Desktop Mode
August 7, 2026 · View on GitHub
Desktop mode forwards a complete desktop session in a window, instead of forwarding each application window separately as in seamless mode. It requires an X11 server on the Xpra server and is not available on macOS or Windows servers.
Choose a desktop mode
Use desktop mode for one virtual screen, or monitor mode when the client has multiple displays and the server supports Xdummy.
Desktop mode
desktop runs a full desktop environment in one virtual screen. Its behaviour
is similar to VNC, with the additional benefits of the Xpra protocol, including
audio and printer forwarding. See the forwarded features.
You can also connect to a desktop session with a VNC client.
Monitor mode
monitor is an improved version of desktop for multi-monitor clients. It
mirrors the client’s monitor layout and can expose a separate virtual monitor
for each client display, rather than placing the whole desktop in one window.
Monitor mode is supported only on server platforms where Xdummy is available. It is not supported with the simpler Xvfb backend. See the Xdummy guide for platform and package requirements.
Shadowing an existing desktop
To access an existing desktop session, use the shadow server. Shadow mode is also available on macOS and Windows, where X11 desktop and monitor servers are not.
Start a session
Start the server first, then connect from an Xpra client or a compatible VNC client.
Desktop mode
xpra desktop --start=xterm
Then connect as usual from the client, or with a VNC client.
Monitor mode
On a server with Xdummy support, start the multi-monitor session with:
xpra monitor --start=xterm
Attach from an Xpra client as usual. The server follows the client’s monitor layout as it changes.
Start and connect in one command
Use the SSH syntax from the client when you want to start and attach in one step:
xpra desktop --start=xterm ssh://USER@HOST/
Replace desktop with monitor when the server supports Xdummy and you want
multi-monitor mode.
Run a window manager or desktop environment
Replace the example application with the command that starts the window manager or desktop environment of your choice.
Example: Fluxbox
xpra desktop --start=fluxbox
The same --start option works with monitor. More featureful window
managers and desktop environments tend to use more bandwidth and may appear to
run more slowly.
Desktop size
The initial desktop size comes from the default resolution of the xvfb
backend. Resize the virtual screen at any time with regular X11 tools such as
xrandr.
Set the initial size
xpra desktop --resize-display="1024x768" --start=fluxbox
Monitor mode sizing
Monitor mode uses the client’s monitor geometry. Configure the Xdummy virtual size large enough for the maximum combined monitor layout; see the Xdummy configuration guide.
End the session with the window manager
Use --start-child together with --exit-with-children if the session should
terminate when the window manager exits.
Shutdown actions
Some desktop environments show options to shut down or reboot the system from their start menu. Decide whether those actions are appropriate for the server.