Adjusting Linux Compton Rendering Settings: A Step-by-Step Guide
Compton is a lightweight window compositor for Linux that enhances desktop visuals with effects like shadows, transparency, and fading. Properly configuring its rendering settings can balance performance and aesthetics—especially important for older hardware or resource-constrained systems. Below is a structured guide to adjusting Compton’s key rendering options.
Before configuring, ensure Compton is installed on your system. Use your distribution’s package manager:
sudo apt-get install comptonsudo pacman -S comptonsudo dnf install comptonCompton’s default configuration file is typically found at:
~/.config/compton.conf (creates a personal config without affecting system-wide settings)/etc/xdg/compton.conf (applies to all users; requires root access to edit)If the file doesn’t exist, create it using a text editor (e.g., nano ~/.config/compton.conf).
The following parameters control Compton’s core rendering features. Modify them in your config file to tailor performance and visuals:
The backend determines how Compton renders graphics. Choose between:
glx: Leverages GPU acceleration (better performance but requires OpenGL support).xrender: Uses CPU rendering (more compatible but slower).Recommendation: Use glx for modern GPUs (e.g., backend = "glx").
VSync synchronizes frame rendering with your monitor’s refresh rate to prevent tearing. Options:
vsync = true: Enables VSync (reduces tearing but may introduce input lag).vsync = false: Disables VSync (improves performance but may cause tearing).Advanced: For smoother performance, use vsync = "opengl-swc" (OpenGL swap control) or vsync = "drm" (Direct Rendering Manager).
Shadows add depth but consume GPU/CPU resources. Options:
shadow = true: Enables shadows (default).shadow = false: Disables shadows (boosts performance).Fine-tune shadows with these additional parameters:
shadow-opacity: Sets shadow transparency (0.0–1.0; e.g., 0.7 for subtle shadows).shadow-radius: Adjusts shadow blur radius (e.g., 7 for soft edges).shadow-offset-x/y: Moves shadow position (e.g., -7,-7 for a drop shadow effect).shadow-exclude: Excludes specific windows from shadows (e.g., notifications, docks) using window class names or titles (see example below).Control window transparency to reduce visual clutter:
inactive-opacity: Sets opacity for inactive windows (e.g., 0.8 for slightly transparent).active-opacity: Sets opacity for the focused window (e.g., 1.0 for fully opaque).frame-opacity: Adjusts title bar/transparency (e.g., 0.7 for a subtle effect).opacity-rule: Defines per-window opacity rules (e.g., terminals more transparent than browsers):opacity-rule = [
"90:class_g = 'Alacritty'", # Alacritty terminal at 90% opacity
"80:class_g = 'URxvt'" # URxvt terminal at 80% opacity
];
Enables blur effects behind transparent windows (resource-intensive). Options:
blur: Enables background blur (e.g., blur = true).blur-background: Blurs the background of transparent windows (e.g., blur-background = true).blur-kern: Specifies the blur algorithm (e.g., "7x7box" for a fast, box blur).Note: Disable blur (blur = false) for better performance on older hardware.
To minimize Compton’s impact on system resources:
shadow = false) or transparency (inactive-opacity = 1.0) if not needed.backend = "glx" and your GPU drivers are up to date.shadow-exclude or opacity-rule to skip effects.cpulimit to cap Compton’s CPU usage (e.g., cpulimit -l 50 -p $(pgrep compton)).After editing the config file, restart Compton to apply settings:
killall compton && compton --config ~/.config/compton.conf -b (replaces the running process with the new config).~/.xinitrc or desktop environment settings), simply log out and back in.For quick tweaks without editing the config file, use command-line options:
compton --shadow-disablecompton --shadowcompton --shadow-opacity 0.5compton --replace (applies changes from the current config file).By following these steps, you can optimize Compton’s rendering settings to achieve a balance between visual appeal and system performance. Remember to test changes incrementally (e.g., disable one effect at a time) to identify what works best for your hardware and workflow.