I'm trying to set up a Debian system since it's been recommended for reliability, and I want to use a tiling window manager to better handle how I work with my applications. I've been diving into configuring Sway, but I didn't expect to have to create an entire config file from scratch and it's been really challenging. I've spent about four hours on it and felt like I've made very little progress. Is it typical for setup to take this long? Are there any tiling window managers that come with a decent starting configuration so I don't have to build everything from the ground up?
5 Answers
Not all tiling window managers are like Sway. You might want to check out options like bspwm or xmonad; they can have better starting points with sample configurations. They typically give you a working config to modify, rather than starting from scratch. Just gotta find one that suits your style!
Yeah, I think bspwm comes with a default config that’s pretty actionable!
Don't forget that KDE has tiling features built-in. You don’t necessarily need a separate tiling manager if you just want some basic tiling functionality. You can quickly set up your windows with shortcuts and control layouts without all that hassle!
I tried KDE's features, but they felt limited for my needs. Any tips for better use?
Consider exploring kwin scripts; they expand capabilities and make the experience smoother.
Setting up a tiling window manager can definitely feel overwhelming! A lot of people don't do everything at once and usually start with a base config that's already there, like an old i3 or default sway config. You can get the basics down first and then tweak it as you go. Usually, once you have the core parts sorted out, you can customize the rest as you discover what you want or need later on.
Right! It’s really about getting that initial setup working, then you can layer on the custom stuff when you're less stressed.
Totally. And even if sway starts as a blank slate, there are community configs out there you can build on to save time.
Some TWM setups can be pretty minimal, and that's a good thing! DWM is super straightforward if you prefer something that's not overloaded with options. It’s definitely a simple way to just manage your screens without diving into complex configurations.
I was looking for something simple like that! How does it compare with Sway for basic usability?
DWM runs on X11, but it’s effective and fast. If you don’t need modern features, it’s a solid pick!
Using shared dotfiles from the community can be helpful. They often come with comments that explain what's configured, allowing you to learn as you tweak. Just make sure to grasp the basics first—or you might run into issues if you tweak something you don't fully get yet!
That's a good point. I’ll need to invest some time to understand them better before diving into customization.
Exactly! If you don’t have the same packages as someone else’s config, things might break without clear reasons.
Could you suggest any specific configs for them that I might start with? Would really appreciate it!