The default modifier key (Mod) is typically Alt (Mod1) or the Windows Key (Mod4). Check your i3 configuration file (usually ~/.config/i3/config) to confirm your setup.
Launching & Killing Applications
- Mod + Enter: Open a new terminal.
- Mod + d: Launch application (uses dmenu or a similar launcher by default).
- Mod + Shift + q: Kill (close) the focused window.
Changing Focus
- Mod + j: Focus window logically "left" or "down".
- Mod + k: Focus window logically "down" or "up".
- Mod + l: Focus window logically "up" or "right".
- Mod + ;: Focus window logically "right" or "left".
- (Alternatively, Mod + Arrow Keys often work for directional focus.)
Moving Windows
- Mod + Shift + j: Move focused window logically "left" or "down".
- Mod + Shift + k: Move focused window logically "down" or "up".
- Mod + Shift + l: Move focused window logically "up" or "right".
- Mod + Shift + ;: Move focused window logically "right" or "left".
- (Alternatively, Mod + Shift + Arrow Keys often work for moving windows directionally.)
Layout Management
- Mod + h: Split container horizontally (new window will open to the left of focused).
- Mod + v: Split container vertically (new window will open below focused).
- Mod + e: Toggle layout for parent container (cycles through splith/splitv, default).
- Mod + s: Set parent container to stacking layout.
- Mod + w: Set parent container to tabbed layout.
- Mod + f: Toggle fullscreen for the focused window.
- Mod + Shift + Space: Toggle floating mode for the focused window. Move floating windows with Mod + Left Mouse Button Drag.
- Mod + Space: Toggle focus between tiling and floating windows.
Resizing Windows
Enter resize mode, then use Vim-style keys or arrow keys. Press Enter, Escape, or Mod + r again to exit resize mode.
- Mod + r: Enter resize mode.
- j or Left Arrow: Shrink width towards left / Decrease height towards top.
- k or Down Arrow: Increase height downwards / Shrink height towards bottom.
- l or Up Arrow: Decrease height upwards / Increase height towards top.
- or Right Arrow: Increase width towards right / Shrink width towards left.
- (Resize amount can be adjusted, typically by 10 pixels per step).
Workspaces
- Mod + [0-9]: Switch to workspace [0-9].
- Mod + Shift + [0-9]: Move focused window to workspace [0-9].
- Mod + Tab: Switch to the previously focused workspace.
Scratchpad
A special workspace to hide/show windows quickly.
- Mod + Shift + Minus (-): Move focused window to scratchpad.
- Mod + Minus (-): Show/hide the first (or most recent) scratchpad window.
i3 Specific Commands
- Mod + Shift + c: Reload i3 configuration file.
- Mod + Shift + r: Restart i3 in place (useful after config changes or updates).
- Mod + Shift + e: Exit i3 (usually shows a confirmation dialog).
