How to install and enable Compiz in Debian

Installing Compiz in Debian is a relatively simple process. What is Compiz? Compiz is an advanced compositing window manager that uses 3D Graphics acceleration to produce neat graphical desktop effects. Originally succeeded by Beryl (a fork of Compiz), Berl has since merged back with Compiz and both efforts are now one. If you have a decent video card and a 3D Linux graphics hardware driver enabled, there is good reason to install and take full advantage of Compiz.

In the following tutorial we walk you through the complete Debian-Compiz installation process. Using this tutorial, you should be up and running Compiz on Debian in just a few minutes.

Installing Compiz in Debian:

  1. Open a terminal and type sudo su
  2. Type apt-get install compiz
  3. Type gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
  4. Add the following option under Section "ServerLayout"
    5. Option "AIGLX" "true"
  5. Add the following options under Section "Device"
    6. Option "AllowGLXWithComposite" "true"
Option "RenderAccel" "true"
  6. Add the following options under Section "Screen"
    7. Option "XAANoOffscreenPixmaps"
Option "AddARGBGLXVisuals" "true"
  7. Add the following lines to the end of the file
    8. Section "Extensions"

Option "Composite" "Enable"

EndSection
  8. Save the file
  9. Navigate to System -> Preferences -> Sessions -> Startup Programs
  10. Click New to create a new startup command
  11. In the command entry box add:
    compiz --replace
  12. Press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace to restart X

Enjoy Compiz on Debian!