Xfce
Debian package ↗A traditional desktop with panels, an application menu, and modest resource needs.
sudo apt install task-xfce-desktopSERVER FIRST / DESKTOP OPTIONAL
Your server.
Your choice of desktop.
Both Rooster Linux downloads are server only. Neither comes with a desktop environment preinstalled. Keep your server lean, or add the Debian desktop you want after installation.
01 / PREPARE YOUR SYSTEM
Install Rooster.
Then make it yours.
Start from your installed server system and connect it to the internet. You will need administrator access and enough free storage for the desktop and its applications.
Choose one environment to start. The commands below are alternatives; you do not need to run all of them.
01 / Refresh the package lists
sudo apt updatecat /etc/os-release
dpkg --print-architectureThe Raspberry Pi edition uses ARM64; the PC edition uses AMD64. Use packages from the Debian release already installed on your system. Do not change releases just to follow this guide.
If sudo is unavailable or your account lacks permission, use su - with the root password, then run the commands without sudo.
02 / STANDARD DEBIAN DESKTOP CHOICES
Pick your everyday workspace.
These eight desktop tasks are available in Debian 12 (Bookworm) and Debian 13 (Trixie). A task package installs the selected environment and a collection of desktop applications. Let APT install its recommended packages.
Cinnamon
Debian package ↗A familiar panel-and-menu desktop with integrated settings.
sudo apt install task-cinnamon-desktopMATE
Debian package ↗A traditional desktop continuing the GNOME 2 approach.
sudo apt install task-mate-desktopLXQt
Debian package ↗A lightweight desktop built with Qt.
sudo apt install task-lxqt-desktopLXDE
Debian package ↗A lightweight desktop with a conventional layout.
sudo apt install task-lxde-desktopKDE Plasma
Debian package ↗A flexible desktop with extensive appearance and workflow settings.
sudo apt install task-kde-desktopGNOME
Debian package ↗An integrated desktop organized around an activities overview.
sudo apt install task-gnome-desktopGNOME Flashback
Debian package ↗A traditional GNOME panel session. This differs from GNOME Shell.
sudo apt install task-gnome-flashback-desktopPackage choices: Debian 12 desktop tasks ↗ · Debian 13 desktop tasks ↗
03 / OTHER PACKAGED ENVIRONMENTS
A different way to work.
Debian also packages the environments below. These commands include a graphical login manager where the environment’s package does not provide one. Some install a smaller starting set of applications than the desktop tasks above.
Budgie
Debian package ↗A panel-based desktop with a sidebar for notifications and controls.
sudo apt install budgie-desktop-environmentDebian 13: use the command shown. On Debian 12, use: sudo apt install xorg lightdm budgie-desktop gnome-terminal nautilus
Enlightenment
Debian package ↗A configurable graphical environment with its own window manager and settings.
sudo apt install xorg lightdm enlightenmentSelect Enlightenment at the graphical login screen.
FVWM-Crystal
Debian package ↗A configured desktop environment built around the FVWM window manager.
sudo apt install xorg lightdm fvwm-crystalSelect FVWM-Crystal at login. Additional desktop applications can be installed separately.
GNUstep / Window Maker
Debian package ↗A NeXT-style workspace pairing GNUstep applications with Window Maker.
sudo apt install xorg lightdm wmaker gnustepSelect Window Maker at login. GNUstep supplies the application environment; Window Maker supplies the session.
Sugar
Debian package ↗A learning environment organized around educational activities.
sudo apt install xorg lightdm sugar-sessionSelect Sugar at login. Add the Sugar activity packages you need separately.
04 / TOUCH & MOBILE SHELLS
For a different kind of screen.
Debian 13 also offers these touch-oriented environments. They are included here for completeness; they need suitable graphics support and may require device-specific setup. Repository availability does not mean every environment has been tested on Rooster Linux or Raspberry Pi hardware.
Phosh
Debian package ↗A GNOME-based shell designed for phones and other touch-oriented devices.
sudo apt install phosh-full gdm3Select Phosh in GDM’s session menu. This is a specialist Wayland environment, rather than a conventional PC desktop.
Lomiri
Debian package ↗A touch-oriented environment that can also adapt to desktop use.
sudo apt install lomiri-desktop-session lightdmSelect the Lomiri session in LightDM. Its session package installs the shell and supporting components.
Plasma Mobile
Debian package ↗KDE’s mobile shell and accompanying applications.
sudo apt install plasma-mobile-full sddmDebian 13 package. Select Plasma Mobile in SDDM. This is distinct from the regular KDE Plasma desktop.
05 / START YOUR DESKTOP
Choose a session.
Sign in. Get to work.
- During installation, if asked to choose a display manager, choose GDM for GNOME, GNOME Flashback, or Phosh, SDDM for KDE Plasma or Plasma Mobile, or LightDM for the other environments.
- Once installation completes, enable graphical startup using the commands shown here. Reboot when you are ready; it interrupts running work and remote sessions.
- At the graphical login screen, choose your installed desktop from the session menu and sign in with your regular user account.
A desktop runs on a locally connected display. Installing one does not automatically configure remote desktop access.
Start the graphical login on future boots
sudo systemctl set-default graphical.targetsudo rebootFor a server that does not need a desktop, skip this guide and keep using the command line.
What if APT cannot find the package?
Run sudo apt update and check your Debian release and configured repositories. Package availability varies by release and architecture. To check a particular choice, run apt-cache policy PACKAGE-NAME, substituting the package from its install command. If the candidate is “(none)”, do not add another Debian release’s repositories; choose an available desktop or consult that release’s package documentation.
What about other window managers?
Debian also offers standalone window managers and compositors, such as i3, Sway, Openbox, Fluxbox, and Window Maker. They are building blocks for a custom graphical setup rather than complete desktop environments. This guide covers Debian’s standard desktop tasks and the additional packaged environments listed in its desktop documentation, plus mobile shells.
Is every desktop guaranteed to work on my Raspberry Pi?
No. Availability in Debian is separate from testing on a particular Rooster Linux image. Graphics drivers, available RAM, display hardware, and the installed Debian release all affect the result. Check the package information for ARM64 availability and use your image’s supported graphics configuration.
Sources: Debian desktop environment guide ↗ and the Debian package pages linked with each choice. Package names checked October 25, 2026.
START WITH THE SERVER EDITION