Linux Window Managers

⌨ Linux Window Managers Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to window managers on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including i3, Awesome, bspwm, Sway, Wayfire, Qtile, Hyprland, and more.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding Window Managers
2. i3 Window Manager
3. Awesome Window Manager
4. bspwm
5. Sway (Wayland)
6. CachyOS-Specific Window Managers
7. Other Window Managers
8. Troubleshooting

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Understanding Window Managers

What is a Window Manager?

Window manager manages windows on your screen.

What it does:

• Window placement: Places windows on screen
• Window behavior: Controls window behavior
• Keyboard shortcuts: Provides shortcuts
• Workspaces: Manages workspaces

Types:

• Tiling: Windows arranged automatically
• Floating: Windows can overlap
• Compositing: Visual effects and animations

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i3 Window Manager

Install i3

Arch Linux / CachyOS:

# Install i3
sudo pacman -S i3-wm i3status i3lock dmenu

# For gaps
yay -S i3-gaps

CachyOS with settings:

# Install i3 with CachyOS settings
sudo pacman -S i3 cachyos-i3wm-settings

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install i3 i3status i3lock dmenu

Configure i3

Configure i3:

# Create config
mkdir -p ~/.config/i3
cp /etc/i3/config ~/.config/i3/config

# Edit config
vim ~/.config/i3/config

Key bindings:

Mod key = Windows/Super key

Mod+Enter: Terminal
Mod+D: Application launcher
Mod+Shift+Q: Close window
Mod+Shift+E: Exit i3

Reload config:

Super + Shift + R

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Awesome Window Manager

Install Awesome

Arch Linux / CachyOS:

# Install Awesome
sudo pacman -S awesome

# Launch
awesome

Configure Awesome

Configure Awesome:

# Create config
mkdir -p ~/.config/awesome
cp /etc/xdg/awesome/rc.lua ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua

# Edit config
vim ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua

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bspwm

Install bspwm

Arch Linux / CachyOS:

# Install bspwm
sudo pacman -S bspwm sxhkd

# Configure
mkdir -p ~/.config/bspwm
vim ~/.config/bspwm/bspwmrc

# Hotkey daemon
vim ~/.config/sxhkd/sxhkdrc

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Sway (Wayland)

Install Sway

Arch Linux / CachyOS:

# Install Sway
sudo pacman -S sway swaybg swayidle swaylock

# Configure
mkdir -p ~/.config/sway
cp /etc/sway/config ~/.config/sway/config

# Edit config
vim ~/.config/sway/config

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CachyOS-Specific Window Managers

Wayfire

Install Wayfire:

# Install Wayfire
sudo pacman -S wayfire

# With CachyOS settings
sudo pacman -S wayfire cachyos-wayfire-settings

What is Wayfire:

• Compositing window manager
• Wayland-based
• Modern and fast
• Good for CachyOS

Qtile

Install Qtile:

# Install Qtile
sudo pacman -S qtile

# With CachyOS settings
sudo pacman -S qtile cachyos-qtile-settings

What is Qtile:

• Tiling window manager
• Written in Python
• Highly configurable
• Good for developers

Niri

Install Niri:

# Install Niri
yay -S niri

# With CachyOS settings
sudo pacman -S niri cachyos-niri-settings

What is Niri:

• Scrollable tiling window manager
• Wayland-based
• Modern design
• Good for productivity

Hyprland

Install Hyprland:

# Install Hyprland
yay -S hyprland

# Or from AUR
yay -S hyprland-git

What is Hyprland:

• Dynamic tiling compositor
• Wayland-based
• Beautiful animations
• Highly customizable

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Other Window Managers

Openbox

Install Openbox:

# Install Openbox
sudo pacman -S openbox

# Configure
mkdir -p ~/.config/openbox
cp /etc/xdg/openbox/rc.xml ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml

dwm

Install dwm:

# Install dwm
sudo pacman -S dwm

# Or build from source
git clone https://git.suckless.org/dwm
cd dwm
make && sudo make install

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Troubleshooting

Window Manager Not Starting

Check config:

# Check i3 config
i3-config-wizard

# Check Sway config
sway -C ~/.config/sway/config

Key Bindings Not Working

Reload config:

# i3
Super + Shift + R

# Sway
Super + Shift + C

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Summary

This guide covered window managers for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions, including i3, Awesome, bspwm, Sway, and CachyOS-specific options like Wayfire, Qtile, and Niri.

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Next Steps

• Desktop Environments - Desktop environments
• Display Server Configuration - X11 vs Wayland
• Desktop Environment Keybinds - Keyboard shortcuts
• ArchWiki Window Managers: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Window_manager

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. CachyOS-specific window managers and settings packages are highlighted where applicable.