Suggestion for adding (or similar) to FreeBSD Handbook: 5.6. The X Display Manager ... /start 5.6.3 Xsetup_# Here background image and xdm applications can be launched. To change the color you can use "x11/xsetroot," but changing the image requires an application like "x11/bgs". Example: #!/bin/sh bgs ~/mypic.jpg & #xsetroot & #xconsole & xconsole can be commented out without concerns, if it is not needed. 5.6.4 Xsession Customization is better done by ~/.xsession. Example of ~/.xsession: #!/bin/sh exec xterm & exec fluxbox exec $1 In this example, applications are ended with an "&". The desktop choice is last on the list, and is absent of an "&". Be sure "~/.xsession" is read and execute permissible by owner and group. chmod 660 ~/.xsession /end .xsession (and Xsession) is covered in the next section, but it has more to do with XDM. Thank you.