and may not include all the latest features or updates available in the repository version. Additionally, snap packages generally consume more disk space due to their containerized nature.

Method 5: Installing LXQt with Wayland Support

Recent developments in the LXQt project have introduced experimental Wayland support, allowing users to experience this modern display server technology with the lightweight desktop environment. As of LXQt 2.1, openSUSE Tumbleweed users can install LXQt with Wayland support directly from the official repositories.

To implement this cutting-edge configuration, first install LXQt using any of the previously described methods (preferably the zypper pattern installation for best compatibility). After installing the base LXQt environment, add Wayland support by installing the lxqt-wayland-session package:

sudo zypper install lxqt-wayland-session

The LXQt Wayland session requires a compatible Wayland compositor to function. Several options are available depending on your preferences and requirements:

• KWin: Offers the best overall support but comes with KDE dependencies
• Labwc: Recommended for hardcore LXQt users seeking minimal overhead
• Hyprland, Niri, River, or Sway: Suitable for users who prefer tiling window managers
• Wayfire: Ideal for users who enjoy desktop effects and animations

For example, to install the Labwc compositor, execute:

sudo zypper install labwc

After installation, log out of your current session. At the login screen, you’ll find a new option called “LXQt (Wayland)” in the session selection menu. Select this option and log in to experience LXQt running on Wayland.

It’s important to note that Wayland support in LXQt is still considered experimental, and some components may not function perfectly. Users should be prepared to encounter occasional issues and might need to revert to the standard X11 session for certain tasks or applications that don’t yet work properly with Wayland.

Post-Installation Configuration

After successfully installing LXQt on your openSUSE system, various configuration options are available to customize the environment according to your preferences. The LXQt Configuration Center provides a centralized interface for adjusting appearance settings, desktop behavior, panel layout, and more.

For appearance customization, the LXQt theme manager allows you to select from various pre-installed themes or install additional ones from the repositories. The Qt Configuration tool enables fine-tuning of widget styles, fonts, and icon themes to create a cohesive visual experience. The panel configuration tool offers extensive options for customizing the desktop panel, including position, size, autohide behavior, and widget arrangement.

Users transitioning from other desktop environments might want to configure default applications for various file types and actions. This can be accomplished through the LXQt Configuration Center’s “Default Applications” section, where preferred web browsers, file managers, terminal emulators, and other applications can be specified.

For power users, LXQt’s session configuration allows detailed control over startup applications and session behavior. Applications can be added to autostart by creating desktop entries in the appropriate directory or using the Session Configuration tool in the LXQt Configuration Center.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite the straightforward installation process, users might encounter occasional issues when setting up LXQt on openSUSE. One common problem involves display manager configuration, particularly when multiple desktop environments are installed. If the login screen doesn’t display LXQt as an option after installation, ensure the LXQt session files are properly installed in the /usr/share/xsessions directory.

For users experimenting with Wayland support, compatibility issues with certain applications are expected due to the experimental nature of LXQt’s Wayland implementation. Applications that rely heavily on X11-specific features may not function correctly in the Wayland session. In such cases, switching back to the standard X11 session for those specific applications is recommended until better Wayland compatibility is achieved.

Package dependency conflicts occasionally occur, especially when installing LXQt alongside other desktop environments. These can usually be resolved using zypper’s conflict resolution capabilities or by carefully selecting which components to install to avoid overlapping functionality.

If experiencing performance issues, consider adjusting compositor settings or disabling desktop effects entirely for maximum performance on lower-end hardware. LXQt’s strength lies in its lightweight nature, which can be further enhanced by disabling unnecessary services and visual effects.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed LXQt. Thanks for using this tutorial for installing the LXQt lightweight desktop environment on openSUSE system. For additional help or useful information, we recommend you check the official LXQt website.