🚀 Mastering Rofi in i3: A Cool & Fun Guide

So, you've installed Rofi, jazzed it up with some sweet themes from adi1090x, and now you're ready to turn it into a powerful, futuristic multitool. Let’s dive into customizing your workflow with Rofi!

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1️⃣ Install & Configure Rofi

1. Clone the repository for amazing pre-made themes:

   git clone https://github.com/adi1090x/rofi.git ~/rofi-themes

1. Navigate to the cloned directory:

   cd ~/rofi-themes

1. Run the setup script to install the themes:

   ./setup.sh

1. Choose your desired theme style during setup (light, dark, or custom). Themes are installed in ~/.config/rofi.

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2️⃣ Make Rofi Pop with i3 Keybindings

Add the following to your i3 configuration file (~/.config/i3/config):

🔹 Launch Rofi in "drun" mode (app launcher):

bindsym $mod+d exec --no-startup-id rofi -show drun -theme ~/.config/rofi/config.rasi

🔹 Switch to "run" mode (execute commands):

bindsym $mod+r exec --no-startup-id rofi -show run -theme ~/.config/rofi/config.rasi

🔹 Switch to "window" mode (manage windows):

bindsym $mod+w exec --no-startup-id rofi -show window -theme ~/.config/rofi/config.rasi

🔹 Enable "file browser" mode (navigate files):

To browse files, ensure Rofi Scripts are installed from the adi1090x repo:

bindsym $mod+f exec --no-startup-id rofi -modi filebrowser -show filebrowser -theme ~/.config/rofi/config.rasi

Reload i3 ($mod+Shift+R) to apply these bindings.

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3️⃣ Tips & Tricks for Using Rofi

💡 Switch Between Modes Dynamically

• While in any mode (e.g., drun), type Ctrl+Tab to cycle through modes like:
  • drun → App Launcher
  • run → Command Runner
  • window → Window Switcher
  • filebrowser → File Manager

💡 Search Smarter in "drun" Mode

• Search for apps by typing their name (e.g., fir for Firefox).
• Use arrow keys to navigate and hit Enter to launch.

💡 Use "run" Mode Like a Pro

• Type commands directly:
  • htop → Launch system monitor.
  • shutdown now → Turn off your system.
• Rofi remembers past commands, making it quicker to access frequent ones.

💡 Master the "window" Mode

• Quickly switch between open windows:
  • Type part of the window name.
  • Example: Type "term" to jump to an open terminal.

💡 Browse Files with Rofi (Filebrowser Mode)

• Launch the file browser mode and navigate files using:
  • Arrow keys → Navigate.
  • Tab → Auto-complete.
  • Enter → Open the file or directory.

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4️⃣ Rofi Keyboard Shortcuts

Key	Function
Ctrl+Tab	Switch between modes (drun, run, etc.)
Enter	Select an option
Esc	Exit Rofi
Arrow Keys	Navigate the menu
Alt+Enter	Launch in a terminal (requires setup)

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5️⃣ Customize Themes for a Futuristic Look

🔹 Edit a Theme:

Rofi themes are located in ~/.config/rofi. Open and tweak a theme:

nano ~/.config/rofi/config.rasi

🔹 Change Colors for Abstract Vibes:

• Background: Neon with transparency:

  background: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.8);

• Highlight Selected Items:

  selected-background: #00FFAB;  /* Neon green */
  selected-foreground: #FFFFFF;

🔹 Rounded Corners:

• Add modern rounded corners for a clean UI:

  border-radius: 10px;

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6️⃣ Fun Rofi Ideas

1. Game Launcher:

   • Bind $mod+g to launch Rofi with a custom list of games.

2. Spotify Control:

   • Use Rofi to search and play songs with Rofi Spotify.

3. SSH Connection Manager:

   • Add a mode to manage SSH connections for servers.

4. Calculator Mode:

   • Add a script for quick calculations using Rofi.

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Now you're all set to make Rofi your supertool in i3! 🎉 Feel free to experiment and share your favorite Rofi setups!