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How to Install Mate Desktop in Arch Linux

The MATE Desktop Environment is a fork of the GNOME 2 desktop environment. It offers a traditional and familiar desktop experience with a focus on usability and stability. In this blog post, we will guide you through the process of installing the MATE Desktop in Arch Linux. Whether you're a new Arch Linux user or looking to switch to a different desktop environment, this guide will help you get MATE up and running smoothly.

2026-03

Table of Contents#

  1. System Update
  2. Installing MATE Desktop Packages
  3. Configuring Display Manager (Optional but Recommended)
  4. Rebooting and Logging In
  5. Customizing MATE Desktop
  6. Troubleshooting (Common Issues and Solutions)
  7. Conclusion
  8. References

1. System Update#

Before installing any new software, it's a good practice to update your Arch Linux system. Open a terminal (you can use the default xterm or any terminal emulator you prefer) and run the following commands:

sudo pacman -Syu

This command will update the package list (pacman -Sy) and then upgrade all the installed packages (pacman -Su). Wait for the process to complete. It might take some time depending on your internet speed and the number of updates available.

2. Installing MATE Desktop Packages#

Now, it's time to install the MATE Desktop packages. In the terminal, run the following command:

sudo pacman -S mate mate-extra

The mate package installs the core components of the MATE Desktop, while mate-extra installs additional useful applications and utilities that are often associated with the MATE environment (such as file managers, text editors, etc.).

During the installation process, you may be prompted to confirm the installation by pressing y and then Enter. Pacman will download and install all the required packages.

A display manager is responsible for handling the login screen and starting the desktop environment. While it's possible to start MATE without a display manager (by using the command line to start the desktop session), using a display manager provides a more user-friendly experience.

To install LightDM (a lightweight display manager), run the following command:

sudo pacman -S lightdm lightdm-gtk-greeter

After installation, enable and start the LightDM service:

sudo systemctl enable lightdm
sudo systemctl start lightdm

GDM (if you prefer the GNOME Display Manager)#

If you want to use GDM (which is also compatible with MATE), install it with:

sudo pacman -S gdm

Then enable and start it:

sudo systemctl enable gdm
sudo systemctl start gdm

4. Rebooting and Logging In#

Once the installation and configuration (if you chose a display manager) are complete, reboot your system:

sudo reboot

After the system restarts, you should see the login screen (if you installed a display manager). Enter your username and password. If everything is set up correctly, you should be greeted with the MATE Desktop.

If you didn't install a display manager, you can start the MATE session from the command line. After logging in to the console (tty), run:

startx

This will start the X Window System and launch the MATE Desktop.

5. Customizing MATE Desktop#

Themes and Icons#

MATE allows you to customize its appearance. You can install different themes and icon sets. For example, to install the arc-gtk-theme (a popular theme) and papirus-icon-theme (a nice icon set), run:

sudo pacman -S arc-gtk-theme papirus-icon-theme

Then, open the "Appearance" settings in the MATE Control Center. Here, you can select the installed theme and icon set.

Panel and Widgets#

The MATE panel is highly customizable. Right-click on the panel and select "Add to Panel" to add various widgets like launchers, applets (e.g., clock, weather), etc. You can also resize and reposition the panel as per your preference.

6. Troubleshooting (Common Issues and Solutions)#

Black Screen after Login#

  • Cause: This could be due to a graphics driver issue or a problem with the display manager configuration.
  • Solution: Check your graphics driver installation. For example, if you have an NVIDIA GPU, make sure the nvidia and nvidia-utils packages are installed and configured correctly. Also, check the display manager logs (e.g., /var/log/lightdm/lightdm.log for LightDM) for any error messages.

Missing Applications#

  • Cause: Sometimes, during the installation, some packages might not have been installed properly.
  • Solution: Run sudo pacman -Syu again to check for any missing updates. If specific applications are missing, try reinstalling the mate-extra package or install the individual application package (e.g., sudo pacman -S mate-calc if the calculator is missing).

7. Conclusion#

Installing the MATE Desktop in Arch Linux is a straightforward process. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can enjoy a classic and stable desktop environment. Remember to keep your system updated and customize MATE to suit your needs. Whether you're a casual user or a power user, MATE offers a great balance of functionality and ease of use.

8. References#

This guide should help you get started with MATE on Arch Linux. If you encounter any other issues not covered here, don't hesitate to search the Arch Linux forums or relevant online communities for further assistance.