0x0037 - X11 as root

Sometimes you just need to run an X11 application as root.

Linux disables and mangles  this by default and there is a bit of setup to make it work.

a. Make a .Xuthority file as root.  To have the file made you need to ssh login as root, as in -

nano /etc/ssh/sshd_config

Set as:

Now login as root so it makes your .Xauthority file..

b. Now as the local user get your magic cookie:

Something like this will be printed.

Now sudo as root and retype that same command again:

Now you should be able to access X11 Applications via root:

xclock