xpra

xpra start [options] :DISPLAY
xpra attach [options] :DISPLAY
xpra stop [options] :DISPLAY
xpra upgrade [options] :DISPLAY
xpra shadow [options] :DISPLAY
xpra info [options] :DISPLAY
xpra control [options] :DISPLAY command [arguments]

--start=COMMAND
    Start the specified command on the server.

--attach=SOCKET
    Connect to the specified socket.

--detach=SOCKET
    Detach from the specified socket.

--exit-with-client
    Exit the server when the last client disconnects.

--opengl=VALUE
    Enable or disable OpenGL acceleration (VALUE: yes, no, auto).

--encoding=ENCODING
    Specify the default encoding to use (e.g., png, jpeg, h264).

--compressors=COMPRESSORS
    Specify the compressors to use.

--dpi=DPI
    Sets the DPI of the server.

--password-file=FILE
    Specify the file containing the password.

--title=TITLE
    The title to use for the client window.

--ssh=COMMAND
    Command to use for ssh connections.

--daemon=yes|no
    Run in daemon mode.

--sharing
    Allows multiple clients to connect to the same session.

--speaker=on|off
    Enable audio forwarding.

--clipboard=yes|no|read|write
    Enable clipboard forwarding.

--keyboard-sync=yes|no
    Enable keyboard synchronization.

xpra is a multi-platform persistent remote display server and client for forwarding applications and desktops. It gives you seamless access to remote applications, which appear as if they're running locally. Unlike traditional remote desktop solutions like VNC, xpra is application-oriented, allowing you to detach and re-attach to running applications without losing state. It supports various protocols and encodings, making it suitable for a wide range of network conditions. It can handle multiple clients connecting to the same server, making it useful for collaboration.
xpra aims to provide a more efficient and flexible remote display experience, particularly when dealing with high-latency or low-bandwidth connections. It features advanced compression techniques and efficient use of resources, making it a powerful tool for remote work, development, and collaboration. xpra provides the ability to use multiple display protocols (X11, OpenGL, ...), can run headless and provide remote access via SSH.

Some encodings may require specific libraries to be installed on both the server and the client. OpenGL acceleration requires a compatible graphics card and drivers.

The ':DISPLAY' parameter specifies the X11 display to use. If the display is already in use, xpra can attach to it. Otherwise, it will create a new virtual display. You can start multiple xpra servers on different displays.

The 'shadow' mode allows xpra to attach to an existing X11 session. This is useful for remote support or for accessing a graphical session already running on a server.

xpra can be configured using configuration files. The location of these files varies depending on the operating system and user configuration. Configuration files allow setting default values for various parameters, such as encodings, compression levels, and network settings.

xpra was created by Antoine Martin and has been under active development since its inception. The project focuses on providing a more efficient and flexible remote display solution compared to traditional methods. It has evolved significantly over time, adding support for new encodings, protocols, and features. It found uses in remote desktop environment, remote development and as a tool to run GUI apps on servers.

ssh(1), vnc(1)