Installing Compton on Ubuntu
To integrate Compton with your Ubuntu desktop environment, start by installing the package. For Ubuntu and other Debian-based distributions, use the following commands:
sudo apt update
sudo apt install compton
This installs the latest version of Compton available in Ubuntu’s repositories.
Configuring Compton for Desktop Environment Integration
Compton’s behavior is controlled by a configuration file, typically located at ~/.config/compton.conf (user-specific) or /etc/xdg/compton.conf (system-wide). You can create or edit this file using a text editor like nano:
nano ~/.config/compton.conf
Key parameters to customize for better integration include:
backend: Determines how Compton renders windows. Popular options are glx (better performance, requires GPU support) and xrender (more compatible with older hardware).shadow: Enables/disables window shadows (set to true for a modern look or false to reduce resource usage).opacity: Adjusts window transparency (e.g., opacity = 0.8 for slightly transparent windows).ignore_root: Set to true to avoid transparency issues with the desktop background (useful for GNOME/KDE).After editing, save the file and restart Compton to apply changes:
killall compton && compton &
Starting Compton Automatically on Login
To ensure Compton launches automatically when you log in, add it to your session’s startup applications. The method varies by desktop environment:
sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool.compton -b), and comment (optional).~/.xprofile or ~/.xinitrc and append:compton -b &
Save the file and restart your session.Optimizing Compton Performance for Your Desktop Environment
Compton can be resource-intensive if misconfigured. To optimize performance:
backend = "glx" in the config file (requires a compatible GPU driver).shadow = false) or transparency (opacity = false) if you experience lag.cpulimit to cap Compton’s CPU usage (e.g., limit to 50%):cpulimit -l 50 -p $(pgrep compton)
vsync = true to sync Compton’s rendering with your monitor’s refresh rate (reduces screen tearing).Troubleshooting Common Issues
ignore_root = true is set in the config file (this prevents transparency issues with the desktop background).glx backend (if supported) or disable effects like shadows/transparency.compton -c ~/.config/compton.conf to test) or try reinstalling Compton (sudo apt reinstall compton).