# SLiM: The BcalcOS Display Manager

**URL:** <https://bcalcos.discourse.group/t/slim-the-bcalcos-display-manager/37>\
**Category:** More You Know\
**Created:** [September 10, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://bcalcos.discourse.group/t/slim-the-bcalcos-display-manager/37 "2026-09-10T00:07:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![bcalc](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex008/user_avatar/bcalcos.discourse.group/bcalc/32/11_2.png) [@bcalc](https://bcalcos.discourse.group/u/bcalc)\
**Post date:** [September 10, 2026, 12:07am UTC](https://bcalcos.discourse.group/t/slim-the-bcalcos-display-manager/37/1 "2026-09-10T00:07:51Z")

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BcalcOS uses SLiM (Simple Login Manager) as its display manager.

It provides the graphical login screen and starts the user’s graphical desktop session after authentication.

### Why SLiM?

SLiM is simple, lightweight, and focused on doing its job without unnecessary complexity.

### What Does SLiM Do?

When BcalcOS reaches graphical startup, SLiM presents the login screen after which it starts your configured graphical session.

In simplified form:  
SysVinit → SLiM → Xfce

XLibre provides the X11 display server used by the graphical environment.

### What Does This Mean for Users?

For most users, SLiM is simply the login screen. After authentication, it starts Xfce and gets you to your desktop.

### In Depth: SLiM

We have a [6 part series](https://bcalcos.discourse.group/t/bcalcos-vignettes/79) going into more detail.