Changing the Expected Locations

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 143 views

Introduction

As a nixOS user, you may encounter issues with certain applications that rely on specific system tools. In this case, we're dealing with the wmctrl tool, which is required by the EVE-O Preview 8.0.2.0 (linux) application. Despite having wmctrl installed, the application is unable to find it in the expected locations. In this article, we'll explore the possible causes of this issue and provide solutions to resolve it.

Understanding the Issue

The error message wmctrl not found in expected locations indicates that the EVE-O Preview application is unable to locate the wmctrl tool in the standard system locations. This is not surprising, given that wmctrl is installed in a non-standard location on nixOS.

Locating the `wmctrl` Tool

To verify that wmctrl is indeed installed, you can use the which command with the -a option:

❯ : which -a wmctrl
/home/dusty/.nix-profile/bin/wmctrl

This output confirms that wmctrl is installed in the /home/dusty/.nix-profile/bin directory.

Expected Locations for `wmctrl`

The expected locations for wmctrl are typically the standard system directories, such as /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin, or /usr/sbin. However, since wmctrl is installed in a non-standard location on nixOS, the application is unable to find it.

Changing the Expected Locations

Unfortunately, it's not possible to change the expected locations for wmctrl directly. However, you can create a symlink to the actual location of wmctrl to make it accessible to the application.

Creating a Symlink

To create a symlink to the wmctrl tool, you can use the ln command:

❯ : ln -s /home/dusty/.nix-profile/bin/wmctrl /usr/bin/wmctrl

This will create a symlink to the wmctrl tool in the /usr/bin directory, which is one of the expected locations.

Verifying the Symlink

To verify that the symlink is working correctly, you can use the which command again:

❯ : which wmctrl
/usr/bin/wmctrl

This output confirms that the symlink is working correctly and that the application should now be able to find the wmctrl tool.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the wmctrl not found in expected locations error on nixOS is caused by the application's inability to locate the wmctrl tool in the standard system locations. By creating a symlink to the actual location of wmctrl, you can make it accessible to the application and resolve the issue.

Additional Tips

Make sure to update the symlink whenever the wmctrl tool is updated or moved to a different location.
Consider creating a script to automate the creation of the symlink, especially if you're using a version control system like Git.
If you're experiencing issues with other system tools, consider creating a similar symlink to resolve the issue.

Troubleshooting

If you're still experiencing issues with the wmctrl not found in expected locations error, try the following:

Check the application's logs for any additional error messages or clues.
Verify that the symlink is working correctly by using the which command.
Consider reaching out to the application's developers or community for further assistance.

References

EVE-Tools.net: A community-driven resource for EVE Online tools and guides.
nixOS: A Linux distribution that focuses on simplicity, security, and reproducibility.
which command: A command-line tool that displays the path to a given executable.
ln command: A command-line tool that creates a symbolic link to a file or directory.
wmctrl not found in expected locations on nixOS: Q&A =====================================================

Q: What is the `wmctrl` tool, and why is it required by the EVE-O Preview application?

A: The wmctrl tool is a command-line utility that provides a way to control and manipulate windows on the X Window System. The EVE-O Preview application requires wmctrl to function correctly, as it uses the tool to interact with the window manager.

Q: Why is `wmctrl` not found in the expected locations on nixOS?

A: On nixOS, wmctrl is installed in a non-standard location, which is /home/dusty/.nix-profile/bin/wmctrl. This is because nixOS uses a package manager called Nix, which installs packages in a non-standard location.

Q: How can I create a symlink to the `wmctrl` tool to make it accessible to the application?

A: To create a symlink to the wmctrl tool, you can use the ln command:

❯ : ln -s /home/dusty/.nix-profile/bin/wmctrl /usr/bin/wmctrl

This will create a symlink to the wmctrl tool in the /usr/bin directory, which is one of the expected locations.

Q: How do I verify that the symlink is working correctly?

A: To verify that the symlink is working correctly, you can use the which command:

❯ : which wmctrl
/usr/bin/wmctrl

This output confirms that the symlink is working correctly and that the application should now be able to find the wmctrl tool.

Q: What if I'm still experiencing issues with the `wmctrl not found in expected locations` error?

A: If you're still experiencing issues with the wmctrl not found in expected locations error, try the following:

Check the application's logs for any additional error messages or clues.
Verify that the symlink is working correctly by using the which command.
Consider reaching out to the application's developers or community for further assistance.

Q: Can I use a different version of `wmctrl` to resolve the issue?

A: It's possible to use a different version of wmctrl to resolve the issue, but it's not recommended. The application is designed to work with a specific version of wmctrl, and using a different version may cause compatibility issues.

Q: How do I update the symlink when the `wmctrl` tool is updated or moved to a different location?

A: To update the symlink when the wmctrl tool is updated or moved to a different location, simply recreate the symlink using the ln command:

❯ : ln -s /new/location/wmctrl /usr/bin/wmctrl

Replace /new/location/wmctrl with the actual location of the updated or moved wmctrl tool.

Q: Can I automate the creation of the symlink using a script?

A: Yes, you can automate the creation of the symlink using a script. This can be especially useful if you're using a version control system like Git. Simply create a script that creates the symlink and add it to your version control system.

Q: Where can I find more information about the `wmctrl` tool and its usage?

A: You can find more information about the wmctrl tool and its usage on the official website of the tool's developers. Additionally, you can search for online resources and tutorials that provide more information about using the wmctrl tool.