10.8 IceWM

IceWM Window Manager Overview

IceWM is a window manager based on the X Window System. Its design goals are fast response, simple structure, and non-interference with the user's workflow. It features a built-in paged taskbar, global and window-level key bindings, and provides a dynamic menu system. Windows can be managed using keyboard and mouse combinations. Users can iconify windows to the taskbar, system tray, or desktop area, or hide them. Window management supports fast window switching (Alt+Tab) or a window list. Multiple configurable window focus modes can be selected via the menu. Multi-monitor environments are supported through RandR and Xinerama extensions. IceWM is highly customizable, supports custom themes, and provides comprehensive documentation. IceWM offers an optional external wallpaper manager (with transparency support), a simple session manager, and a system tray. IceWM runs on mainstream Linux distributions and most *BSD systems. (Quoted from IceWM Window Manager)

Installing the IceWM Window Manager

• Install using pkg:

# pkg install xorg icewm icewm-extra-themes slim wqy-fonts xdg-user-dirs

• Install using Ports:

# cd /usr/ports/x11-wm/icewm/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11-themes/icewm-extra-themes/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11/xorg/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11/slim/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/x11-fonts/wqy/ && make install clean
# cd /usr/ports/devel/xdg-user-dirs/ && make install clean

Package Description

Package	Description
xorg	X Window System
icewm	Lightweight window manager
icewm-extra-themes	IceWM extra theme collection
slim	Lightweight graphical display manager
wqy-fonts	WenQuanYi Chinese Fonts
xdg-user-dirs	Manages user directories such as "Desktop", "Downloads", etc.

startx

Edit the ~/.xinitrc file and add the following content (should be modified as the currently logged-in user):

exec icewm-session

This allows starting an IceWM session using the startx command in a TTY.

Startup Items

Set the D-Bus service to start on boot (automatically installed as a dependency):

# service dbus enable

Set the SLiM display manager to start on boot:

# service slim enable

Mounting the proc File System

Edit the /etc/fstab file and add the following line:

proc           /proc       procfs  rw  0   0

Mount the procfs file system to /proc in read-write mode.

Configuring the Chinese Environment

Edit the /etc/login.conf file, find the default:\ section, and change :lang=C.UTF-8 to :lang=zh_CN.UTF-8.

Rebuild the capability database based on the login.conf file for the configuration to take effect:

# cap_mkdb /etc/login.conf

Desktop Gallery

FreeBSD Install icewm

The default interface after installation is shown above; you can choose to change the theme:

FreeBSD Install icewm

FreeBSD Install icewm

Troubleshooting and Outstanding Issues

Incomplete Chinese Environment

This issue has been reported at Many UI Strings Are Missing from .po Files.

References

• FreeBSD Project. icewm-preferences(5)[EB/OL]. [2026-03-25]. https://man.freebsd.org/cgi/man.cgi?query=icewm-preferences&sektion=5. The official manual page for IceWM window manager configuration options, detailing various configuration parameters.