WSL configuration

  1. Install i3

     sudo apt install i3 -y

  2. Create an init script

     vim ~/src/scripts/i3launch.sh

#!/bin/zsh
source ~/.zshrc
# If not running interactively, don't do anything
[ -z "$PS1" ] && return

export DISPLAY=$(awk '/nameserver / {print $2; exit}' /etc/resolv.conf 2>/dev/null):0
export LIBGL_ALWAYS_INDIRECT=1

dbus_status=$(service dbus status)
if [[ $dbus_status = *"is not running"* ]]; then
  sudo service dbus --full-restart
fi
i3

To run WSL2 as root

wsl.exe -d Ubuntu-20.04 -u root -- /bin/bash

Windows configuration

  1. Install vcxsrv from powershell

     winget install vcxsrv

With WSL2 you need to configure your firewall to allow WSL and vcxsrv to communicate.

Search for Windows Defender Firewall with Advanced Security and do the following:

  1. Create an inbound rule:

     name: wsl2
 rule type: port
 port type: tcp
 port number: 6000

  2. Narrow the scope of your inbound rule:

     Right click -> Properties -> scope -> Remote IP addresses -> Add

 172.16.0.0/12

  3. Search for VcXsrv windows xserver inbound rules and make sure the 4 rules are enabled and in allow mode

firewall1

  1. Startup i3 script from Windows vcxsrv.vbs

     code vcxsrv.vbs

Set shell = CreateObject("WScript.Shell" ) 

shell.Run """C:\Program Files\VcXsrv\vcxsrv.exe"" :0 -screen 0 @1 -ac -engine 1 -nodecoration -wgl"

WScript.Sleep 200

shell.Run "wsl.exe -d YOUR_DISTRO -u YOUR_USER -- /bin/zsh ~/src/scripts/i3launch.sh", 0

  1. And just run your script from powershell

     .\vcxsrv.vbs

You should see this screen.

i3

i3 configuration

Up to you.

References