How to test X Window Manager [closed]

Question

Closed. This question needs to be more focused. It is not currently accepting answers.

---

Want to improve this question? Update the question so it focuses on one problem only by editing this post.

Closed 8 years ago.

Improve this question

I've tried to write my own (simple, but with few important features) window manager for X Window System. But after writing base (very minimal) I've got problem with testing. I have tried to test on virtual machine, but this way is uncomfortable. So, how to test window manager without login-out from current session?

Answer 1

You can test your window manager in a nested X server. Xnest has been obsoleted by Xephyr so I would suggest the latter for your experiments.

Answer 2

Another option is to start up a vnc server on your machine and set your DISPLAY variable to point to that to run your experimental WM.

Answer 3

You can use Xnest (doesn't seem to be default-installed ,but it does at least have a Debian package). That allows you to run an independent X server in a window on your current display.

I have, in the past, used this to experiment with or troubleshoot window manager configurations (simply start Xnest, start your window manager pointing to the new X display and you can troubleshoot or experiment there, without risking your current session).