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{{Style|Various issues, see [[Help:Style]]}}
{{Related articles start}}
Fluxbox is a [[window manager]] for [[X11]]. It is based on the (now abandoned) Blackbox 0.61.1 code, but with significant enhancements and continued development. Fluxbox is very light on resources and fast, yet provides interesting window management tools such as tabbing and grouping. Its configuration files are easy to understand and edit with hundreds of Fluxbox "styles" to make your desktop look great. Arch Linux with Fluxbox can turn an old Pentium 800 box with just 256MB of RAM into a very usable computer.
{{Related|Window manager}}
{{Related articles end}}
Fluxbox is a [[window manager]] for [[X11]]. It is based on the (now abandoned) Blackbox 0.61.1 code, but with significant enhancements and continued development. Fluxbox provides a number of window management features such as tabbing and grouping and has hundreds of styles (themes) available. All Fluxbox configuration is stored in plaintext files; however, some settings are exposed graphically in the configuration menu.


== Installation ==
== Installation ==
Line 20: Line 13:
[[Install]] the {{Pkg|fluxbox}} package.
[[Install]] the {{Pkg|fluxbox}} package.


== Starting Fluxbox ==
== Starting ==


'''Graphical login'''
Run {{ic|startfluxbox}} with [[xinit]].


Just choose the ''fluxbox'' option from the session menu of your favourite [[display manager]].
== Configuration ==


'''Manually'''
System-wide Fluxbox configuration files are in {{ic|/usr/share/fluxbox}} while user configuration files are in {{ic|~/.fluxbox}}:


Edit {{ic|~/.xinitrc}} and add the following line:
* ''init'' — the main Fluxbox resource configuration file. See [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_init_file.html  Editing the init file].
* ''menu'' — the Fluxbox menu config. See below and [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_menu.html Editing the menu file].
* ''keys'' — the Fluxbox keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) file. See below and [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Keyboard_shortcuts.html Keyboard shortcuts].
* ''startup'' — where to launch startup apps but see below for .xinitrc and also [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_startup_file.html Editing the startup file].
* ''overlay'' — a configuration file to override elements of styles. See [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Style_overlay.html Style overlay].
* ''apps'' — a configuration file for remembering the window configuration of specific apps. See [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_apps_file.html Editing the apps file].
* ''windowmenu'' — a configuration file for altering the Window Menu itself: [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_windowmenu.html Editing the windowmenu].


exec startfluxbox
=== Menus ===


See [[xinitrc]] for details, such as preserving the logind session.
The Fluxbox root menu is defined in {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}} and it can be accessed by right clicking on the desktop. As with other lightweight window managers, Fluxbox does not automatically update its menu when you install new applications. Therefore, the menu will need to be regenerated when new applications are installed/uninstalled.


== Configuration ==
The basic syntax for a menu item to appear is:
[exec] (name) {command} <path to icon>


System-wide Fluxbox configuration files are in {{ic|/usr/share/fluxbox}} while user configuration files are in {{ic|~/.fluxbox}}. The user config files are:
...where "name" is the text you wish to appear for that menu item and "command" is the location of the binary, e.g.:
[exec] (Firefox Browser) {/usr/bin/firefox} <path to firefox icon>


* ''init'' - the main Fluxbox resource configuration file. See [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_init_file.html Editing the init file]
Note that the "<path to icon>" is optional. If you want to create a submenu, the syntax is:
* ''menu'' - the Fluxbox menu config. See below and [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_menu.html Editing the menu file]
  [submenu] (Name)
* ''keys'' - the Fluxbox keyboard shortcuts (hotkeys) file. See below and [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Keyboard_shortcuts.html here]
...
* ''startup'' - where to launch startup apps but see below for .xinitrc and also [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_startup_file.html here]
...
* ''overlay'' - a config file to override elements of styles. See [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Style_overlay.html here].
[end]
* ''apps'' - a config file for remembering the window configuration of specific apps. See [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_apps_file.html here]
When you have finished editing, save the file and exit. There is no need to restart Fluxbox. For more information, read [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_menu.html editing the Fluxbox menu].
* ''windowmenu'' - a config file for altering the Window Menu itself: [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_windowmenu.html read this]


There are a couple of other less important config files in the directory. But the main ones to be concerned with are init, menu, keys and perhaps startup.
==== Automatic menu generation ====


=== Menu management ===
There are some programs which can generate either a complete Fluxbox root menu or a submenu of installed applications which can be manually included in an existing root menu definition. These are outlined below.


When you first install Fluxbox a very basic applications menu will be created at {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}}. You access the menu via a right mouse button click on the desktop. As with other lightweight window managers Fluxbox does not automatically update its menu when you install new applications. It is therefore recommended that you install most of the apps you want on your system first and then re-generate or edit the menu. To enhance the menu and add/edit items there are basically four ways to do it:
===== fluxbox-generate_menu =====
 
==== fluxbox-generate_menu ====


There is a built-in command provided with Fluxbox:
There is a built-in command provided with Fluxbox:
Line 58: Line 56:
This command will auto-generate a {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}} file based on your installed programs. However, the menu it generates will not be as comprehensive as that generated by [[#MenuMaker|MenuMaker]].
This command will auto-generate a {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}} file based on your installed programs. However, the menu it generates will not be as comprehensive as that generated by [[#MenuMaker|MenuMaker]].


==== MenuMaker ====
===== MenuMaker =====


[http://menumaker.sourceforge.net MenuMaker] is a powerful tool that creates XML-based menus for a variety of Window Managers, including Fluxbox. MenuMaker will search your computer for executable programs and create a menu based on the results. It can be configured to exclude Legacy X, GNOME, KDE, or Xfce applications if desired.
[https://menumaker.sourceforge.net MenuMaker] is a powerful tool that creates XML-based menus for a variety of Window Managers, including Fluxbox. MenuMaker will search your computer for executable programs and create a menu based on the results. It can be configured to exclude Legacy X, GNOME, KDE, or Xfce applications if desired.


Install {{Pkg|menumaker}}, then you can generate a complete menu and overwrite the default one by running:
Install {{Pkg|menumaker}}, then you can generate a complete menu and overwrite the default one by running:
Line 72: Line 70:
  $ mmaker --help
  $ mmaker --help


==== Xdg-menu ====
===== Xdg-menu =====


You can also generate a menu using [[Xdg-menu]]. See the [[Xdg-menu#FluxBox]] section.
You can also generate a menu using [[Xdg-menu]]. See the [[Xdg-menu#FluxBox]] section.


==== Manually create/edit the menu ====
==== Other menus ====
 
In addition to the root menu, Fluxbox also provides the following menus:
 
* Workspaces Menu: middle click on desktop.
* Configuration Menu: located within the "Fluxbox" section of the "Root" menu.
* Window menu: right click on the titlebar of any window, or its bar if minimized. Can be edited. See {{man|5|fluxbox-menu}}.
* Toolbar menu: right click on empty part of toolbar. Also found as a sub-menu within the Configuration Menu.
* Slit Menu: found as a sub-menu within the configuration menu.
 
=== Keyboard ===
 
==== Keyboard shortcuts ====


Use your favourite text editor and edit the file: {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}}.
The Fluxbox hotkey file is located at {{ic|~/.fluxbox/keys}}.
The basic syntax for a menu item to appear is:
The Control key is represented by {{ic|Control}}. {{ic|Mod1}} corresponds to the Alt key and {{ic|Mod4}} corresponds to Super (not a standard key but most users map Super to the Win key).
[exec] (name) {command} <path to icon>


...where "name" is the text you wish to appear for that menu item and "command" is the location of the binary, e.g.:
{{Tip|For volume control hotkeys, see [[Advanced Linux Sound Architecture#Keyboard volume control]] and [[PulseAudio#Keyboard volume control]].}}
[exec] (Firefox Browser) {/usr/bin/firefox} <path to firefox icon>


Note that the "<path to icon>" is optional. If you want to create a submenu the syntax is:
==== Set the keyboard layout with Fluxbox ====
[submenu] (Name)
...
...
[end]
When you have finished editing, save the file and exit. There is no need to restart Fluxbox. For more info read [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_menu.html editing the Fluxbox menu].


=== Init ===
Just add the following line to {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}}:
setxkbmap us -variant intl & # to have a us keyboard with special characters enabled (like éóíáú)


The {{ic|~/.fluxbox/init}} file is Fluxbox's primary configuration resource file. You can change the basic functionality of Fluxbox, windows, toolbar, focus, etc. Some of these options are also available from the Fluxbox, Configuration Menu. For more detail read [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Editing_the_init_file.html Editing the init file].
Instead of 'us', you can also pass your language code and remove the variant option (ex.: 'us_intl', which works like the command above in some setups). See {{man|1|setxkbmap}} for more options.


=== Hotkeys ===
To make a help function in your menu, just add in {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}}:
[submenu] (Keyboard)
      [exec] (normal) {setxkbmap us}
      [exec] (international) {setxkbmap us -variant intl}
[end]


Fluxbox offers basic hotkeys functionality. The Fluxbox hotkey file is located at {{ic|~/.fluxbox/keys}}.
==== Clipboard Manager for Fluxbox ====
The Control key is represented by "Control". {{ic|Mod1}} corresponds to the Alt key and {{ic|Mod4}} corresponds to Super (not a standard key but most users map Super to the "Win" key). You should peruse and learn the {{ic|~/.fluxbox/keys}} file to enhance your Fluxbox experience.


==== Sound ====
You can use just about any clipboard manager you like with Fluxbox. The {{Pkg|parcellite}} package works very well with Fluxbox. Simply install parcellite and then add the commands to start parcellite when Fluxbox starts by adding the following in {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}} before the call to {{ic|exec fluxbox}}:


See [[Advanced Linux Sound Architecture#Keyboard volume control]] and [[PulseAudio#Keyboard volume control]].
## clipboard manager
clipmgr=$(type -p parcellite)
[ -x "$clipmgr" ] && "$clipmgr" &


=== Workspaces ===
=== Workspaces ===


Fluxbox defaults to having four workspaces. These are accessible using Ctrl+F1-F4 shortcuts, or by using the left mouse button to click the arrows on the toolbar. You can also access workspaces via a middle mouse button click on desktop which pops up the Workspaces Menu.
Fluxbox defaults to having four workspaces. These are accessible using the {{ic|Ctrl+F1-F4}} shortcuts, or by using the left mouse button to click the arrows on the toolbar. You can also access workspaces via a middle mouse button click on desktop which pops up the Workspaces Menu.


=== Tabbing and grouping ===
=== Tabbing and grouping ===


With at least two windows visible on your desktop use ctrl +left click on the upper window tab of one window and drag it into the other open window. The two windows will now be grouped together with window tabs in the upper window tab bar. You may now perform a window operation that will affect the entire window "group". To reverse the tabbing use {{ic|Ctrl+left click}} on a tab and drag it to an empty space on the desktop.
With at least two windows visible on your desktop, use {{ic|Ctrl+left click}} on the upper window tab of one window and drag it into the other open window. The two windows will now be grouped together with window tabs in the upper window tab bar. You may now perform a window operation that will affect the entire window "group". To reverse the tabbing, use {{ic|Ctrl+left click}} on a tab and drag it to an empty space on the desktop.
 
=== Wallpaper ===


Setting the background in Fluxbox has historically been convoluted, especially where transparency was required. The Fluxbox wiki now has an entry for [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/category/howtos/en/Howto_set_the_background.html background setting], so please refer to that.
=== Autostart ===


Check that you have a background setting application available:
Fluxbox provides functionality to autostart applications. The {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}} file is a script for autostarting applications as well as starting Fluxbox itself. The {{ic|#}} symbol denotes a comment. Make sure that any lines starting applications come before the call to start Fluxbox itself. Otherwise, these lines will not be reached until Fluxbox itself terminates.
$ fbsetbg -i


If not, install either feh, esetroot or wmsetbg using pacman. Then add this "fbsetbg" line to your {{ic|~/.xinitrc}} file, before the "exec" line, e.g.:
=== Wallpaper ===
fbsetbg /path/to/my/image.image


If this command returns a line like this:  
Fluxbox provides a wrapper script ''fbsetbg'' which can help one to set the wallpaper. Please refer to the [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/Howto_set_the_background.html Fluxbox wiki] for details. Alternatively, you can use a wallpaper setter such as [[feh]] or [[Nitrogen]] independently if you wish. See below.
$ /usr/bin/fbsetbg: line 153: xmessage: command not found
Then you need to install the package xorg-xmessage


==== Swapping multiple backgrounds easily ====
==== Swapping multiple backgrounds easily ====
Line 135: Line 138:
  [end]
  [end]


Then put your background images into {{ic|~/.fluxbox/backgrounds}} or any other folder you specify, they will then appear in the same fashion as your styles.
Then, put your background images into {{ic|~/.fluxbox/backgrounds}} or any other directory you specify; they will then appear in the same fashion as your styles.


The same applies to a dual screen wallpaper on a system without 'xinerama' (NVidia TwinView for example):
The same applies to a dual screen wallpaper on a system without 'xinerama' (NVidia TwinView for example):
Line 146: Line 149:
Install {{Pkg|feh}}.
Install {{Pkg|feh}}.


To make sure Fluxbox will load feh background next time start:
To make Fluxbox load a wallpaper via feh:


'''1.''' Make {{ic|.fehbg}} executable:
* First, make {{ic|.fehbg}} [[executable]].  
$ chmod 770 ~/.fehbg
* Then add (or modify) the following line to the file {{ic|~/.fluxbox/init}}:
 
:{{bc|session.screen0.rootCommand: ~/.fehbg}}
'''2.''' Then add (or modify) the following line to the file {{ic|~/.fluxbox/init}}:
* alternatively add (or modify) the following line to the file {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}}:
session.screen0.rootCommand: ~/.fehbg
:{{bc|~/.fehbg}}
 
'''3.''' or add (or modify) the following line to the file {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}}:
~/.fehbg
 
==== Nitrogen ====
 
You can also use the [[Nitrogen]] background setter with Fluxbox. Run the following command in a terminal:
 
$ nitrogen
 
to display the graphical wallpaper selector. Add the directory that contains the picture file you wish to use, select the picture and apply it. You can also change options such as whether the wallpaper should be centered or zoomed.
 
To ensure that the wallpaper is started at login, add the following line to your {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}} file: {{ic|nitrogen --restore &}}
 
You may find that if you restart Fluxbox, the wallpaper set by the currently selected theme overwrites the wallpaper set by Nitrogen. To fix this, edit the {{ic|theme.cfg}} file of the theme you are using and comment out or delete the following options:
 
background:
background.color:
background.colorTo:


=== Theming ===
=== Theming ===
Line 179: Line 163:
* User only - {{ic|~/.fluxbox/styles}}
* User only - {{ic|~/.fluxbox/styles}}


The ArchLinux [[AUR]] currently contains a compilation of good looking Fluxbox themes called "fluxmod-styles". Get it [https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/fluxmod-styles/ here]. When installed correctly they will appear in the Fluxbox -> Styles section of your Fluxbox menu.
The {{AUR|fluxmod-styles}} package contains a number of Fluxbox styles from the (now defunct) fluxmod.dk site.


To create your own Fluxbox styles read [http://fluxbox.org/help/man-fluxbox-style.php fluxbox-style(5)], [[Fluxbox/Style guide]] and this [http://tenr.de/howto/style_fluxbox/style_fluxbox.html style guide].
To create your own Fluxbox styles, please refer to [http://fluxbox.org/help/man-fluxbox-style.php fluxbox-style(5)], [[Fluxbox/Style guide]] and [http://tenr.de/howto/style_fluxbox/style_fluxbox.html tenr.de Fluxbox style guide].


If you use mmaker -f FluxBox to create your menus, you will not see the styles menu selection after you install the styles. To correct this add the following to {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}} after the restart menu item:
If you use mmaker -f FluxBox to create your menus, you will not see the styles menu selection after you install the styles. To correct this, add the following to {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}} after the restart menu item:
                 [submenu] (System Styles) {Choose a style...}
                 [submenu] (System Styles) {Choose a style...}
                       [stylesdir] (/usr/share/fluxbox/styles)
                       [stylesdir] (/usr/share/fluxbox/styles)
Line 193: Line 177:
=== The Slit ===
=== The Slit ===


Fluxbox, WindowMaker and a couple of other lightweight window managers have a "Slit". This is a dock for any application that can be 'dockable'. A docked application is anchored and appears on every workspace. It cannot be moved freely and is not influenced by any manipulation to windows. It is basically a small widget. Dock apps that are useful in such a situation tend to be clocks, system monitors, weather, etc. Visit [http://www.dockapps.net/ dockapps.net]
Some window managers, such as Fluxbox, Window Maker and Openbox, have a "Slit". This is a dock for any application that can be 'dockable'. A docked application is anchored and appears on every workspace. It cannot be moved freely and is not influenced by any manipulation to windows. It is essentially a small widget. Dock apps that are useful in such a situation tend to be clocks, system monitors, weather apps and so on. Visit [https://www.dockapps.net/ dockapps.net] to see what dockapps are available.
 
=== Autostart programs ===
 
Fluxbox provides functionality to autostart applications on its own. The {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}} file is a script for autostarting applications as well as starting Fluxbox itself. The {{ic|#}} symbol denotes a comment.
 
A sample file:
fbsetbg -l # sets the last background set, very useful and recommended.
# In the below commands the ampersand symbol (&) is required on all applications that do not terminate immediately.
# Failure to provide them will cause Fluxbox not to start.
idesk &
xterm &
# exec is for starting Fluxbox itself, do not put an ampersand (&) after this or Fluxbox will exit immediately.
exec /usr/bin/fluxbox
# or if you want to keep a log, uncomment the below command and comment out the above command:
# exec /usr/bin/fluxbox -log ~/.fluxbox/log
 
=== Other menus ===
 
In the "Menu Management" section (above) we were discussing the main "Applications" Menu, called the "Root" menu in Fluxbox lingo. Fluxbox also has other menus available to the user:
 
* Workspaces Menu: middle click on desktop.
* Configuration Menu: located within the "Fluxbox" section of the "Root" menu.
* Window menu: right click on the titlebar of any window, or its bar if minimized. Can be edited. See fluxbox-menu man page.
* Toolbar menu: right click on empty part of toolbar. Also found as a sub-menu within the Configuration Menu.
* Slit Menu: found as a sub-menu within the configuration menu.
 
=== Desktop effects ===
 
To enable desktop effects such as true transparency or shadows in Fluxbox you need an X compositor such as [[Xcompmgr]] or [[Compton]].
 
=== Notifications ===
 
To enable notifications on-screen for Fluxbox, ensure that a notification server is installed. See the [[desktop notifications]] article.
 
=== Xorg configuration without a xorg.conf file ===
 
Xorg no longer requires an ''xorg.conf'' file. Traditionally this is where you would change your keyboard settings and powersave settings. Luckily there are elegant solutions not using ''xorg.conf''.
 
==== Set the keyboard layout with Fluxbox ====
 
Just add the following line to {{ic|~/.fluxbox/startup}}:
setxkbmap us -variant intl & # to have a us keyboard with special characters enabled (like éóíáú)
 
Instead of 'us' you can also pass your language code and remove the variant option (ex.: 'us_intl', which works like the command above in some setups). See ''setxkbmap'' manual page for more options.
 
To make a help function in your menu, just add in {{ic|~/.fluxbox/menu}}:
[submenu] (Keyboard)
      [exec] (normal) {setxkbmap us}
      [exec] (international) {setxkbmap us -variant intl}
[end]


== See also ==
== See also ==


* [http://fluxbox.org/ Fluxbox Homepage]
* [https://github.com/fluxbox/fluxbox Fluxbox on Github]
* [http://fluxbox-wiki.org/ Fluxbox wiki]
* [https://fluxboxwiki.github.io/category/howtos/en/index.html Fluxbox wiki]
* [http://wiki.gentoo.org/wiki/Fluxbox Gentoo Wiki about Fluxbox]
* [[Gentoo:Fluxbox]]
* [https://www.box-look.org/browse/cat/139/ord/latest/ Themes for Fluxbox]
* [https://www.box-look.org/browse/cat/139/ord/latest/ Themes for Fluxbox]
* Fluxbox man page {{man|1|fluxbox}} (and related ones such as {{man|5|fluxbox-keys}})
* [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=77729 Narada's Fluxbox Guide]
* [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=77729 Narada's Fluxbox Guide]
* The Fluxbox man pages: fluxbox, fluxbox-menu, fluxbox-style, fluxbox-keys, fluxbox-apps, fluxbox-remote, fbsetroot, fbsetbg, fbrun, startfluxbox.
* [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=90260 Arch Linux Fluxbox screenshots]
* [https://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=90260 Arch Linux Fluxbox screenshots]

Latest revision as of 15:27, 23 November 2023

Fluxbox is a window manager for X11. It is based on the (now abandoned) Blackbox 0.61.1 code, but with significant enhancements and continued development. Fluxbox provides a number of window management features such as tabbing and grouping and has hundreds of styles (themes) available. All Fluxbox configuration is stored in plaintext files; however, some settings are exposed graphically in the configuration menu.

Installation

Install the fluxbox package.

Starting

Run startfluxbox with xinit.

Configuration

System-wide Fluxbox configuration files are in /usr/share/fluxbox while user configuration files are in ~/.fluxbox:

Menus

The Fluxbox root menu is defined in ~/.fluxbox/menu and it can be accessed by right clicking on the desktop. As with other lightweight window managers, Fluxbox does not automatically update its menu when you install new applications. Therefore, the menu will need to be regenerated when new applications are installed/uninstalled.

The basic syntax for a menu item to appear is:

[exec] (name) {command} <path to icon>

...where "name" is the text you wish to appear for that menu item and "command" is the location of the binary, e.g.:

[exec] (Firefox Browser) {/usr/bin/firefox} <path to firefox icon>

Note that the "<path to icon>" is optional. If you want to create a submenu, the syntax is:

[submenu] (Name)
...
...
[end]

When you have finished editing, save the file and exit. There is no need to restart Fluxbox. For more information, read editing the Fluxbox menu.

Automatic menu generation

There are some programs which can generate either a complete Fluxbox root menu or a submenu of installed applications which can be manually included in an existing root menu definition. These are outlined below.

fluxbox-generate_menu

There is a built-in command provided with Fluxbox:

$ fluxbox-generate_menu

This command will auto-generate a ~/.fluxbox/menu file based on your installed programs. However, the menu it generates will not be as comprehensive as that generated by MenuMaker.

MenuMaker

MenuMaker is a powerful tool that creates XML-based menus for a variety of Window Managers, including Fluxbox. MenuMaker will search your computer for executable programs and create a menu based on the results. It can be configured to exclude Legacy X, GNOME, KDE, or Xfce applications if desired.

Install menumaker, then you can generate a complete menu and overwrite the default one by running:

$ mmaker -f FluxBox

You can avoid populating your menu with terminal based applications such as alsamixer by running the following switches with the mmaker command: --no-legacy and --no-debian. For example:

$ mmaker -f --no-legacy --no-debian FluxBox

To see more MenuMaker options:

$ mmaker --help
Xdg-menu

You can also generate a menu using Xdg-menu. See the Xdg-menu#FluxBox section.

Other menus

In addition to the root menu, Fluxbox also provides the following menus:

  • Workspaces Menu: middle click on desktop.
  • Configuration Menu: located within the "Fluxbox" section of the "Root" menu.
  • Window menu: right click on the titlebar of any window, or its bar if minimized. Can be edited. See fluxbox-menu(5).
  • Toolbar menu: right click on empty part of toolbar. Also found as a sub-menu within the Configuration Menu.
  • Slit Menu: found as a sub-menu within the configuration menu.

Keyboard

Keyboard shortcuts

The Fluxbox hotkey file is located at ~/.fluxbox/keys. The Control key is represented by Control. Mod1 corresponds to the Alt key and Mod4 corresponds to Super (not a standard key but most users map Super to the Win key).

Set the keyboard layout with Fluxbox

Just add the following line to ~/.fluxbox/startup:

setxkbmap us -variant intl & # to have a us keyboard with special characters enabled (like éóíáú)

Instead of 'us', you can also pass your language code and remove the variant option (ex.: 'us_intl', which works like the command above in some setups). See setxkbmap(1) for more options.

To make a help function in your menu, just add in ~/.fluxbox/menu:

[submenu] (Keyboard)
      [exec] (normal) {setxkbmap us}
      [exec] (international) {setxkbmap us -variant intl}
[end]

Clipboard Manager for Fluxbox

You can use just about any clipboard manager you like with Fluxbox. The parcellite package works very well with Fluxbox. Simply install parcellite and then add the commands to start parcellite when Fluxbox starts by adding the following in ~/.fluxbox/startup before the call to exec fluxbox:

## clipboard manager
clipmgr=$(type -p parcellite)
[ -x "$clipmgr" ] && "$clipmgr" &

Workspaces

Fluxbox defaults to having four workspaces. These are accessible using the Ctrl+F1-F4 shortcuts, or by using the left mouse button to click the arrows on the toolbar. You can also access workspaces via a middle mouse button click on desktop which pops up the Workspaces Menu.

Tabbing and grouping

With at least two windows visible on your desktop, use Ctrl+left click on the upper window tab of one window and drag it into the other open window. The two windows will now be grouped together with window tabs in the upper window tab bar. You may now perform a window operation that will affect the entire window "group". To reverse the tabbing, use Ctrl+left click on a tab and drag it to an empty space on the desktop.

Autostart

Fluxbox provides functionality to autostart applications. The ~/.fluxbox/startup file is a script for autostarting applications as well as starting Fluxbox itself. The # symbol denotes a comment. Make sure that any lines starting applications come before the call to start Fluxbox itself. Otherwise, these lines will not be reached until Fluxbox itself terminates.

Wallpaper

Fluxbox provides a wrapper script fbsetbg which can help one to set the wallpaper. Please refer to the Fluxbox wiki for details. Alternatively, you can use a wallpaper setter such as feh or Nitrogen independently if you wish. See below.

Swapping multiple backgrounds easily

Place the following submenu in your Fluxbox menu:

[submenu] (Backgrounds)
[wallpapers] (~/.fluxbox/backgrounds) {feh --bg-scale}
[wallpapers] (/usr/share/fluxbox/backgrounds) {feh --bg-scale}
[end]

Then, put your background images into ~/.fluxbox/backgrounds or any other directory you specify; they will then appear in the same fashion as your styles.

The same applies to a dual screen wallpaper on a system without 'xinerama' (NVidia TwinView for example):

[submenu] (Backgrounds)
[wallpapers] (/path/to/your/backgrounds) {feh --bg-scale --no-xinerama }
[end]

Using feh with Fluxbox

Install feh.

To make Fluxbox load a wallpaper via feh:

  • First, make .fehbg executable.
  • Then add (or modify) the following line to the file ~/.fluxbox/init:
session.screen0.rootCommand:	~/.fehbg
  • alternatively add (or modify) the following line to the file ~/.fluxbox/startup:
~/.fehbg

Theming

To install a Fluxbox theme, extract the theme archive file to a styles directory. The default directories are:

  • Global - /usr/share/fluxbox/styles
  • User only - ~/.fluxbox/styles

The fluxmod-stylesAUR package contains a number of Fluxbox styles from the (now defunct) fluxmod.dk site.

To create your own Fluxbox styles, please refer to fluxbox-style(5), Fluxbox/Style guide and tenr.de Fluxbox style guide.

If you use mmaker -f FluxBox to create your menus, you will not see the styles menu selection after you install the styles. To correct this, add the following to ~/.fluxbox/menu after the restart menu item:

               [submenu] (System Styles) {Choose a style...}
                     [stylesdir] (/usr/share/fluxbox/styles)
                       [end]
               [submenu] (User Styles) {Choose a style...}
                     [stylesdir] (~/.fluxbox/styles)
                       [end]

The Slit

Some window managers, such as Fluxbox, Window Maker and Openbox, have a "Slit". This is a dock for any application that can be 'dockable'. A docked application is anchored and appears on every workspace. It cannot be moved freely and is not influenced by any manipulation to windows. It is essentially a small widget. Dock apps that are useful in such a situation tend to be clocks, system monitors, weather apps and so on. Visit dockapps.net to see what dockapps are available.

See also