# exwm-arch

Arch Linux + [EXWM](https://github.com/ch11ng/exwm) install script. Using [daviwil's emacs-from-scratch](https://github.com/daviwil/emacs-from-scratch/).

## Arch install (manual, pre-script)

Boot `archlinux-2026.03.01-x86_64.iso` (or current), update archinstall, then run it:

```bash
sudo pacman -Sy archinstall
archinstall
```

archinstall settings:

- **mirror:** united states
- **disk:** ext4
- **bootloader:** grub
- **user:** create with sudo
- **profile:** minimal
- **network:** networkmanager
- **audio:** pipewire

Reboot when done, then log in as your sudo user.

## Usage

```bash
sudo pacman -Syu
sudo pacman -Sy git
git clone https://gitea.fortis-scientia.com/phantomoffrags/exwm-arch-install
cd exwm-arch-install
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh
```

When it finishes:

```bash
startx
```

> **dbus note:** if apps like Firefox complain about dbus, try `dbus-run-session startx` instead.


---

## What the script does

| step | action |
|------|--------|
| 1 | installs xorg, emacs, dmenu, zsh, urxvt, tmux, git, nano |
| 2 | clones daviwil emacs-from-scratch to `~/.emacs.d` |
| 3 | writes `~/.xinitrc` |
| 4 | installs pipewire + wireplumber, enables user services |
| 5 | installs firefox, fonts, xclip, scrot, xf86-video-qxl |
| 6 | writes `~/.emacs` with EXWM config + doom-moonlight theme |
| 7 | installs exwm + doom-themes packages via `emacs --batch` |

---

## Key bindings

### navigation

| key | action |
|-----|--------|
| `s-0` – `s-9` | switch / create workspace |
| `s-w` | interactive workspace switcher |
| `s-r` | reset / refresh window (unstick a window) |
| `s-arrows` | move between emacs splits |
| `C-x o` | cycle between emacs buffers/windows |
| `C-x b` | switch buffer by name |
| `C-x k` | kill (close) current buffer |

### launching things

| key | action |
|-----|--------|
| `s-Return` | open urxvt terminal |
| `s-&` | launch app by shell command prompt |
| `M-x` | run any emacs command by name |

### files

| key | action |
|-----|--------|
| `C-x C-f` | open / find file |
| `C-x C-s` | save file |
| `C-x C-w` | save file as |
| `C-x C-c` | quit emacs (closes everything) |

### window splits

| key | action |
|-----|--------|
| `C-x 2` | split horizontally |
| `C-x 3` | split vertically |
| `C-x 1` | close all splits, keep current |
| `C-x 0` | close current split |

### EXWM window modes

EXWM windows have two modes:

- **line mode** (default) — emacs keybinds work; good for reading
- **char mode** — all input goes to the X app (e.g. typing in a browser). Press `i` to enter char mode, `s-r` to exit back to line mode.

### moving windows between workspaces

```
M-x exwm-workspace-move-window
```

### copy/paste using CUA mode

```
C-space  mark/select
C-x C-c  copy
C-v      paste
```

---

## Launching apps

From a urxvt terminal (`s-Return`):

```bash
firefox &
```

The `&` sends it to the background so the terminal returns immediately. Close with `Ctrl+q` (Firefox) or `C-x k` (emacs buffer).