KWin is primarily known as the window manager for the KDE Plasma desktop environment, but it can indeed run in a standalone mode. This allows you to use KWin without the full Plasma desktop environment, which can be useful if you prefer a lighter setup or want to use KWin's features with a different desktop environment.
Here's a basic guide on how to set up KWin standalone:
1. **Install KWin**: Make sure KWin is installed on your system. You can usually do this through your package manager. For example, on a Debian-based system, you can use:
```sh
sudo apt-get install kwin-x11
```
2. **Configure Xinitrc**: Edit your `~/.xinitrc` file to start KWin. You might add something like:
```sh
exec kwin_x11
```
3. **Start X**: You can now start your X session with:
```sh
startx
```
4. **Optional - Autostart Applications**: If you want to start other applications automatically, you can add them to your `~/.xinitrc` file before the `exec kwin_x11` line. For example:
```sh
xterm &
exec kwin_x11
```
This setup will start KWin as your window manager and launch an X terminal.
Keep in mind that running KWin standalone means you won't have the full KDE Plasma desktop environment, so some features and integrations might not be available. If you encounter any specific issues or need more customization, you can always refer to the KWin documentation or community forums for more detailed advice.
