[New User] Best Way to Install a Window Manager on DietPi (i3, Qtile, IceWM, etc.)?

General Discussion
1

Hello,

I’ve installed DietPi on a Raspberry Pi 5 (2 GB), and I’d like to set it up with X11 and a lightweight window manager (i3, AwesomeWM, Qtile, etc.).

I want to make sure I understand the best way to do this, as I’m still getting used to how DietPi’s configuration works.

  1. I see that X11 is available in DietPi’s software installer. So, I assume that’s the best way to install X11. I know that I can then use DietPi’s autostart tool to tell X to autostart (or manually start X) via startx.
  2. After I install X11, can I just follow the standard Debian 13 instructions for installing the Window Manger and Session Manager I want to use? I’ve noticed that DietPi doesn’t seem to use SystemD (even though it’s installed); I’m not sure how that impacts futzing around with X11.

EDIT 1: LightDM: Futzing around a bit more, I found the option to enable LightDM in the autostart settings. So, That answers which Session Manager I’ll be using.

EDIT 2: I’m an idiot. I just realized that if I install XFCE, it will install and properly configure XFCE, LightDM, and other supporting packages, as well as configuring the GPU RAM and hardware codecs.

Then, I think I can just proceed to install the window mangers I want. As long as XFCE is never set to auto-run, it shouldn’t take up any extra RAM space when it’s not in use. Right?

Thanks!