Ayedoun Châ-Fine ADEBI

Posted on Dec 27

🌟 Ready to transform your desktop into a superpower? Let's get started! 🚀

#tutorial #windowsmanager #i3 #xfce4

Part 1: Installing XFCE and i3

Step 1: Get Ready for Action - Install XFCE and i3

Before we begin, you need to install XFCE (a lightweight, awesome desktop) and i3 (a tiling window manager that’ll make you feel like a wizard). It’s simple:

For Ubuntu/Debian users:

Open up your terminal and type:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install i3 xfce4 xfce4-goodies

For Void Linux users:

Type this into the terminal to make your computer even cooler:

sudo xbps-install -S i3 xfce4 xfce4-goodies

Now, sit back and relax while the magic happens (aka, your system installs all the goodies).

Part 2: Let's Get to Work — Set Up i3 as the Window Manager

Alright, it’s time to do some wizardry and make i3 take control of your windows. 😎

Step 2: Tweak XFCE to Make i3 Your Window Manager

Log into XFCE first! If you're using a login manager like LightDM, select the XFCE session to log in.
Tell XFCE to Use i3:
We’re going to tell XFCE, "Hey, i3 is now in charge!":
Open a terminal and run this command:

   xfconf-query -c xfce4-session -p /sessions/Failsafe/Client0_Command -t string -s "i3" --create

Restart and See the Magic: Log out, then log back in. You’ll now see i3 taking charge with all the power of XFCE still backing it up. 😁

Part 3: Make it Look Cool — Wallpapers and Panels

Step 3: Set Your Wallpaper Like a Boss Using feh

We’re going to make your desktop look awesome with a wallpaper, using feh. It’s lightweight and fast—perfect for i3!

Install feh:
- Debian/Ubuntu:
```
 sudo apt install feh
```

Void Linux:
```
 sudo xbps-install -S feh
```

Set the Wallpaper: Now, we’re going to make your desktop look amazing:

   feh --bg-scale /path/to/your/wallpaper.jpg

(Replace /path/to/your/wallpaper.jpg with your wallpaper file’s location).

Make it Stick:
Want the wallpaper to stick around? We’ll make sure it shows up every time i3 starts:
- Open your i3 config file:
```
 nano ~/.config/i3/config
```

Add this line to the file:

 exec --no-startup-id feh --bg-scale /path/to/your/wallpaper.jpg

Save it, then reload i3 with Mod + Shift + R. Now you have the wallpaper forever!

Step 4: XFCE Panel — The Superhero of Your Desktop (Optional)

We’re going to bring the XFCE panel to life! 🎉

Open the XFCE Panel Preferences:

   xfce4-panel --preferences

Adjust the panel settings—move it, resize it, and add things like a clock, system tray, and application menu.
Autostart the Panel:
Let’s make sure the panel starts automatically when i3 does:
- Open your i3 config file:
```
 nano ~/.config/i3/config
```

Add this line to start the panel every time i3 launches:
```
 exec --no-startup-id xfce4-panel &
```

Save and reload i3, and you’ll have your XFCE panel right on top of i3. Cool, right? 😎

Part 4: Make i3 Even More Fun — Customizations

Step 5: Keybindings for i3 — Control Your World

Now, we’re going to make sure i3 listens to your every command. We’ll set up some cool keybindings for a smooth ride!

Open your i3 config file:

   nano ~/.config/i3/config

Add some sweet keybindings. Here are some to start:
- Open terminal with Mod + Enter:
```
 bindsym $mod+Return exec i3-sensible-terminal
```

Open Firefox with Mod + B:
```
 bindsym $mod+b exec firefox
```

Switch between windows (move your focus like a ninja):

 bindsym $mod+j focus left
 bindsym $mod+k focus down
 bindsym $mod+l focus up
 bindsym $mod+semicolon focus right

Save the file, and reload i3 (Mod + Shift + R). Now you’re ready to control your world with these shortcuts!

Step 6: i3 Gaps — Because Gaps are Cool

Want some extra space between your windows for that extra flair? Let’s install i3-gaps, the cool sibling of i3.

Install i3-gaps:
- Debian/Ubuntu:
```
 sudo apt install i3-gaps
```

Void Linux:
```
 sudo xbps-install -S i3-gaps
```

Set up your gaps: Open your i3 config file (~/.config/i3/config) and add this:

   gaps inner 10
   gaps outer 10

(Adjust the numbers for bigger/smaller gaps.)

Reload i3, and voilà! Your windows have sweet gaps between them.

Part 5: Extra Cool Tweaks — Because You’re a Power User Now

Step 7: Install Rofi — Your Stylish App Launcher

Want to launch apps like a pro? Let’s install Rofi!

Install Rofi:
- Debian/Ubuntu:
```
 sudo apt install rofi
```

Void Linux:
```
 sudo xbps-install -S rofi
```

Set it up in i3: Add this line to your i3 config file:

   bindsym $mod+d exec rofi -show drun

Reload i3, and now you have a super sleek app launcher! 🚀

Conclusion: You’re Now a Master of XFCE + i3! 🎉

Look at you now! You’ve set up i3 with XFCE, customized your desktop, and made it look awesome. You’re officially a Linux wizard! 🧙‍♂️✨

Feel free to explore and tweak more settings—because Linux is all about personalization. Have fun experimenting and making your setup unique. The possibilities are endless!

If you run into any roadblocks or just want to add something cool, come back to this guide anytime.

Happy Linuxing! 😎🎉

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