i3wm Keybinds & FAQ
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.
Application Control
Section titled “Application Control”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Open terminal | |
| Open Rofi (Program launcher) | |
| Kill focused window |
Workspace Navigation
Section titled “Workspace Navigation”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Go to workspace (1-9) |
Window Navigation
Section titled “Window Navigation”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Change focus left | |
| Change focus right | |
| Change focus up | |
| Change focus down | |
| Focus last floating/tiling container |
Window Management
Section titled “Window Management”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Move focused window to workspace (1-9) | |
| Move focused window left | |
| Move focused window right | |
| Move focused window up | |
| Move focused window down | |
| Toggle fullscreen mode | |
| Toggle floating mode |
Layout Control
Section titled “Layout Control”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Split layout horizontally | |
| Split layout vertically | |
| Split toggle | |
| Change container layout to stacking | |
| Change container layout to tabbed |
Resize Mode
Section titled “Resize Mode”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Enter resize mode | |
| Resize left (in resize mode) | |
| Resize right (in resize mode) | |
| Resize up (in resize mode) | |
| Resize down (in resize mode) | |
| Exit resize mode |
System Controls
Section titled “System Controls”| Description | Key |
|---|---|
| Lock screen | |
| Reload i3 configuration | |
| Restart i3 in place | |
| Exit i3 (end X session) |
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?
Section titled “What differentiates exec from exec_always?”exec_always gives you the possibility to always execute a certain action even after i3wm got reloaded.
- For more reference and information, checkout their i3’s user guide
- https://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#exec
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.