Getting Started with DWN

Learn the fundamentals of DWN and become productive in minutes.

First Steps

After installing DWN and starting your session, you'll see a clean desktop with two panels: a top panel with workspace indicators, taskbar, and system tray, and a bottom panel showing the clock.

Opening Your First Application

Start by launching a terminal and application launcher:

Shortcut	Action
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `T`	Open terminal
`Alt` + `F2`	Open application launcher (dmenu/rofi)
`Super` + `E`	Open file manager
`Super` + `B`	Open web browser

Tip: Run the Tutorial

Press Super + T to start an interactive tutorial that will guide you through all essential shortcuts.

Basic Concepts

The Super Key

Most DWN shortcuts use the Super key (often the Windows key or Command key). This keeps shortcuts separate from application shortcuts that typically use Ctrl or Alt.

Focus Model

By default, DWN uses "click to focus" - you click on a window to focus it. You can change this to "focus follows mouse" (sloppy focus) in the configuration.

Window Decorations

DWN features a professional borderless design for maximum screen utilization:

0px borders - No visible borders around windows
0px gaps - Windows tile edge-to-edge without spacing
28px title bars - Minimal height showing window name and controls

The title bar color indicates focus:

Bright title bar - Focused window
Dim title bar - Unfocused window

This seamless design creates a smooth, professional appearance where content takes center stage. All settings can be customized in ~/.config/dwn/config.

Interactive Tutorial

DWN includes a built-in interactive tutorial that teaches you essential shortcuts step by step. The tutorial:

Shows instructions for each shortcut
Waits for you to press the correct keys
Automatically advances when you complete each step
Covers all essential shortcuts from basic to advanced

Start the Tutorial

Press Super + T at any time to start or resume the tutorial.

Demo Mode

DWN includes an automated demo mode that showcases all features without requiring any interaction. The demo:

Automatically demonstrates window management operations
Shows workspace switching and layout changes
Highlights panel features and system tray widgets
Demonstrates AI integration capabilities (if configured)
Displays the complete keyboard shortcut reference

Start Demo Mode

Press Super + Shift + D to start the demo. Press the same shortcut again to stop it at any time.

Managing Windows

Window Operations

Shortcut	Action
`Alt` + `F4`	Close focused window
`Alt` + `Tab`	Cycle to next window
`Alt` + `Shift` + `Tab`	Cycle to previous window
`Alt` + `F10`	Toggle maximize
`Alt` + `F11`	Toggle fullscreen
`Super` + `F9`	Toggle floating for current window

Moving and Resizing

In floating mode, you can move and resize windows with the mouse:

Move - Click and drag the title bar
Resize - Drag any window edge or corner

Using Workspaces

DWN provides 9 virtual workspaces to organize your windows. You can see which workspaces are active in the top panel.

Workspace Navigation

Shortcut	Action
`F1` - `F9`	Switch to workspace 1-9
`Shift` + `F1` - `F9`	Move window to workspace 1-9
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Right`	Next workspace
`Ctrl` + `Alt` + `Left`	Previous workspace

Workspace Organization Tips

Workspace 1 - Main work (editor, terminal)
Workspace 2 - Web browser, documentation
Workspace 3 - Communication (email, chat)
Workspace 4-9 - Project-specific contexts

Layout Modes

DWN supports three layout modes. Press Super + Space to cycle through them.

Tiling

Windows automatically arranged in master-stack layout. Perfect for development workflows.

Floating

Traditional overlapping windows. Move and resize freely.

Monocle

One fullscreen window at a time. Great for focused work.

Tiling Layout Controls

Shortcut	Action
`Super` + `H`	Shrink master area
`Super` + `L`	Expand master area
`Super` + `I`	Increase master window count
`Super` + `D`	Decrease master window count

Panels & System Tray

Top Panel

The top panel contains:

Workspace indicators - Click to switch, highlighted when occupied
Taskbar - Shows windows on current workspace
System tray - Battery, volume, WiFi (see below)

System Tray

Indicator	Click	Right-click	Scroll
Volume	Show slider	Toggle mute	Adjust volume
WiFi	Show networks	Disconnect	-
Battery	-	-	-

Bottom Panel

The bottom panel shows the current time and a scrolling news ticker. Open the current article with Super + Return. Both panels can be hidden in the configuration if you prefer a minimal setup.

WebSocket API

DWN exposes a real-time WebSocket API (default port 8777) that allows for complete programmatic control of the window manager.

Connecting

Endpoint: ws://localhost:8777/ws

The API must be enabled in your configuration:

[api]
enabled = true
port = 8777

Supported Commands

Command	Description
`get_status`	Get WM version and current workspace ID
`get_workspaces`	List all workspaces and their client counts
`get_clients`	Get details of all managed windows
`switch_workspace`	Change to a specific workspace ID
`run_command`	Execute a shell command
`focus_client`	Focus a specific window by ID

Advanced Examples

Check the scripts/api_examples/ directory in the source tree for sophisticated implementations:

Window Picker (window_picker_fzf.py) - Fuzzy finder for windows.
Session Manager (session_manager.py) - Save/restore window layouts.
Web Remote (web_remote.html) - Browser-based dashboard.
Auto-Manager (listen.py) - Proactive workspace optimization.

Next Steps

Now that you know the basics, explore these topics: