Window Managers - ulises-jeremias/dotfiles GitHub Wiki

🪟 Window Managers Configuration Guide

This guide provides an overview of how to customize the supported window managers in this dotfiles setup: i3, Openbox, and XFCE4.

[!TIP] Everything is fully customizable — from layout and keybindings to appearance and startup behavior. All configurations are version-controlled using chezmoi, making it easy to manage and sync.

🧱 General Customization Workflow

Regardless of the window manager, the general process is:

Locate the config directory
Edit files with chezmoi edit
Apply changes with chezmoi apply
Restart your WM or re-source configurations (if applicable)

🔲 i3 Window Manager

📁 Config Path: ~/.config/i3

The i3 configuration controls:

Keybindings
Workspace layout
Application launching
Status bar integration (e.g., Polybar)

To edit:

chezmoi edit ~/.config/i3/config
chezmoi apply

For more info, check the i3 customization documentation.

⚫ Openbox Window Manager

📁 Config Path: ~/.config/openbox

Openbox is a lightweight and highly customizable WM. You can tweak:

Window behavior and focus model
Desktop menus
Keybindings
Autostart applications

To edit configs:

chezmoi edit ~/.config/openbox/rc.xml
chezmoi apply

GUI alternative: Use obconf for quick edits to appearance and themes.

Explore more in the Openbox customization documentation.

🖥️ XFCE4 Desktop Environment

📁 Config Path: ~/.config/xfce4

XFCE4 is a full-featured desktop environment. Customizations here are global and apply across all your installed WMs.

Use the built-in Settings Manager:

xfce4-settings-manager

From there, configure:

Panels
Keybindings
Appearance
Power management
Preferred apps

You can also edit config files manually via chezmoi:

chezmoi edit ~/.config/xfce4 --source ~/.dotfiles
chezmoi apply

More details in the XFCE4 customization documentation.

🔧 Pro Tips

Add WM-specific autostart scripts or shared components
Mix and match (e.g., run Openbox with Polybar and Rofi)
Use chezmoi diff to preview config changes

🆘 Need Help?

If you run into issues or want to go deeper:

Check the documentation for each WM: i3, Openbox, XFCE4
Visit the Dotfiles Discussions

Customizing your window manager is one of the best ways to boost your productivity and tailor your desktop to your style — make it yours! 🎨