Setting up WSL

We may need to uninstall and re-install WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux) from time to time. Here is the step-by-step.

1. Tear down and delete all files. wsl --unregister Ubuntu-22.04
2. Re-install wsl. wsl --install Ubuntu-22.04
3. Set up keychain to auto-find ssh-agent (from Windows) and add keys
   • Copy .ssh folder from Windows to wsl ~/.ssh
   • Add to ~/.bashrc the following: eval $(keychain --eval --agents ssh id_rsa)
4. Install Docker
   • Add users to docker to allow vscode access
   • https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/linux-postinstall/
5. Essentials (get C linker)
   • sudo apt install build-essential
6. Install rust
   • https://www.rust-lang.org/tools/install
7. Install mdbook
   • cargo install mdbook mdbook-katex

ssh-agent forwarding

One challenge in WSL is to forward the ssh-agent from WSL into the devcontainer. Make sure to include the following in devcontainer.json for this to happen.

{
  "customizations": {
    "vscode": {
      "settings": {
        "remote.containers.sshForwardAgent": true
      }
    }
  }
}

Configure Blackout

It's useful to have a screen blackout command to keep jobs running but not show our screen when leaving the desk.

Click New and create a shortcut, paste the following command:

powershell.exe -Command "(Add-Type '[DllImport(\"user32.dll\")]public static extern int SendMessage(int hWnd, int hMsg, int wParam, int lParam);' -Name a -Pas)::SendMessage(-1,0x0112,0xF170,2)"

Set the shortcut name (e.g. blackout). Finally, add a keyboard shortcut to it (e.g. Ctrl + Alt + B).