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i3 running on WSL2

WSL configuration

  1. Install i3

    TEXT
     sudo apt install i3 -y

  2. Create an init script

    TEXT
     vim ~/src/scripts/i3launch.sh
SHELL
#!/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

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

Windows configuration

  1. Install vcxsrv from powershell

    TEXT
     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:

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

  2. Narrow the scope of your inbound rule:

    TEXT
     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

    TEXT
     code vcxsrv.vbs
POWERSHELL
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

    TEXT
     .\vcxsrv.vbs

You should see this screen.

i3

i3 configuration

Up to you.

References

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