Arch Linux + bspwm Configuration

This repository contains my custom configuration files for a minimal and efficient Arch Linux setup using bspwm as the window manager.

Installation

Fresh Arch Linux Installation

If you're installing Arch Linux from scratch, follow the complete installation guide in arch-install.md. It covers:

• Network setup (Wi-Fi/Ethernet)
• Running archinstall
• Post-installation setup (Git, Yay, Chrome, VS Code, and all required packages)
• Configuration file deployment
• System setup

Adding to Existing Arch System

If you already have Arch Linux installed:

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/mahdibm-dev/arch-bspwm.git

2. Install required packages:

   sudo pacman -S polybar alacritty thunar flameshot dunst \
                  network-manager-applet feh i3lock pulseaudio dmenu rofi

3. Copy configuration files:

   mkdir -p ~/.config
   cp -r arch-bspwm/.config/* ~/.config/

4. Make scripts executable:

   chmod +x ~/.config/bspwm/bspwmrc
   chmod +x ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh
   chmod +x ~/.config/feh/fehbg

5. Place a wallpaper in ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/

6. Restart bspwm or log out and log back in

Programs and Utilities

Window Manager & Core

bspwm

• Purpose: Tiling window manager
• Description: A lightweight, minimal window manager that arranges windows in a binary tree structure
• Config Location: .config/bspwm/bspwmrc
• Features:
  • 10 workspaces (B, V, W, 4-10)
  • Auto-launches: sxhkd, polybar, dunst, flameshot, nm-applet, feh
  • Window rules for Chrome (workspace B) and VS Code (workspace V)

sxhkd

• Purpose: Hotkey daemon
• Description: Simple X hotkey daemon that manages all keyboard shortcuts
• Config Location: .config/sxhkd/sxhkdrc
• Key Bindings:
  • Super + b - Launch Chrome
  • Super + v - Launch VS Code
  • Super + Shift + f - Launch Thunar file manager
  • Super + Return - Launch Alacritty terminal
  • Super + x - Lock screen (i3lock)
  • Super + Space - Application launcher (dmenu)
  • Print - Full screen screenshot
  • Super + Print - Interactive screenshot
  • Super + =/- - Volume control
  • Super + e - Toggle mute
  • Super + Alt + q/r - Quit/restart bspwm

Display & Visual

Polybar

• Purpose: Status bar
• Description: Highly customizable status bar for displaying system information
• Config Location: .config/polybar/config.ini
• Modules:
  • Workspaces (xworkspaces)
  • Window title
  • Battery status
  • Volume (PulseAudio)
  • RAM usage
  • CPU usage
  • Date & time (with day name)
  • System tray (for nm-applet, etc.)
• Launch Script: .config/polybar/launch.sh

feh

• Purpose: Wallpaper setter
• Description: Lightweight image viewer used for setting desktop wallpapers
• Config Location: .config/feh/fehbg
• Features:
  • Automatically loads first image from ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/
  • Restores wallpaper on startup

Applications

Alacritty

• Purpose: Terminal emulator
• Description: GPU-accelerated terminal emulator written in Rust
• Installation: pacman -S alacritty

Google Chrome

• Purpose: Web browser
• Package: google-chrome-stable
• Auto-opens: Workspace B

Thunar

• Purpose: File manager
• Description: Fast and lightweight file manager for XFCE
• Installation: pacman -S thunar gvfs
• Features: Trash support, file properties, external device management

Utilities

Flameshot

• Purpose: Screenshot tool
• Description: Powerful and user-friendly screenshot software
• Config Location: .config/flameshot/
• Features:
  • Full screen capture
  • Interactive area selection
  • Built-in annotation tools
  • Auto-saves to ~/Pictures/Screenshots/

dunst

• Purpose: Notification daemon
• Description: Lightweight notification system
• Installation: pacman -S dunst
• Features: Displays system and application notifications

nm-applet

• Purpose: Network management
• Description: NetworkManager system tray applet
• Installation: pacman -S network-manager-applet
• Features:
  • WiFi network management
  • Connection status display
  • VPN support
  • Appears in Polybar system tray

i3lock

• Purpose: Screen locker
• Description: Simple screen locker for X
• Installation: pacman -S i3lock
• Usage: Super + x to lock screen
• Features: Unlimited password retry attempts

Audio

PulseAudio

• Purpose: Sound system
• Description: Network-capable sound server
• Control: pactl commands via sxhkd hotkeys
• Features:
  • Volume control (5% increments)
  • Mute toggle
  • Integrated with Polybar

Development

VS Code

• Purpose: Code editor
• Package: code
• Auto-opens: Workspace V

Workspace Layout

• B - Browser (Chrome)
• V - VS Code
• W - WhatsApp (reserved)
• 4-10 - General purpose workspaces

Directory Structure

.config/
├── bspwm/         # Window manager configuration
├── sxhkd/         # Keyboard shortcuts
├── polybar/       # Status bar configuration
├── feh/           # Wallpaper settings
└── flameshot/     # Screenshot tool configuration

Notes

• Screenshots are automatically saved to ~/Pictures/Screenshots/
• Wallpapers should be placed in ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/
• The setup uses X11 (not Wayland)
• Font size in Polybar: 8pt
• Default terminal: Alacritty
• Application launcher: dmenu

Customization

Change Wallpaper

Place any image (jpg/png) in ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/ and it will be automatically applied on next login.

Modify Hotkeys

Edit ~/.config/sxhkd/sxhkdrc and reload with Super + Escape

Adjust Polybar

Edit ~/.config/polybar/config.ini and run ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh to reload

Add Workspaces

Edit the line bspc monitor -d B V W 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 in ~/.config/bspwm/bspwmrc

License

Personal configuration files - feel free to use and modify.