How to install and configure LXQt Desktop in Debian

The LXQt desktop is fusion between the popular LXDE and Razor-Qt desktop.

A Qt based advanced, lightweight and fast desktop environment, a real Xfce alternative. It packs many LXQt specific application with a well organized and beautiful GUI.

Recent LXQt 0.12, which is built with Qt 5.9.x series.

It's compatible with the KDE Next's breeze theme, which makes it's look and feel more pleasant.

Now we are going to install and configure LXQt in Debian. This guide is useful for both Debian stable(currently Jessie) and Debian testing.

Currently Debian official repository doesn't have any LXQt packages, so we have to use the Siduction repository. Which is another Debian derivative based on Debian unstable (Sid) with a cutting edge software repository.

UPDATE: Now LXQt 0.12.0 is available for Debian stable and testing, the installation process is exactly same.

1. Add Siduction LXQt repository

UPDATE: These Debian repo listed below doesn't work anymore for Debian stable, Jessie.

You can Install LXQt desktop only on current testing Stretch and Unstable Sid, packages are on the official repository, and there's no backport for Jessie. Skip this section if you're running Debian Jessie.

For Debian stable, currently Jessie, add the lines bellow at the /etc/apt/sources.list file

deb http://packages.siduction.org/lxqt jessie-backports main
deb-src http://packages.siduction.org/lxqt jessie-backports main

For Debian testing or unstable, currently Stretch, add the lines bellow at the /etc/apt/sources.list file

deb http://packages.siduction.org/lxqt  unstable  main
deb-src http://packages.siduction.org/lxqt  unstable  main

For more information about how to add debian a repository, you may have a look there.

2. Add the apt repository Key

For security purpose and package integrity checking, add the LXQt repository specific gpg key file in your system. Though this step is optional.

apt-key adv --keyserver pgpkeys.mit.edu --recv-key 15CBD88045C45076

3. Update repository

Now update the repository to make the changes available.

sudo apt-get update

4. Install LXQt Packages

Now install the packages, you may want to install the full LXQt desktop with all recommended software or just install the minimal desktop.

sudo apt-get install lxqt pcmanfm-qt5

For a minimal install

sudo apt-get --no-install-recommends install lxqt pcmanfm-qt5 openbox obconf-qt5 compton compton-conf

By default, LXQt uses openbox as window manager and compton for display compositing. If you want to install a more feature reach and all-in-one window manager and compositor, install kwin .

sudo apt-get install kwin-x11

This will install KDE 5's new window manager, which is much better and modular than the old KDE 4 ones. Installation is complete, now logout your current session and login after selecting the LXQt session.

5. Install Breeze Icon theme, widget style, Cursor theme

Breeze is the KDE 5's default smooth and unified widget style with a flat look. To install Breeze , run the commands bellow

sudo apt-get install breeze breeze-cursor-theme breeze-icon-theme

Now change the icon theme, widget style and kwin decoration style to breeze with LXQt Configuration center .

6. Configuration LXQt

Lets configure the LXQt session, change appearance, icon theme, cursor theme window manager etc. etc. Onen up the LXQt Configuration center from the panel menu at the bottom left. Read the new tutorial about how to use kwin and KDE Breeze style with LXQt here .

Now Change the Window manager with the Session Settings tab and set it to kwin then log out and log in again.

Conclusion

LXQt basic configuration is complete, modify it according to your need. Share your experience about LXQt here and don't forget to share it with your friends too. If you need any further help, just leave a comment.