Recently, I mentioned that I was switching each of my Linux installs to Debian. But what does that mean for my laptops and desktops? In this video, I’ll show you the Sway window manager implementation I’ve been working on, and where it stands as of now. Plus, I’ll show you how you can set this up for yourself!
Thanks to Akamai for sponsoring this video! Check out Akamai’s cloud platform to spin up your very own Linux server!
Commands and Notes
Installing packages
The following command was used to install the required packages:
sudo apt install alacritty light sway swaybg swayidle swayimg swaylock waybar wofi fonts-font-awesomeRequired Directories
The following command will create the three required directories, if they’re not already present:
mkdir -p ~/.config/sway ~/.config/waybar ~/.config/wofiConfig Files
The Sway setup that was shown in the video requires some specific config settings. Below is a list of files, and the content that belongs in each:
~/.config/sway/config
# Ansible managed message here
#==================================================================================#
# Sway Window Manager Configuration File #
#----------------------------------------------------------------------------------#
# Purpose: This configuration file enables you to tweak keyboard shortcuts, adjust #
# themes and colors, set the wallpaper, and more. #
# #
# License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International #
# #
# Pro-tip: While using Sway, you can trigger this configuration to be re-read by #
# pressing Super + Shift + C. #
#==================================================================================#
#========================#
# Appearance and Theming #
#========================#
# Declare Colors:
set $background #332b2b
set $color_urgent #fb4934
set $text_color #ffffff
set $title_bg_unfocused #666666
set $title_outline_active #0e844e
set $title_outline_unfocused #332b2b
# Set Colors: Border Background Text Indicator Child Border
client.background $background
client.focused $title_outline_active $background $text_color $title_outline_active $title_outline_active
client.focused_inactive $title_outline_unfocused $background $text_color $text_color $title_outline_unfocused
client.unfocused $title_outline_unfocused $title_bg_unfocused $text_color $title_outline_active
client.urgent $color_urgent $color_urgent $color_urgent $color_urgent $color_urgent
# Add gaps in between all application windows:
gaps inner 8
gaps outer 3
# Configure the default border:
default_border pixel 2
# Set the Wallpaper:
output * bg $HOME/.config/sway/wallpaper.jpg fill
#====================================#
# Activate the panel #
#====================================#
# Set the waybar command for the application launcher:
bar {
swaybar_command waybar
}
#====================================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Sway-specific) #
#====================================#
# Set the modifier key to super:
set $mod Mod4
# Set the ALT key to $alt (since Mod1 is harder to remember):
set $alt Mod1
# Set up a shortcut to reload this config file:
bindsym $mod+Shift+c reload
# Quit your current session and return to the log-in manager/tty:
bindsym $mod+Shift+e exec $HOME/.config/sway/exit.sh
# Screen locking (automatic, with a timeout)
set $lock swaylock -c 550000
exec swayidle -w \
timeout 600 $lock \
timeout 570 'swaymsg "output * dpms off"' \
resume 'swaymsg "output * dpms on"' \
before-sleep $lock
# Screen locking (manual)
set $lock_screen exec bash ~/.config/sway/lock_screen.sh
bindsym $mod+Escape exec $lock_screen
#========================================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Window Management) #
#========================================#
# Move focus to another window:
bindsym $mod+Left focus left
bindsym $mod+Down focus down
bindsym $mod+Up focus up
bindsym $mod+Right focus right
# Move focus to another window ("cult of vim" version):
bindsym $mod+j focus down
bindsym $mod+h focus left
bindsym $mod+l focus right
bindsym $mod+k focus up
# Move the window:
bindsym $mod+Shift+Left move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+Down move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+Up move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+Right move right
# Move the the window ("cult of vim" version):
bindsym $mod+Shift+h move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+j move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+k move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+l move right
# Hold the modifier key and hold the left/right mouse button
# to drag or resize a window respectively. This isn't exclusive
# to floating windows:
floating_modifier $mod normal
# Resizing containers:
mode "resize" {
# Resize windows with arrow keys:
bindsym Left resize shrink width 10px
bindsym Down resize grow height 10px
bindsym Up resize shrink height 10px
bindsym Right resize grow width 10px
# "cult of vim" version:
bindsym h resize shrink width 10px
bindsym j resize grow height 10px
bindsym k resize shrink height 10px
bindsym l resize grow width 10px
# Return to default mode
bindsym Return mode "default"
bindsym Escape mode "default"
}
bindsym $mod+r mode "resize"
#=================================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Workspaces) #
#=================================#
# Switch to workspace
set $ws1 "1 - Communication"
set $ws2 "2 - Browsing"
set $ws3 "3 - System Administration"
set $ws4 "4 - Learn Linux TV"
set $ws5 "5 - Media"
set $ws6 "6 - Writing"
set $ws7 "7 - Homelab"
set $ws8 "8 - Home Assistant"
set $ws9 "9 - Unwind"
# Move between workspaces
bindsym $mod+1 workspace $ws1
bindsym $mod+2 workspace $ws2
bindsym $mod+3 workspace $ws3
bindsym $mod+4 workspace $ws4
bindsym $mod+5 workspace $ws5
bindsym $mod+6 workspace $ws6
bindsym $mod+7 workspace $ws7
bindsym $mod+8 workspace $ws8
bindsym $mod+9 workspace $ws9
# Move focused container to workspace
bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace $ws1
bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace $ws2
bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace $ws3
bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace $ws4
bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace $ws5
bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace $ws6
bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace $ws7
bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace $ws8
bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace $ws9
#=============================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Layout) #
#=============================#
# You can "split" the current object of your focus with
# $mod+b or $mod+v, for horizontal and vertical splits
# respectively.
bindsym $mod+b splith
bindsym $mod+v splitv
# Switch the current container between different layout styles
bindsym $mod+s layout stacking
bindsym $mod+w layout tabbed
bindsym $mod+e layout toggle split
# Make the current focus fullscreen
bindsym $mod+f fullscreen
# Toggle the current focus between tiling and floating mode
bindsym $mod+Shift+f floating toggle
# Swap focus between the tiling area and the floating area
bindsym $mod+tab focus mode_toggle
# Move focus to the parent container
bindsym $mod+a focus parent
#=================================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Scratchpad) #
#=================================#
# Sway has a "scratchpad", which is a bag of holding for windows.
# You can send windows there and get them back later.
# Move the currently focused window to the scratchpad
bindsym $mod+Shift+minus move scratchpad
# Show the next scratchpad window or hide the focused scratchpad window.
# If there are multiple scratchpad windows, this command cycles through them.
bindsym $mod+minus scratchpad show
#===============================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (Hardware) #
#===============================#
# Audio
bindsym XF86AudioRaiseVolume exec "wpctl set-volume -l 1.5 @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 5%+; pkill -RTMIN+8 waybar"
bindsym XF86AudioLowerVolume exec "wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 5%-; pkill -RTMIN+8 waybar"
bindsym XF86AudioMute exec "wpctl set-mute @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ toggle; pkill -RTMIN+8 waybar"
# Brightness
bindsym XF86MonBrightnessDown exec light -U 10
bindsym XF86MonBrightnessUp exec light -A 10
#=============================================#
# Keyboard Shortcuts (launching applications) #
#=============================================#
# Set up wofi to replace dmenu as the launcher of choice:
set $menu wofi --show drun -i | xargs swaymsg exec --
# Launch your browser:
bindsym $mod+shift+b exec firefox
# Open a file manager:
bindsym ctrl+$mod+f exec pcmanfm
# Open a terminal emulator:
set $term alacritty
bindsym $mod+t exec $term
# Kill focused window:
bindsym $mod+Shift+q kill
# Open the application launcher:
bindsym $mod+space exec $menu
# Open the application launcher (alternate version):
bindsym $mod+d exec $menu
#======#
# Misc #
#======#
include /etc/sway/config-vars.d/*
include /etc/sway/config.d/*~/.config/sway/audio.sh
#!/bin/bash
current_volume=$(/usr/bin/wpctl get-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@)
volume="$(echo $current_volume | cut -f 2 -d " " | sed 's/\.//g')"
if [[ $current_volume == *"MUTED"* ]]; then
echo " ---"
fi
if [ "$volume" -lt "100" ]; then
volume="${volume:1}"
fi
if [ "$volume" -lt "10" ]; then
volume="${volume:1}"
fi
if [ "$volume" -gt "99" ]; then
echo " $volume%"
elif [ "$volume" -gt "65" ]; then
echo " $volume%"
elif [ "$volume" -gt "30" ]; then
echo " $volume%"
elif [ "$volume" -gt "10" ]; then
echo " $volume%"
elif [ "$volume" -gt "0" ]; then
echo " $volume%"
elif [ "$volume" -lt "1" ]; then
echo " ---"
fi~/.config/sway/exit.sh
#!/bin/bash
if [[ ! $(pgrep -x "swaynag") ]]; then
swaynag --background 333333 --border 333333 --border-bottom 333333 --button-background 1F1F1F \
--button-border-size 0 --button-padding 8 --text FFFFFF --button-text FFFFFF --edge bottom \
-t warning -m 'Do you really want to log out?' -B 'You heard me!' 'swaymsg exit'
fi~/.config/sway/lock_screen.sh
#!/bin/sh
# Credit to the following for comming up with this:
# https://code.krister.ee/lock-screen-in-sway/
# To Do: The fancier screen lock mentioned on that page might be cool to try.
# Times the screen off and puts it to background
swayidle \
timeout 10 'swaymsg "output * dpms off"' \
resume 'swaymsg "output * dpms on"' &
# Locks the screen immediately
swaylock -c 550000
# Kills last background task so idle timer doesn't keep running
kill %%~/.config/waybar/config
//====================================================================================================//
// Waybar Configuration File //
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------//
// Purpose: Creates a minimalistic (yet functional) waybar at //
// the top of the screen. //
// themes and colors, set the wallpaper, and more. //
// //
// License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International //
// //
// Credit: //
// Battery section adapted from: //
// https://github.com/Egosummiki/dotfiles/blob/master/waybar/config //
// //
// Pipewire audio adapted from: //
// https://www.reddit.com/r/swaywm/comments/sks343/pwvolume_pipewire_volume_control_and_waybar_module //
//====================================================================================================//
{
"layer": "top",
"position": "top",
"height": 36,
"spacing": 4,
"margin-top": 0,
"margin-bottom": 0,
// Choose the order of the modules
"modules-center": ["sway/workspaces", "tray"],
"modules-left": ["custom/hostname"],
"modules-right": [ "custom/audio","network","battery","clock"],
// Configuration for individual modules
"sway/workspaces": {
"disable-scroll": true,
"all-outputs": false,
"format": "{name}",
},
"tray": {
"icon-size": 18,
"spacing": 10,
},
"clock": {
"timezone": "America/Detroit",
"tooltip-format": "<big>{:%Y %B}</big>\n<tt><small>{calendar}</small></tt>",
"format-alt": "{:%Y-%m-%d}",
},
"battery": {
"states": {
// "good": 95,
"warning": 30,
"critical": 15,
},
"format": "{icon} {capacity}%",
"format-charging": "⚡{capacity}%",
"format-plugged": " {capacity}%",
"format-alt": "{time} {icon}",
// "format-good": "", // An empty format will hide the module
// "format-full": "",
"format-icons": ["", "", "", "", ""],
},
"network": {
// "interface": "wlp2*", // (Optional) To force the use of this interface
"format-wifi": " {signalStrength}%",
"format-ethernet": "Connected ",
"tooltip-format": "{ifname}: {gwaddr}",
"format-linked": "{ifname} (No IP)",
"format-disconnected": "Disconnected ⚠",
"format-alt": "{ifname}: {ipaddr}/{cidr}",
"on-click-right": "bash ~/.config/rofi/wifi_menu/rofi_wifi_menu",
},
"custom/audio": {
"format": "{}",
"signal": 8,
"interval": "once",
"exec": "/home/jay/.config/sway/audio.sh",
"on-click": "pavucontrol",
},
"custom/hostname": {
"format": "🖳 {}",
"exec": "/usr/bin/hostname -f",
"interval": "once",
"on-click": "/usr/bin/rxvt -e /usr/bin/htop",
},
}~/.config/waybar/style.css
* {
font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
font-size: 14px;
min-height: 0;
padding-bottom: 2px;
padding-top: 2px;
}
#battery {
background: transparent;
color: #ffffff;
opacity: 0.7;
padding: 2px 8px;
}
#battery.charging, #battery.plugged {
color: #ffffff;
padding: 2px 8px;
}
#battery.critical:not(.charging) {
animation-direction: alternate;
animation-duration: 0.5s;
animation-iteration-count: infinite;
animation-name: blink;
animation-timing-function: linear;
background-color: #f53c3c;
color: gray;
}
#clock {
background: #1f1f1f;
color: #ffffff;
margin-right: 4px;
padding: 2px 8px;
}
#network {
background: transparent;
color: #ffffff;
opacity: 0.7;
padding: 2px 8px;
}
#network.disconnected {
background: #1f1f1f;
color: red;
}
#tray {
background: #1f1f1f;
color: #ffffff;
margin-left: 18px;
}
#tray > .passive {
-gtk-icon-effect: dim;
background: #1f1f1f;
color: #ffffff;
}
#tray > .needs-attention {
-gtk-icon-effect: highlight;
background: #1f1f1f;
color: #ffffff;
}
window#waybar {
background: transparent;
border-bottom: 1px solid #332b2b;
transition-duration: .2s;
transition-property: background-color;
}
#workspaces button:hover {
/* https://github.com/Alexays/Waybar/wiki/FAQ#the-workspace-buttons-have-a-strange-hover-effect */
background: @background;
border-bottom: 1px solid #ffffff;
box-shadow: inherit;
color: #ffffff;
}
#workspaces button {
background: transparent;
color: #ffffff;
margin-left: 2px;
margin-right: 2px;
opacity: 0.7;
}
#workspaces button.focused {
background: #453e3d;
color: #ffffff;
opacity: 0.8;
}
#workspaces button.urgent {
background-color: #eb4d4b;
}
/* Custom Stuff */
#custom-audio {
background: transparent;
color: #ffffff;
opacity: 0.7;
padding: 2px 8px;
}
#custom-hostname {
background: transparent;
color: #ffffff;
padding: 2px 8px;
opacity: 0.7;
}~/.config/wofi/config
allow_images=true
image_size=64
width=600
height=200
insensitive=true
mode=drun,run
columns=1
padding:5
lines=6~/.config/wofi/style.css
/* Notes below regarding the purpose of each setting is true to the best of my knowledge. */
#input {
margin: 10px; /* how much padding there is around the input box */
border: none; /* border around the input box */
background-color: #453e3d; /* background color of the text input box itself */
color: #ffffff; /* text color as you type inside the input box */
}
#inner-box {
margin: 5px;
border: none; /* horizontal bar that appears above the search results */
background-color: #1f1f1f; /* background color behind the search results */
color: #ffffff; /* text color of each search result */
}
#outer-box {
margin: 5px; /* margin between the outer edges of the main window and its contents inside */
border: none /* border around all the internal window components */
background-color: #1f1f1f; /* background color of entire inner window */
}
#text {
margin: 5px;
border: none; /* border around each individual item within the search results */
background-color: trans; /* background behind each individual item within the search results */
color: ffffff;
}
/* Remove the search icon */
#input > image.left {
-gtk-icon-transform:scaleX(0);
}
#scroll {
margin: 5px;
border: 2px solid #1f1f1f;
background-color: #1f1f1f; /* background color behind the search slider */
}
window {
margin: 15px;
border: 3px solid green; /* border around the entire window */
background-color: #1f1f1f;
}Odds and Ends
Ensure the scripts are all executable:
chmod +x ~/.config/sway/*.shInstall the wallpaper file
Download the wallpaper I used here, and copy it to the appropriate directory:
cp wallpaper.jpg ~/.config/sway/wallpaper.jpgKeyboard Shortcuts
Although there’s more keyboard shortcuts in Sway than can be covered in an introductory video, but the following are the most common to be used. Note that some of these keyboard shortcuts were altered from Sway’s default configuration.
(Shift, Super) q: Quit active app
(Shift, Super) e: Exit sway itself
(Super) t: Open a terminal
(Super) space: Application launcher
(Super) escape: Lock the screen
(Super) any arrow key: Move focus to another app/quadrant
(Shift, Super) any arrow key: Move the active window in the direction of the arrow you pressed
(Super) r: Resize the active window
(Super) any number: Switch to that numbered workspace
(Shift, Super) f: Toggle floating mode
(Super) s: Create a stack
