FVWM3 Configuration

Lightweight X11 window manager setup for Arch Linux

Overview

This FVWM setup is built around a lightweight X11 stack, enhanced with screenshot tools (maim, xclip), clipboard support, game launcher integrations (Lutris, Steam), and custom scripts.

Full configuration available on GitHub.

Build FVWM3 from Source

Install Build Dependencies

sudo pacman -S --needed git cmake gcc make ninja meson pkgconf libevent libx11 \
    libxft libxinerama libxrandr libxrender libsm libpng librsvg xcb-util-wm \
    xcb-util-cursor gettext libxt xtrans libxkbcommon go libxcursor libxpm

Clone and Build

git clone https://github.com/fvwmorg/fvwm3.git
cd fvwm3/
mkdir build && cd build/
meson setup --reconfigure --prefix=/usr --buildtype=release ..
ninja
sudo ninja install

Additional Software

Pacman Packages

sudo pacman -S \
    xorg-xinit xorg-server xsetroot arandr feh xload xclock \
    xfce4-terminal pcmanfm leafpad geany pavucontrol \
    maim xclip vlc obs-studio steam lutris goverlay mangohud \
    xprop xinput bash xsel xrdb ttf-dejavu ttf-liberation

AUR Packages

yay -S brave-bin discord

Keyboard Shortcuts

Desktop Navigation

Shortcut	Action
`Win + Left`	Switch to desktop left
`Win + Right`	Switch to desktop right
`Win + Up`	Switch to desktop above
`Win + Down`	Switch to desktop below

Window Movement

Shortcut	Action
`Win + Alt + Left`	Move window left
`Win + Alt + Right`	Move window right
`Win + Alt + Up`	Move window up
`Win + Alt + Down`	Move window down

Application Shortcuts

Shortcut	Action
`Win + F1`	Open terminal (xfce4-terminal)
`Win + F2`	Run memory cleanup script
`Win + F3`	Run Soundcore Bluetooth script
`Win + E`	Open file manager (pcmanfm)
`Win + Escape`	Open Root Menu
`Print Screen`	Screenshot with selection (maim -s)

Mouse Shortcuts

Action	Result
Left-click titlebar	Window menu
Middle-click titlebar	Maximize height
Right-click titlebar	Iconify window
Double-click titlebar	Maximize window
Drag titlebar	Move window
Right-click desktop	Window-Ops menu
Middle-click desktop	Window list
Left-click desktop	Root menu