Editing Fluxbox

{{short description|Open source window manager for the X11 system}}
{{Infobox software
| name                   = Fluxbox
| logo                   = Fluxbox-logo.svg
| screenshot             = Fluxbox.png
| caption                = Fluxbox with a customized theme
| author                 =
| developer              = Henrik Kinnunen
| released               =
| latest release version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q131522|P348|P548=Q2804309}}
| latest release date    = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q131522|P348|P548=Q2804309|P577}}
| latest preview version = {{wikidata|property|preferred|references|edit|Q131522|P348|P548=Q51930650}}
| latest preview date    = {{wikidata|qualifier|preferred|single|Q131522|P348|P548=Q51930650|P577}}
| programming language   = [[C++]]<ref name="lxf103">{{cite journal |last=Saunders |first=Mike |date=March 2008 |title=Lightweight window managers |journal=[[Linux Format]] |publisher=[[Future Publishing]] |location=UK |issue=103 |url=http://www.linuxformat.co.uk/archives?issue=103 |access-date=2010-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100624140837/http://linuxformat.co.uk/archives?issue=103 |archive-date=2010-06-24 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last=Сондерс |first=Майк |date=March 2008 |script-title=ru:Легковесные ОМ |journal=[[Linux Format]] |publisher=Mezon.ru |location=Russia |issue=103 |page=19 |language=ru |url=http://www.linuxformat.ru/download/103.pdf |access-date=2010-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008151510/http://www.linuxformat.ru/download/103.pdf |archive-date=2011-10-08 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| operating system       = [[Unix]]/[[Unix-like]]<ref group = note>Including:
* BSD derivatives, such as [[DragonFly BSD]], [[FreeBSD]], [[NetBSD]] and [[OpenBSD]]
* [[Linux]]
* [[MINIX]]
* [[Solaris (operating system)|Solaris]]
</ref>
| platform               =
| language               =
| status                 =
| genre                  = [[Stacking window manager]]
| license                = [[MIT License|MIT]]
| website                = {{URL|fluxbox.org}}
}}
[[File:Fluxbox 1.3.ogv|thumb|Fluxbox 1.3 Xsession running on [[Debian]] [[GNU]]/[[Linux]] 7]]

'''Fluxbox''' is a [[stacking window manager]] for the [[X Window System]], which started as a [[fork (software)|fork]] of [[Blackbox]]<ref name="lxf103" /> 0.61.1 in 2001,<ref>[[SourceForge:projects/fluxbox/files/fluxbox/|Fluxbox - Browse /fluxbox at]]. Sourceforge.net. Retrieved on 2013-07-13.</ref> with the same aim to be lightweight. Its [[user interface]] has only a [[taskbar]], a [[Popup menu|pop-up menu]] accessible by right-clicking on the desktop,<ref name="lxf103" /> and minimal support for graphical [[icon (computing)|icons]]. All basic configurations are controlled by [[text file]]s, including the construction of menus and the mapping of [[key-bindings]].<ref name="linux.org">{{cite web |url= http://www.linux.org/lessons/short/fluxbox/index.html |title= Using the Fluxbox Window Manager |publisher= Linux Online Inc. |first= Michael J. |last= Jordan |access-date= 2007-09-26 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071001061557/http://www.linux.org/lessons/short/fluxbox/index.html |archive-date= 2007-10-01 |url-status= dead }}</ref> Fluxbox has high compliance to the [[Extended Window Manager Hints]] specification.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/docs/ewmh-support.html |title= Fluxbox EWMH Support |access-date= 2009-09-09 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090819040039/http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/docs/ewmh-support.html |archive-date= 2009-08-19 |url-status= live }}</ref>

Fluxbox is basic in appearance, but it can show a few options for improved attractiveness: colors, gradients,<ref name="lxf103" /> borders, and several other basic appearance attributes can be specified. Recent versions support rounded corners and graphical elements. Effects managers such as xcompmgr, cairo-compmgr and transset-df (deprecated) can add true transparency to desktop elements and windows. Enhancements can also be provided by using iDesk or fbdesk, [[SpaceFM]], [[PCMan File Manager]] or the [[ROX Desktop]]. Fluxbox also has several features Blackbox lacks, including [[Tabbed document interface|tabbed windows]] and a configurable titlebar.<ref name="wiki-eyecandy">{{Cite web |url=http://fluxbox-wiki.org/index.php/Eye_candy |title=Eye candy - Fluxbox-wiki<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2007-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013212916/http://fluxbox-wiki.org/index.php/Eye_candy |archive-date=2007-10-13 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Because of its small [[memory footprint]] and quick loading time, Fluxbox is popular in many [[Live CD]]s such as [[GParted]]. It was the default window manager of [[Damn Small Linux]] and [[antiX]], but was replaced with JWM in 2007 and 2009, respectively. It is currently the default window manager of PCFluxboxOS, a remaster of [[PCLinuxOS]], and of [[Linux Mint]] Fluxbox CE. Fluxbuntu,<ref>{{cite web |title=DistroWatch.com: Fluxbuntu Linux |url=https://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=fluxbuntu |website=distrowatch.com |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref> an [[Ubuntu (operating system)|Ubuntu]] derivative with lightweight applications, was released in October 2007.<ref name="fluxubuntu">[http://fluxbuntu.org/ Fluxbuntu Home<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926212901/http://fluxbuntu.org/ |date=2007-09-26 }}</ref> 

On December 12, 2019, [[MX Linux]] released MX-fluxbox as a fully integrated overlay of MX Linux 19. Previously it had been available from 2014 onward through the Package Installer.<ref>{{cite web |title=MX-fluxbox released as fully integrated overlay – MX Linux |url=https://mxlinux.org/blog/4585/ |website=mxlinux.org |access-date=30 September 2021 |language=en-US |date=December 14, 2019}}</ref> A Fluxbox edition has been added to the MX-21 series with Fluxbox in use by default.<ref>{{cite web |title=MX-21 Fluxbox beta 1 iso images for testing – MX Linux |url=https://mxlinux.org/blog/mx-21-fluxbox-beta-1-iso-images-for-testing/ |website=mxlinux.org |access-date=30 September 2021 |language=en-US |date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> Fluxbox is also a featured window manager on [[antiX]].<ref>{{cite web |title=antiX Linux – Proudly anti-fascist "antiX Magic" in an environment suitable for old and new computers. |url=https://antixlinux.com/ |website=antixlinux.com |access-date=30 September 2021}}</ref>

The early versions of [[Lumina (desktop environment)|Lumina]], a [[desktop environment]] created for [[TrueOS]], were based on Fluxbox.<ref>{{cite journal|journal=BSD Magazine|url=https://bsdmag.org/lumina_desktop/|title=Basis Of The Lumina Desktop Environment|last=Moore|first=Ken|date=September 2015|access-date=23 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161124091722/https://bsdmag.org/lumina_desktop/|archive-date=2016-11-24|url-status=usurped}}</ref>

As of December 2021 there are 22 flavors of Linux using Fluxbox in some way.<ref>{{cite web |title=The following distributions match your criteria: Desktop interface = Fluxbox |url=https://distrowatch.com/search.php?desktop=Fluxbox |website=distrowatch.com |access-date=26 December 2021}}</ref>

==Features==
* Right-clicking on the desktop gives a root menu
* Customizable root menu
* [[Wallpaper (computing)|Wallpapers]]
* Running applications appear in a [[taskbar]]
* Support for desktop themes<ref name="lxf103" />
* Customizable [[keyboard shortcut]]s
* [[Tab (interface)|Window tabbing]]
* Slit for applications such as system monitors

==Customization==
Customization is done by editing configuration files in the .fluxbox subdirectory in the user's home directory:

* Keyboard shortcuts are stored in the {{mono|~/.fluxbox/keys}} file.
* Menu layout is in the {{mono|~/.fluxbox/menu}} file.
* Everything that is run at startup is kept in the {{mono|~/.fluxbox/startup}} file.
* The fluxbox configuration file is held at {{mono|~/.fluxbox/init}}.

==See also==
{{Portal|Free and open-source software}}
* [[Openbox]]
* [[Comparison of X window managers]]

==Notes==
<references group = note/>

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book | first1=Robert | last1=Shingledecker | first2=John | last2=Andrews | first3=Chris | last3=Negus | year=2007 | title=The Official Damn Small Linux Book: The Tiny Adaptable Linux That Runs on Anything}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.fluxbox.org}}
* [http://customize.org/fluxbox Fluxbox themes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070409061406/http://customize.org/fluxbox |date=2007-04-09 }} at Customize.org
* [https://antixlinux.com/ antiX Website] at antiXlinux.com
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120418011311/http://fluxbox.sourceforge.net/docbook/en/pdf/fluxbook.pdf Fluxbox documentation] by Tobias Klausmann

; Useful tools
* [http://svn.berlios.de/viewcvs/*checkout*/fluxbox/trunk/util/fbsetbg?rev=3908 Fbsetbg]{{Dead link|date=December 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} : Set wallpaper for Fluxbox.
* [http://fluxspace.sourceforge.net/ FluxSpace] : A window manager and workspace enhancer and integrator.
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080925095155/http://benedict.isomedia.com/homes/stevencooper/projects/fluxter.html Fluxter] : A slit pager.
* [http://idesk.sourceforge.net/html/index.html iDesk] : a desktop icon utility
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20090204084654/http://useperl.ru/ipager/index.en.html iPager] : A lightweight pager.

{{X desktop environments and window managers}}
{{Software in the Public Interest}}

[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]
[[Category:Free software programmed in C++]]
[[Category:Free X window managers]]
[[Category:Software forks]]
[[Category:Software using the MIT license]]