FreeBSD MATE Desktop – Complete Install & Regular User Setup

End-to-end reference for installing MATE and enabling a non-root user to run the desktop.

Step 1 – Install Xorg, Graphics Drivers, and MATE

1.1 Update the system

pkg update && pkg upgrade

1.2 Install Xorg

pkg install xorg

1.3 Install Intel/DRM graphics (common on laptops like HP EliteBook G3)

pkg install drm-kmod
sysrc kld_list+="i915kms"
reboot

1.4 Install MATE desktop environment

Full recommended MATE package set:

pkg install mate mate-terminal caja mate-utils mate-control-center mate-session-manager mate-desktop mate-power-manager mate-menus mate-screensaver

1.5 Install a display manager (optional)

SLiM is simple and stable:

pkg install slim slim-themes
sysrc slim_enable="YES"

Step 2 – Enable Required System Services

2.1 Enable D-Bus

sysrc dbus_enable="YES"

2.2 Optionally enable HAL

Some older or niche desktop utilities may still rely on it.

sysrc hald_enable="YES"

2.3 Start the services immediately

service dbus start
service hald start

Step 3 – Enable Regular User for Desktop Use

Replace yourusername with the actual user account name.

3.1 Add user to video group Required

Needed for access to /dev/dri/* (hardware acceleration).

pw groupmod video -m yourusername

If the group does not exist:

pw groupadd video
pw groupmod video -m yourusername

3.2 Add user to wheel group Recommended

pw groupmod wheel -m yourusername

3.3 Add user to operator group Optional

pw groupmod operator -m yourusername

Step 4 – Configure .xinitrc (if using startx)

If you are not using SLiM or another graphical login manager, create:

echo 'exec mate-session' > /home/yourusername/.xinitrc
chown yourusername:yourusername /home/yourusername/.xinitrc
chmod 644 /home/yourusername/.xinitrc

Now the user can type startx to launch MATE.

Step 5 – Verify Groups and Launch MATE

5.1 Verify the user is in the correct groups

id yourusername

You should see: video wheel operator (as configured).

5.2 Launch the desktop

If using startx:

startx

If using SLiM or another display manager:

Just reboot and log in normally.

Reference – All Commands in Order

# Update FreeBSD
pkg update && pkg upgrade

# Install Xorg and graphics
pkg install xorg
pkg install drm-kmod
sysrc kld_list+="i915kms"
reboot

# Install MATE
pkg install mate mate-terminal caja mate-utils mate-control-center mate-session-manager mate-desktop mate-power-manager mate-menus mate-screensaver

# (Optional) Install a display manager
pkg install slim slim-themes
sysrc slim_enable="YES"

# Enable system services
sysrc dbus_enable="YES"
sysrc hald_enable="YES"
service dbus start
service hald start

# User setup
pw groupmod video -m yourusername
pw groupmod wheel -m yourusername
pw groupmod operator -m yourusername   # optional

# Xinitrc (only if using startx)
echo 'exec mate-session' > /home/yourusername/.xinitrc
chown yourusername:yourusername /home/yourusername/.xinitrc
chmod 644 /home/yourusername/.xinitrc

# Launch
startx