How to install OpenBSD and the Suckless Software

OpenBSD Logo

Step 1: Download and Install OpenBSD

Download OpenBSD and follow the installation instructions. The installation of OpenBSD is straightforward.

Step 2: Configure User Permissions

After installation, log in as root to configure user permissions.

  1. Install a text editor of your choice: 
    pkg_add vim
  2. Edit or create the doas config file: 
    vim /etc/doas.conf

    Sample doas config:

    permit nopass sh as root

    sh is the user, and nopass means no password prompt is needed for doas commands.

Step 3: Install Git and Create Directories

Exit and log in as your user, then install git:

doas pkg_add git

Create directories to hold dwm, st, and dmenu:

mkdir suckless
cd suckless/
git clone --depth=1 https://git.suckless.org/dwm
git clone --depth=1 https://git.suckless.org/st
git clone --depth=1 https://git.suckless.org/dmenu

Step 4: Configure and Install Suckless Software

Uncomment the necessary lines in the config.mk file for each software:

dwm

cd dwm/
vim config.mk
Uncomment dwm line 
make
doas make install

st

cd st/
vim config.mk
Uncomment st line 
make
doas make install

dmenu

cd dmenu/
vim config.mk
Uncomment dmenu line 
make
doas make install

Step 5: Create an .xsession File

Create an .xsession file to use xenodm to launch dwm:

vim .xsession
Creating .xsession file 
exec dwm

Step 6: Enable xenodm

Enable xenodm and reboot:

doas rcctl enable xenodm
doas shutdown -r now

Step 7: Final Steps

After reboot, you should see the xenodm login screen. Log in with your user and password, and dwm should start.

Optional: Disable xconsole

Note: To disable the xconsole, edit the following file and comment the line that has xconsole:

doas vim /etc/X11/xenodm/Xsetup_0

Reboot and the xconsole should be gone:

doas shutdown -r now

***Et voilà!***