mdm

mdm [options]

--help
    Displays a short usage message and exits.

--version
    Shows the program's version information and exits.

--debug
    Enables debugging output, printing verbose information to stderr or log files. This is typically used for troubleshooting during development or system issues.

MDM (Mint Display Manager) serves as the default graphical login manager for Linux Mint and its derivatives. Its primary role is to handle user authentication, allow selection of different desktop environments, and initiate the graphical session upon successful login. Designed as a highly customizable alternative to other display managers like GDM and LightDM, MDM offers extensive theming options, configurable greeting messages, and user list management. It operates as a crucial system service, typically invoked and managed by the system's init process (e.g., systemd or SysVinit) rather than being executed directly by end-users from the command line with numerous options. Its configuration is primarily driven by system-wide settings files.

MDM is specifically designed for and primarily used within the Linux Mint ecosystem. It is not typically invoked directly by users from the command line for daily operation; instead, it runs as a system service. Configuration is largely managed via its primary configuration file, /etc/mdm/mdm.conf, and dedicated setup utilities rather than direct command-line arguments.

The primary method for configuring MDM is through its main configuration file, /etc/mdm/mdm.conf. This file controls various aspects of MDM's behavior, including themes, auto-login settings, session options, and security policies.

Additionally, the mdmsetup(8) command-line utility provides a graphical interface for configuring MDM without directly editing the configuration file.

As a display manager, MDM runs as a system service. It is typically started automatically during system boot. Users can manage the MDM service using standard system initialization tools like systemctl (for systemd-based systems) or service commands (for SysVinit-based systems), for example:
sudo systemctl status mdm
sudo systemctl restart mdm

MDM was developed by the Linux Mint team as an evolution of existing display managers, aiming to provide a more robust, feature-rich, and highly customizable login experience. It sought to address perceived limitations in contemporary display managers like GDM3 and LightDM, particularly regarding theme support and overall user experience. It served as the default display manager for Linux Mint for several years before eventually being superseded by LightDM in newer Linux Mint versions, though it remains functional and can be installed for those who prefer it.

gdm(1), lightdm(1), xdm(1), xinit(1), systemd(1), mdmsetup(8)