In this article, we will explore the lxsession-edit tool and its importance in customizing the desktop environment on a Raspberry Pi. The lxsession-edit tool allows users to configure various aspects of the LXDE desktop environment, such as autostart applications, default applications, and session settings. While LXDE is not the default desktop environment on newer versions of Raspberry Pi OS (formerly known as Raspbian), it can still be installed and used on older versions or on custom installations. Customizing the desktop environment can greatly enhance the user experience and productivity.

To install lxsession-edit on Raspberry Pi, open a terminal and run the following command:

sudo apt-get install lxsession-edit

Once installed, you can access lxsession-edit by navigating to the "Preferences" menu in the LXDE desktop environment or by running the following command in the terminal:

lxsession-edit

The lxsession-edit window will open, providing a graphical interface to customize various settings. Let's explore some of the key features and settings that can be adjusted using lxsession-edit.

1. Autostart Applications:

   • Click on the "Autostart" tab in the lxsession-edit window.
   • To add a new autostart application, click on the "Add" button.
   • Enter the command or path to the application you want to launch at startup.
   • You can also specify the delay in seconds before the application starts.
   • Click "OK" to save the changes.

2. Default Applications:

   • Click on the "Default Applications" tab in the lxsession-edit window.
   • Here, you can set the default applications for various categories, such as web browser, email client, file manager, etc.
   • Click on the dropdown menus to select the desired applications.
   • Click "OK" to save the changes.

3. Session Settings:

   • Click on the "Session Settings" tab in the lxsession-edit window.
   • Here, you can configure options like saving the session on logout, automatically saving and restoring the session, etc.
   • Enable or disable the desired options by checking or unchecking the checkboxes.
   • Click "OK" to save the changes.