i3 FAQ - Individual question feed

How do I change the default orientation?

Sun, 18 Aug 2013 21:05:36 +0000

Hey, I'd like to change the default orientation such that new windows (or whatever they're called) split the screen horizontally -- one on top, one at the bottom. How do I do that? I've tried adding default_orientation horizontal to ~/.i3/config, but it doesn't seem to change anything. I'm using Debian 7.1 (maybe something's awry with file permissions? I'll try chmod +x).

Answer by badboy_ for
Hey,

I'd like to change the default orientation such that new windows (or whatever they're called) split the screen horizontally -- one on top, one at the bottom. How do I do that? I've tried adding

default_orientation horizontal

to ~/.i3/config, but it doesn't seem to change anything. I'm using Debian 7.1 (maybe something's awry with file permissions? I'll try chmod +x).

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 09:58:59 +0000

Did you try `default_orientation vertical` ? I'll cite the [userguide](http://i3wm.org/docs/userguide.html#_orientation_for_new_workspaces) > New workspaces get a reasonable default orientation: Wide-screen monitors (anything > wider than high) get horizontal orientation, rotated monitors (anything higher than wide) > get vertical orientation. > With the default_orientation configuration directive, you can override that behaviour.

Comment by cee for
Did you try `default_orientation vertical` ?

I'll cite the userguide

New workspaces get a reasonable default orientation: Wide-screen monitors (anything wider than high) get horizontal orientation, rotated monitors (anything higher than wide) get vertical orientation. With the default_orientation configuration directive, you can override that behaviour.

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 11:35:34 +0000

Yes, that's probably it. @Anonymous: Did you recognize, that splitting horizontally means the containers are next to each other on the same horizontally line?

Answer by cee for
Hey,

I'd like to change the default orientation such that new windows (or whatever they're called) split the screen horizontally -- one on top, one at the bottom. How do I do that? I've tried adding

default_orientation horizontal

to ~/.i3/config, but it doesn't seem to change anything. I'm using Debian 7.1 (maybe something's awry with file permissions? I'll try chmod +x).

Mon, 19 Aug 2013 07:37:36 +0000

Try this
exec i3-msg split v
It seems to work for me.