Configuring The Window Manager i3

The article introduces i3 as a Linux window manager that replaces the usual desktop environment with a lighter, more flexible setup. It explains that i3 is designed for keyboard use, gives more control over window placement, and can be customized through a config file.

Reading notes

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• i3 is presented as a Linux-only alternative to desktop environments, especially useful for people who already use the terminal often.
• The article argues that i3 uses fewer resources, stays out of the way, and lets users add only the functions they need.
• i3 organizes the screen as a tree with workspaces, containers, and windows.
• Containers can use split, stacked, or tabbed layouts, and windows can be fixed or floating.
• The default modifier key is the Windows or Cmd key, stored as $mod in the config.
• The default shortcuts shown in the article include opening terminals, changing focus, moving windows, switching layouts, reloading the config, and quitting i3.
• i3 config files are loaded in a fixed order, and the article points to ~/.i3/config when a generated config is used.
• The config can redefine key bindings with bindsym, launch a terminal with i3-sensible-terminal, and kill a window with $mod+Shift+q.
• Without a start menu, i3 uses launchers such as dmenu_run.
• The article shows how to remap focus and movement keys to hjkl.
• It also shows how to change split orientation, define named workspaces, and move containers between them.
• workspace_auto_back_and_forth yes makes $mod+number return to the previous workspace when pressed again.
• Applications can be assigned to specific workspaces with assign, using class and instance values from xprop | grep WM_CLASS.
• Window resizing uses a resize mode, and the article suggests disabling focus_follows_mouse.
• Screen locking can be done with i3lock, and the article gives a script that builds a pixelized screenshot for the lock screen.
• A dmenu-based system menu can handle lock, logout, suspend, hibernate, reboot, and shutdown actions.
• feh can set a wallpaper on startup.
• Floating windows are recommended for pop-ups, task dialogs, and selected applications such as Keepassx.
• The article shows how to reuse colors from Xresources with set_from_resource.
• The i3 status bar can be configured through a separate i3status.conf file.
• arandr is presented as a way to configure multiple screens, with layouts saved as xrandr commands and recalled through a dmenu menu.