Tutorials/Using Other Window Managers with Plasma

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Introduction

KWin is the default window manager (WM) in Plasma and has lot of features, but only support floating windows. If you want to use tilling windows with a keyboard focused experience you need to use i3 (or another tilling window manager).

Installation

Before starting the configuration, you should make sure i3 or i3-gaps are installed on your system. If not use your packet manager or Discover to install one of this two packages. You should also install a compositor, because unlike KWin, i3 don't ship with an integrated compositor. I recommend the use of compton.

I3 configuration

Create a default i3 configuration

Note
If you already have an i3 configuration file (usually at .i3/config or .config/i3/config), you can skip this step.


Open a console and type i3-config-wizard. This command open a small windows that will help you create a configuration file.

Configure i3 to work with Plasma

  • Create a shell script, containing the following
#!/bin/sh
export KDEWM=/usr/bin/i3
  • Start System Settings
  • Select Startup and Shutdown
  • Select "Autostart"
  • Click the "Add script" button below the list
  • Enter the location of the script created above, or use the folder icon to use a dialog to find it. Click OK, the script will be added to the list
  • In the Run On column, select Before Session Startup from the drop down list
  • The chosen window manager will be used the next time you log in
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