---
title: i3wm Keybinds & FAQ
description: CachyOS i3wm keybinds & FAQ
---

import { Kbd } from 'starlight-kbd/components'

Credits go to [vnepogodin](https://github.com/vnepogodin) for making this simple and easy to understand config.

> X11 only, not compatible with Wayland

## Keybinds

Most of the key combinations require the use of the mod key which in our case is the Windows key (referenced as SUPER), you can change it on the config file.

### Application Control

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Open terminal | <Kbd linux="Super+Return" /> |
| Open Rofi (Program launcher) | <Kbd linux="Control+Space" /> |
| Kill focused window | <Kbd linux="Super+Q" /> |

### Workspace Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Go to workspace (1-9) | <Kbd linux="Super+1" /> through <Kbd linux="Super+9" /> |

### Window Navigation

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Change focus left | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowLeft" /> |
| Change focus right | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowRight" /> |
| Change focus up | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowUp" /> |
| Change focus down | <Kbd linux="Super+ArrowDown" /> |
| Focus last floating/tiling container | <Kbd linux="Super+Space" /> |

### Window Management

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Move focused window to workspace (1-9) | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+1" /> through <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+9" /> |
| Move focused window left | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowLeft" /> |
| Move focused window right | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowRight" /> |
| Move focused window up | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowUp" /> |
| Move focused window down | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+ArrowDown" /> |
| Toggle fullscreen mode | <Kbd linux="Super+F" /> |
| Toggle floating mode | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+Space" /> |

### Layout Control

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Split layout horizontally | <Kbd linux="Super+H" /> |
| Split layout vertically | <Kbd linux="Super+V" /> |
| Split toggle | <Kbd linux="Super+T" /> |
| Change container layout to stacking | <Kbd linux="Super+S" /> |
| Change container layout to tabbed | <Kbd linux="Super+W" /> |

### Resize Mode

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Enter resize mode | <Kbd linux="Super+R" /> |
| Resize left (in resize mode) | <Kbd linux="ArrowLeft" /> |
| Resize right (in resize mode) | <Kbd linux="ArrowRight" /> |
| Resize up (in resize mode) | <Kbd linux="ArrowUp" /> |
| Resize down (in resize mode) | <Kbd linux="ArrowDown" /> |
| Exit resize mode | <Kbd linux="Return" /> / <Kbd linux="Escape" /> / <Kbd linux="Super+R" /> |

### System Controls

| Description | Key |
|-------------|-----|
| Lock screen | <Kbd linux="Super+L" /> |
| Reload i3 configuration | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+C" /> |
| Restart i3 in place | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+R" /> |
| Exit i3 (end X session) | <Kbd linux="Super+Shift+E" /> |
## FAQ

### How can create an autostart for a program? for example "set a wallpaper at start"

* i3 already includes an flexible autostart feature that allows you to execute any program or even commands

If you look at the end of our config file, you'll see some lines starting with exec and exec_always.

For example:

```exec chromium```

This means that Chromium is going to start in workspace 1 whenever you log in into your i3 session.

### What differentiates exec from exec_always?

exec_always gives you the possibility to always execute a certain action even after i3wm got reloaded.

* For more reference and information, checkout their i3's user guide
* https://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#exec

### Do the multimedia keys work?

* Yes they do.

For more information about i3wm. Please check out their wiki for reference.

* https://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html
