Need Help Setting Up i3 on Fedora

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1

Hi,

I’m switching from Windows to Fedora and would like to set up my working environment using a window manager. I installed Hyprland following this tutorial. However, some features are missing in Hyprland that don’t suit my workflow—such as window minimize functionality and control buttons.

I tried installing i3 using this guide (both methods), but when I run the i3 command in a Plasma session, I get the following error:

ERROR: Another window manager is already running (WM_Sn is owned)

When I log into the i3 session directly, I only see my wallpaper—no terminal or other applications open by default.

My window manager is wayland .

My .config/i3/config is trhe following:

# Basic i3 config for KDE integration
# Plasma compatibility improvements
# Plasma compatibility improvements
for_window [window_role="pop-up"] floating enable
for_window [window_role="task_dialog"] floating enable
for_window [title="Desktop — Plasma"] kill, floating enable, border none
for_window [title="Arbeitsfläche — Plasma"] kill, floating enable, border none
for_window [class="yakuake"] floating enable
for_window [class="systemsettings"] floating enable
for_window [class="plasmashell"] floating enable
for_window [class="Plasma"] floating enable, border none
for_window [title="plasma-desktop"] floating enable, border none
for_window [title="win7"] floating enable, border none
for_window [class="krunner"] floating enable, border none
for_window [class="Kmix"] floating enable, border none
for_window [class="Klipper"] floating enable, border none
for_window [class="Plasmoidviewer"] floating enable, border none
for_window [class="plasmashell" window_type="notification"] border none, move position 70 ppt 81 ppt
no_focus [class="plasmashell" window_type="notification"]

# Font for window titles
font pango:DejaVu Sans Mono 10

# Use Super key as mod key
set $mod Mod4

# Start a terminal
bindsym $mod+Return exec konsole

# Kill focused window
bindsym $mod+Shift+q kill

# Start dmenu (a program launcher)
bindsym $mod+d exec --no-startup-id dmenu_run

# Change focus
bindsym $mod+j focus left
bindsym $mod+k focus down
bindsym $mod+l focus up
bindsym $mod+semicolon focus right

# Alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Left focus left
bindsym $mod+Down focus down
bindsym $mod+Up focus up
bindsym $mod+Right focus right

# Move focused window
bindsym $mod+Shift+j move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+k move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+l move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+semicolon move right

# Alternatively, you can use the cursor keys:
bindsym $mod+Shift+Left move left
bindsym $mod+Shift+Down move down
bindsym $mod+Shift+Up move up
bindsym $mod+Shift+Right move right

# Switch back to KWin if needed
bindsym $mod+Shift+e exec "i3-nagbar -t warning -m 'Back to KDE?' -B 'Yes' 'kwin_x11 --replace &'"

# Restart i3 inplace
bindsym $mod+Shift+r restart

Could someone please help me figure this out?

Thank you!

2

Then I guess you need sway. I3 was just for x11 right.

That is the Idea, you have to configure your selves shortcuts as you like to open the apps with.

As written in the Arch article i3 config should work 100% with sway.

3

Thank you, I will look into how to customize i3 then. When I try Sway, I get a black screen, and when I enter the session, if I try Sway in a Plasma session, I get the following:

$ sway                  
00:00:00.315 [wlr] [EGL] command: eglQueryDevicesEXT, error: EGL_BAD_ALLOC (0x3003), message: "EGL_BAD_ALLOC error: In eglQueryDevicesEXT: Failed to allocate device list.
"
00:00:00.315 [wlr] [EGL] command: eglQueryDevicesEXT, error: EGL_BAD_ALLOC (0x3003), message: "EGL_BAD_ALLOC error: In eglQueryDevicesEXT: Failed to allocate device list.
"
2025-03-22 19:38:01 - [main.c:278] Could not find config for output WL-1 ((null))
^C%                                                                                                                    sam. 22 mars - 19:38  ~ 
$ sway --unsupported-gpu
00:00:00.326 [wlr] [EGL] command: eglQueryDevicesEXT, error: EGL_BAD_ALLOC (0x3003), message: "EGL_BAD_ALLOC error: In eglQueryDevicesEXT: Failed to allocate device list.
"
00:00:00.327 [wlr] [EGL] command: eglQueryDevicesEXT, error: EGL_BAD_ALLOC (0x3003), message: "EGL_BAD_ALLOC error: In eglQueryDevicesEXT: Failed to allocate device list.
5

You will need to read the manual to get the commands

Once you get used to it it is great.

I am on Sway, I use ‘mod + D’ then type in the app name then ‘Enter’ to open an app. Type ‘mod + Enter’ to get to a terminal.

Windows Managers do not usually have these functions. There are other ways to achieve the same effects. If you want a classic desktop, you could go for one of the many ‘Desktop Environments’ offered by Fedora.

You will need to start Sway from your console with the command ‘sway’ or from you graphical login manager.

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