To use desktop VR on Linux, you must use Monado. Monado is an open source OpenXR runtime environment for GNU/Linux, designed to provide developers with the basic elements to run on GNU/Linux platforms. Monado is an essential component for running VR projects on the Varwin platform, so a customised build of Monado is used for our needs

Desktop VR on Linux is currently running in experimental mode and only supports one HTC Vive desktop headset

Monado installation is not required to run mobile projects

InstallationLink to Installation

  1. Execute the command

    sudo apt install varwin-monado
    CODE

    This command will only work if you have executed the command

    wget -q -O - https://dist.varwin.com/debian/stable/17/setup-repo.sh | sudo bash
    CODE

    from the previous Varwin installation article

  2. Confirm the action with the password for the current user

  3. Wait for the installation to complete

LaunchLink to Launch

  1. Execute the command
    monado-service
    CODE

    Do not close the terminal window where monado-service is running, otherwise running VR applications will terminate

StoppingLink to Stopping

  1. Open the terminal
  2. Press the key combination Ctrl+C

If any errors occur during the startup process, run the command

rm /run/user/1000/monado_comp_ipc
CODE
This command should be run after each VR session ends, or when you need to restart Monado if something goes wrong