There are packages like image libraries, Java etc that rely on X11 libraries. The safe default is to have it around.

You can always choose to not install all X* packages. In fact, for a server oftentimes you don’t need more than the base package (you barely need a compiler either or games).

Again, not saying it's a bad choice. Just saying the community is not welcoming.

nothing is "bundled" by default. the x11 file sets are optional.

https://www.openbsd.org/faq/faq4.html#FilesNeeded

Can't you just not select the X-related file sets during installation?

No, and apparently it's for a good reason, but don't ask why.

You absolutely can and if you know that you don’t install software that needs it, there is no reason to install X during installation.

That's not the answer I got on their IRC a few years back.

So, a random person on #openbsd once said you to RTFM and you are still salty a few years after? My (also anecdotal) experience with the openbsd community is very positive, so here's that.

I wouldn't waste a second writing about it if it happened only once.

#openbsd on Libera is unofficial last time I checked. The only official communication channel would be misc@ for a question such as this.

"They" don't have an "IRC". #openbsd on Freenode/Libera is an unofficial venue. The channel isn't endorsed by the project or the foundation. In some moments you run into friendly people, and in other moments you run into angry people. It's not an OpenBSD thing. As someone who has been a regular in #openbsd for some 20 years I will assure that it's mostly friendly and helpful.

> And then when you ask why the X11 server is bundled by default, even on a headless install, that's not in the FAQ

https://www.openbsd.org/faq/faq4.html#FilesNeeded

> New users are recommended to install all of them.

> Some libraries from xbase72.tgz, like freetype or fontconfig, can be used outside of X by programs that manipulate text or graphics. Such programs will usually need fonts, either from xfont72.tgz or font packages. For the sake of simplicity, the developers decided against maintaining a minimal xbase72.tgz set that would allow most non-X ports to run.

On a server, you need x11 clients and xauth, if you want to run x11 programs via ssh x11 forwarding.

> New users are recommended to install all of them.

That's kind of bullshit though. If someone has plenty of experience with *nix OSs then OBSD isn't that strange, and a 'new' user asking a reasonable question should not be greeting with attitude.