i3 FAQ - Individual question feed

i3 FAQ - Individual question feedhttps://faq.i3wm.org/questions/Frequently asked questions and answers about the i3 window managerenCopyright i3, 2012Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:29:52 +0000Add friendly name to workspace, but keep numbers for shortcutshttps://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/Hi, I'm new (from today :) to i3, and so far I love it! Now I'm starting some applications on logon like this: exec i3-msg workspace 1 ; i3-msg exec firefox ; Works fine. Now what I would like to have would be something like this: exec i3-msg workspace 1:Firefox ; i3-msg exec firefox ; So my workspace would have a friendly name, the problem is that when I do this the shortcut to access the workspace 1 (logically) opens a new workspace. So my question is: is it possible to give a friendly name to a workspace while keeping its shortcut/number reference...? **== Edit after first answer ==** Ok, from the first answer and some more testing, I got even more lost... sorry for my noobyness. Basically, what I want to achieve on login is: - Create a workspace called "1: Firefox" and start firefox within - Create a workspace called "2: VIM" and start vim within - etc And then being able with $mod+1 to go to workspace "1: Firefox", $mod+2 go to workspace "2: VIM", etc Could you post the config syntax to: - Create the workspaces and launch the application within - Create the workspace shortcuts in order to be able to reach them Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:53:16 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/Answer by Ultrabug for Hi, I'm new (from today :) to i3, and so far I love it! Now I'm starting some applications on logon like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1 ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> Works fine. Now what I would like to have would be something like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1:Firefox ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> So my workspace would have a friendly name, the problem is that when I do this the shortcut to access the workspace 1 (logically) opens a new workspace. So my question is: is it possible to give a friendly name to a workspace while keeping its shortcut/number reference...? == Edit after first answer == Ok, from the first answer and some more testing, I got even more lost... sorry for my noobyness. Basically, what I want to achieve on login is: <ul> <li>Create a workspace called "1: Firefox" and start firefox within</li> <li>Create a workspace called "2: VIM" and start vim within</li> <li>etc</li> </ul> And then being able with $mod+1 to go to workspace "1: Firefox", $mod+2 go to workspace "2: VIM", etc Could you post the config syntax to: <ul> <li>Create the workspaces and launch the application within</li> <li>Create the workspace shortcuts in order to be able to reach them</li> </ul> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1663#post-id-1663This a sample config to solve your problem (with my names, just adapt to yours): # switch to workspace bindsym $mod+ampersand workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+eacute workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+quotedbl workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+apostrophe workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+parenleft workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+minus workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+egrave workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+underscore workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+ccedilla workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+agrave workspace number 10 mon # move focused container to workspace bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace number 10 mon # force a window on a named workspace assign [class="Opera"] 2 www assign [class="Firefox"] 10 mon Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:43:29 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1663#post-id-1663Comment by eddie-dunn for This a sample config to solve your problem (with my names, just adapt to yours): <pre><code># switch to workspace bindsym $mod+ampersand workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+eacute workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+quotedbl workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+apostrophe workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+parenleft workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+minus workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+egrave workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+underscore workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+ccedilla workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+agrave workspace number 10 mon # move focused container to workspace bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace number 10 mon # force a window on a named workspace assign [class="Opera"] 2 www assign [class="Firefox"] 10 mon </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5324#comment-5324This works, however, the commands for moving focused containers to a workspace should be of the format `bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5 code`. Otherwise, if a workspace is created by moving a container to it, it won't have its proper nickname.Mon, 12 Jan 2015 11:22:17 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5324#comment-5324Comment by airblader for This a sample config to solve your problem (with my names, just adapt to yours): <pre><code># switch to workspace bindsym $mod+ampersand workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+eacute workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+quotedbl workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+apostrophe workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+parenleft workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+minus workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+egrave workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+underscore workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+ccedilla workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+agrave workspace number 10 mon # move focused container to workspace bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace number 10 mon # force a window on a named workspace assign [class="Opera"] 2 www assign [class="Firefox"] 10 mon </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5719#comment-5719A generally good idea is to put workspace names into variables because it will make changing the name of a workspace in your config much easier.Wed, 01 Apr 2015 20:29:52 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5719#comment-5719Comment by Ultrabug for This a sample config to solve your problem (with my names, just adapt to yours): <pre><code># switch to workspace bindsym $mod+ampersand workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+eacute workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+quotedbl workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+apostrophe workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+parenleft workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+minus workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+egrave workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+underscore workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+ccedilla workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+agrave workspace number 10 mon # move focused container to workspace bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace number 1 irc bindsym $mod+Shift+2 move container to workspace number 2 www bindsym $mod+Shift+3 move container to workspace number 3 code bindsym $mod+Shift+4 move container to workspace number 4 code bindsym $mod+Shift+5 move container to workspace number 5 code bindsym $mod+Shift+6 move container to workspace number 6 code bindsym $mod+Shift+7 move container to workspace number 7 code bindsym $mod+Shift+8 move container to workspace number 8 code bindsym $mod+Shift+9 move container to workspace number 9 mail bindsym $mod+Shift+0 move container to workspace number 10 mon # force a window on a named workspace assign [class="Opera"] 2 www assign [class="Firefox"] 10 mon </code></pre> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5592#comment-5592Thx @eddie-dunn you're right, I've updated the answer.Tue, 10 Mar 2015 08:38:29 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=5592#comment-5592Answer by Tucos for Hi, I'm new (from today :) to i3, and so far I love it! Now I'm starting some applications on logon like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1 ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> Works fine. Now what I would like to have would be something like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1:Firefox ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> So my workspace would have a friendly name, the problem is that when I do this the shortcut to access the workspace 1 (logically) opens a new workspace. So my question is: is it possible to give a friendly name to a workspace while keeping its shortcut/number reference...? == Edit after first answer == Ok, from the first answer and some more testing, I got even more lost... sorry for my noobyness. Basically, what I want to achieve on login is: <ul> <li>Create a workspace called "1: Firefox" and start firefox within</li> <li>Create a workspace called "2: VIM" and start vim within</li> <li>etc</li> </ul> And then being able with $mod+1 to go to workspace "1: Firefox", $mod+2 go to workspace "2: VIM", etc Could you post the config syntax to: <ul> <li>Create the workspaces and launch the application within</li> <li>Create the workspace shortcuts in order to be able to reach them</li> </ul> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1658#post-id-1658This is what the `workspace number` command is for. Prefixing the workspace with a number means that number can be used to reference to the named workspace. As per the [userguide](http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_changing_named_workspaces_moving_to_workspaces), given a workspace called '1: Firefox', `workspace number 1` will take you to '1: Firefox' (so the bindsym would become `bindsym $mod+1 workspace number 1`. As for starting an app on a given workspace once, see the last paragraph [here](http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_automatically_putting_clients_on_specific_workspaces). If the app does not support startup-notification (GTK does, so i think you should be fine as far as firefox and gvim go), things get much nastier and you'll need hacky scripts. I personally just assign firefox to a fixed workspace.Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:06:01 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1658#post-id-1658Comment by Hibou57 for This is what the <code>workspace number</code> command is for. Prefixing the workspace with a number means that number can be used to reference to the named workspace. As per the <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_changing_named_workspaces_moving_to_workspaces">userguide</a>, given a workspace called '1: Firefox', <code>workspace number 1</code> will take you to '1: Firefox' (so the bindsym would become <code>bindsym $mod+1 workspace number 1</code>. As for starting an app on a given workspace once, see the last paragraph <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_automatically_putting_clients_on_specific_workspaces">here</a>. If the app does not support startup-notification (GTK does, so i think you should be fine as far as firefox and gvim go), things get much nastier and you'll need hacky scripts. I personally just assign firefox to a fixed workspace. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=4135#comment-4135Why is the default configuration using `workspace N` instead of `workspace number N`, which looks (at least to me) a better candidate for a default? This better match intuitive expectation. If one have a workspace named “1:foo”, pressing `$mod+1` he/she probably expect to go to workspace “1:foo”.Sat, 05 Jul 2014 08:51:18 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=4135#comment-4135Comment by ierpe for This is what the <code>workspace number</code> command is for. Prefixing the workspace with a number means that number can be used to reference to the named workspace. As per the <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_changing_named_workspaces_moving_to_workspaces">userguide</a>, given a workspace called '1: Firefox', <code>workspace number 1</code> will take you to '1: Firefox' (so the bindsym would become <code>bindsym $mod+1 workspace number 1</code>. As for starting an app on a given workspace once, see the last paragraph <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_automatically_putting_clients_on_specific_workspaces">here</a>. If the app does not support startup-notification (GTK does, so i think you should be fine as far as firefox and gvim go), things get much nastier and you'll need hacky scripts. I personally just assign firefox to a fixed workspace. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=1660#comment-1660Hey sorry I tried different things but I still could not get it to work :( I edited my questionFri, 19 Apr 2013 12:30:52 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=1660#comment-1660Comment by Tucos for This is what the <code>workspace number</code> command is for. Prefixing the workspace with a number means that number can be used to reference to the named workspace. As per the <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_changing_named_workspaces_moving_to_workspaces">userguide</a>, given a workspace called '1: Firefox', <code>workspace number 1</code> will take you to '1: Firefox' (so the bindsym would become <code>bindsym $mod+1 workspace number 1</code>. As for starting an app on a given workspace once, see the last paragraph <a href="http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_automatically_putting_clients_on_specific_workspaces">here</a>. If the app does not support startup-notification (GTK does, so i think you should be fine as far as firefox and gvim go), things get much nastier and you'll need hacky scripts. I personally just assign firefox to a fixed workspace. https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=1662#comment-1662And I've updated the answer.Fri, 19 Apr 2013 12:40:55 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?comment=1662#comment-1662Answer by teto for Hi, I'm new (from today :) to i3, and so far I love it! Now I'm starting some applications on logon like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1 ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> Works fine. Now what I would like to have would be something like this: <pre><code>exec i3-msg workspace 1:Firefox ; i3-msg exec firefox ; </code></pre> So my workspace would have a friendly name, the problem is that when I do this the shortcut to access the workspace 1 (logically) opens a new workspace. So my question is: is it possible to give a friendly name to a workspace while keeping its shortcut/number reference...? == Edit after first answer == Ok, from the first answer and some more testing, I got even more lost... sorry for my noobyness. Basically, what I want to achieve on login is: <ul> <li>Create a workspace called "1: Firefox" and start firefox within</li> <li>Create a workspace called "2: VIM" and start vim within</li> <li>etc</li> </ul> And then being able with $mod+1 to go to workspace "1: Firefox", $mod+2 go to workspace "2: VIM", etc Could you post the config syntax to: <ul> <li>Create the workspaces and launch the application within</li> <li>Create the workspace shortcuts in order to be able to reach them</li> </ul> https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1674#post-id-1674I do something similar with scratchpad so this should be a near working example (i3 4.5.1). set $w1 1 main urxvtc -name vim -e vim # unsure about the syntax, I use "move scratchpad" here for_window [instance="vim"] move to workspace $w1 bindsym $mod+ampersand workspace $w1 bindsym $mod+Shift+1 move container to workspace $w1Sun, 21 Apr 2013 11:26:51 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/1657/add-friendly-name-to-workspace-but-keep-numbers-for-shortcuts/?answer=1674#post-id-1674