# The pekwm start file

The `~/.pekwm/start` file is the simplest of all of pekwm's config files. It's a simple shell script that's run on pekwm startup. Therefore, to run, it needs to be set executable with `chmod +x ~/.pekwm/start`.

Why anyone would use `start` rather than just use their `~/.xinitrc` file? Well, the answer is, the start file is executed during the pekwm initialization phase - therefore, it gets re-executed when you issue a pekwm 'restart'.

Here's an example pekwm `start` file. Be careful to place long running applications to the background, or you will seem stuck when trying to start pekwm.

    #!/bin/sh

    xmessage 'hi. pekwm started.' &
    some_command &