How to configure Xmonad for Ubuntu

oz, 2017-04-02
xmonad, ubuntu

In the last six months I must have set up my default Ubuntu 16.04 + Xmonad desktop environment on like four or more machines. The goal looks like this (I like to have the top bar for status and widgets):

Ubuntu and Xmonad

Here is a small guide for future reference:

Step-by-step Guide

  1. Install the Xmonad package:

    sudo apt install xmonad

    At this point you can already select an Xmonad session at the login screen. But this is not recommended.

  2. So additionally you should install the gnome-session-xmonad package:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gekkio/xmonad
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install gnome-session-xmonad

  3. Configure Xmonad. The Xmonad configuration is written in Haskell. If you are uncertain or need something working to start from, you are free to take my configuration. Place it here: ~/.xmonad/xmonad.hs

  4. Relog and choose the GNOME + XMonad session at the login screen.

  5. If you dislike the bottom panel (like I do, see above screenshot), you can disable it with:

    dconf write /org/gnome/gnome-panel/layout/toplevel-id-list "['top-panel']"

    To redisplay it, execute:

    dconf write /org/gnome/gnome-panel/layout/toplevel-id-list "['top-panel','bottom-panel']"

Have fun!

Update 2021-09-14

The above guide also works for Ubuntu 18.04 and 20.04. However, for version 20.04 further tweaks are needed:

  1. Fix layout switch (Super+Space):

    The shortcut is claimed by GNOME and needs to be disabled in "Settings > Keyboard Shortcuts > Switch to next input source"

  2. Remove the Terminal title bar:

    sudo apt install gnome-shell-extension-pixelsaver
gnome-extensions enable pixel-saver@deadalnix.me
gsettings set org.gnome.Terminal.Legacy.Settings headerbar false

    Source: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1230157/how-to-remove-title-bar-from-terminal-on-the-new-ubuntu-20-04

  3. Hide desktop icons:

    Inspired by: https://askubuntu.com/questions/1230877/how-to-remove-home-folder-icon-from-desktop-in-ubuntu-20-04 (the keys however don't work for GNOME + XMonad session). Correct key:

    gsettings set org.gnome.gnome-flashback.desktop show-icons false

  4. Dark theme:

    It's called 'Yaru-dark' (default is 'Yaru', a light theme) and can be set under org.gnome.desktop.interface.gtk-theme.

  5. Chromium snap context menu

    For me, context menu (e.g. right click on links) didn't work with the new Chromium snap. The solution is to disable hardware accerlation.

  6. If top Gnome Panel disappears randomly on login:

    gsettings set org.gnome.gnome-flashback root-background true
gsettings set org.gnome.gnome-flashback desktop false

Update 2023-03-26

Today, I upgraded two machines from Ubuntu 20.04 to 22.04 without any problems or need for tweaks. The Gnome + Xmonad session just works.