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Gnoppix Linux

i3wm Configuration

Credits go to vnepogodin for making this simple and easy to understand config

X11 only, not compatible with Wayland

Keybinds

Section titled “Keybinds”

Most of the key combinations require the use of the mod key which in our case is the Windows key (referenced as SUPER), you can change it on the config file.

Open terminal

Section titled “Open terminal”
  • SUPER + Return

Kill focused window

Section titled “Kill focused window”
  • SUPER + Q

Go to workspace (1-9)

Section titled “Go to workspace (1-9)”
  • SUPER + 1-9 (Number row, number pad does not count)

Open Rofi (Program launcher)

Section titled “Open Rofi (Program launcher)”
  • CTRL + Space

Change focus to (Left,Right,Up,Down)

Section titled “Change focus to (Left,Right,Up,Down)”
  • SUPER + ArrowKeys

Move focused window to (Left,Right,Up,Down)

Section titled “Move focused window to (Left,Right,Up,Down)”
  • SUPER + Shift + ArrowKeys

Move focused window to workspace (1-9)

Section titled “Move focused window to workspace (1-9)”
  • SUPER + Shift + 1-9 (Number row, number pad does not count)

Split layout in a horizontal orientation

Section titled “Split layout in a horizontal orientation”
  • SUPER + H

Split layout in a vertical orientation

Section titled “Split layout in a vertical orientation”
  • SUPER + V

Split toggle

Section titled “Split toggle”
  • SUPER + T

Toggle fullscreen mode in focused window

Section titled “Toggle fullscreen mode in focused window”
  • SUPER + F

Focus last floating/tiling container

Section titled “Focus last floating/tiling container”
  • SUPER + Space

Toggle floating mode in focused window

Section titled “Toggle floating mode in focused window”
  • SUPER + Shift + Space

Change container layout to (stacking,tabbed)

Section titled “Change container layout to (stacking,tabbed)”
  • SUPER + S (stacking)
  • SUPER + W (tabbed)

Restart i3 in place (ie after an i3wm update or bug)

Section titled “Restart i3 in place (ie after an i3wm update or bug)”
  • SUPER + Shift + R

Reload i3 configuration file

Section titled “Reload i3 configuration file”
  • SUPER + Shift + C

Exit i3 (end running X session)

Section titled “Exit i3 (end running X session)”
  • SUPER + Shift + E

Lock your screen

Section titled “Lock your screen”

To unlock it, type your user password and press Return.

  • SUPER + L

Enter resize mode

Section titled “Enter resize mode”
  • Super + R

Resize focused window while being on resize mode

Section titled “Resize focused window while being on resize mode”
  • ArrowKeys

Exit resize mode

Section titled “Exit resize mode”
  • Return
  • Escape
  • Super + R

FAQ

Section titled “FAQ”

How can create an autostart for a program? for example “set a wallpaper at start”

Section titled “How can create an autostart for a program? for example “set a wallpaper at start””
  • i3 already includes an flexible autostart feature that allows you to execute any program or even commands

If you look at the end of our config file, you’ll see some lines starting with exec and exec_always

For example:

exec chromium This means that chromium is going to start in workspace 1 whenever you log in into your i3 session

  • What differentiates exec from exec_always?

exec_always gives you the possibility to always execute a certain action even after i3wm got reloaded

Do the multimedia keys work?

Section titled “Do the multimedia keys work?”
  • Yes they do.

For more information about i3wm. Please check out their wiki for reference.