I3 is a tiling Windows manager specially designed for the Linux operating system. Tilling is how the desktop environment organizes Windows in a grid-like structure. The i3 is known for its efficient, minimalist, and highly configurable features in the tiling Windows manager.
This blog will explain how to install the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu so let’s start with the features of the i3 Window Manager.
What are the Features of the i3 Window Manager?
The important features of the i3 Window Manager are:
- Tiling Layout: Multiple Tiling layouts including the vertical and horizontal stacking tabbed layouts are supported by the i3 Window Manager.
- Keyboard-Driven: It allows its users to control the Window Manager with the help of keyboard shortcuts.
- Community Support: It has an active community that is ready to help the new users as well as the old ones.
- Customization: The i3 Window Manager consists of a text-based configuration file that can be customized with the help of the key bindings and appearance.
What is the Method to Install i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu?
The i3 Window Manager can be installed on Ubuntu using one of the two methods:
- Using the Default Ubuntu’s Repository
- By adding its Repository
Method 1: Install i3 Window Manager Using the Ubuntu’s Default Repository
The recommended method of installing the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu is from its default repository by the following steps.
Step 1: Upgrade All the Packages
First update all the packages and then upgrade them to ensure all the packages are up to date:
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Step 2: Show the i3 Windows Manager Package
To show the available version of the i3 Window Manager package, run the command:
$ sudo apt show i3
Step 3: Install the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu
To install the available package of the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu, use the command:
$ sudo apt install i3 -y
Step 4: Verify the Installation of i3
To verify the installation of the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu, display the installed version:
$ i3 --version
How to Uninstall i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu?
To uninstall the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu, execute the command:
$ sudo apt purge i3 -y
Method 2: Install i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu by Adding the Repository
Another method of installing the i3 Window Manager by adding the repository with the following steps.
Step 1: Add the Keyring
First, add the keyring of i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu using the command:
$ /usr/lib/apt/apt-helper download-file https://debian.sur5r.net/i3/pool/main/s/sur5r-keyring/sur5r-keyring_2023.02.18_all.deb keyring.deb SHA256:a511ac5f10cd811f8a4ca44d665f2fa1add7a9f09bef238cdfad8461f5239cc4
Step 2: Install the Keyring
Next install the Debian package of the keyring:
$ sudo apt install ./keyring.deb
Step 3: Add the Repository of i3
To add thei3 Window Manager repository, run the following command:
$ echo "deb http://debian.sur5r.net/i3/ $(grep '^DISTRIB_CODENAME=' /etc/lsb-release | cut -f2 -d=) universe" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sur5r-i3.list
Step 4: Update the Repository
Now update the default repository of Ubuntu using the command:
$ sudo apt update
Step 5: Install i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu
Install the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu with the command:
$ sudo apt install i3 -y
Step 6: Display the Installed Version of i3
Display the installed version of the i3 Window Manager:
$ i3 --version
How to Switch the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu?
To switch the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu, at the time of login, choose the “i3” by clicking the “gear icon”:
How to Configure the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu?
When the user login using the i3 Window Manager, a message will be prompted on the screen to suggest you either go with the default by pressing the ESC key or press the ENTER key to set the first configuration.
Press the ENTER key to generate the config file at the mentioned location. Then it will ask users to set a modifier either the “Win” key or the “Alt” key, choose the “Win” key:
The basic configuration of the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu.
How to Use the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu?
After the basic configuration of the i3 Window Manager, only a strip with different options can be seen at the bottom:
Launch the Terminal
To launch the terminal, press the Win+ENTER key because we set “Win” as the modifier key:
Search Application
For searching some other applications, use the “Win+d” keyboard keys combination:
In the above output, it can be seen that the “file” has been searched and its related results are shown.
Launch Multiple Applications
To run multiple applications on the same screen, use the combination of the Win+SPACE+SHIFT key:
Use the Full-Screen Resolution
To use the full-screen resolution, press the keyboard shortcut of “Win+f”:
Press the Win+f again, to undo the action.
Closed the Application
To close the launched application, try the “Win+SHIFT+q” shortcut key:
Restart the i3 Window Manager
To restart the i3 Window Manager repository, press Win+SHIFT+R.
Exit the i3 Window Manager
To exit the i3 Window Manager, press the keys combination of “Win+SHIFT+E”:
This is all about the installation and basic usage of the i3 Window Manager.
Conclusion
Open the terminal and type “sudo apt install i3 -y” to install the i3 Window Manager on Ubuntu. Another method of installing the i3 Window Manager is by adding its repository. Both the specified installation methods for i3 Window Manager have been explained with their basic usage.
