i3 alternative. Features and Characteristics of i3 Window Manager

i3 is a tiling window manager designed for Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and BSD. It is known for its lightweight nature and minimalistic approach to window management. i3 follows the philosophy of tiling, where windows are automatically arranged in a non-overlapping tile layout, maximizing the use of screen space.

Here are some key features and characteristics of i3:

• Tiling Window Management: i3 employs a tiling window management approach, meaning windows are automatically arranged side by side without overlapping. This allows for efficient multitasking and eliminates the need for manual window resizing and positioning.
• Keyboard-Centric Workflow: i3 emphasizes keyboard-based navigation and control. Most actions, such as opening applications, switching between windows, and moving them across workspaces, are performed through customizable keyboard shortcuts. This promotes a fast and efficient workflow for power users.
• Customizable Configuration: i3’s configuration file allows users to extensively customize their window manager. Users can define keybindings, specify default layouts, and configure various aspects of i3’s behavior to suit their preferences and workflow.
• Workspaces and Tabbed Containers: i3 organizes windows into workspaces, allowing users to group related applications together. Each workspace can contain multiple windows, which can be further organized using tabbed containers. This helps keep the desktop clutter-free and enhances productivity.
• Dynamic Window Management: i3 supports dynamic window management, allowing users to add, remove, and rearrange windows on the fly without disrupting the overall layout. This flexibility enables a seamless workflow as windows can be easily adjusted to accommodate changing requirements.
• Extensibility: i3 can be extended using various plugins and external tools to enhance its functionality. Users can integrate it with other utilities to add features like status bars, notification systems, and more.

i3 prioritizes keyboard-based navigation and control, which means it has a minimal graphical user interface (GUI). Users who prefer visually-oriented interfaces with extensive graphical settings and customization options may find i3’s interface lacking.

While i3 provides extensive customization through its configuration file, configuring and fine-tuning the window manager can be complex for users without prior experience in editing configuration files or programming. It requires understanding the syntax and options specific to i3, which may pose a challenge for less technical users.

If you face the same problem, if you find it too complicated to configure and use i3, take a look at SMBAct - an application with a user-friendly interface and tiling window manager functionality. Moreover, SMBAct is not only a window manager but also a window switcher, it is cross-platform and available also in macOS and Windows. SMBAct is constantly improving and new features are being implemented, trying to make it as user-friendly as possible.

Here you can find detailed information about SMBAct