FIRCH - Minimal Arch Linux Setup

install

wget firchwm.xyz/setup.sh
chmod +x setup.sh
./setup.sh

features

DWM window manager
ST terminal
Clean dotfiles
Automatic configuration
Zero bloat

core programs

dwm - Dynamic window manager
st - Simple terminal
dmenu - Dynamic menu
slstatus - Status monitor

additional software

System: xorg-server, picom, libx11, networkmanager
Development: base-devel, github-cli, neovim
Utilities: btop, neofetch, man-db
Browser: firefox
Audio: pulseaudio, pulsemixer, mpd, ncmpcpp
Media: mpv (video), nsxiv (images), mupdf (pdf)
Files: ranger (file manager), unzip, unrar, rsync
Mail: neomutt

requirements

Fresh Arch-based Linux installation
Working internet connection
At least 2GB free disk space

⚠️ Remember to review the script contents and backup your existing configurations before installation.

setup

FIRCH follows these steps to set up your minimal Arch Linux environment:

Base Setup
- Installs essential development tools
- Sets up build environment
DWM Installation
- Clones DWM source
- Applies custom patches
- Compiles and installs
ST Terminal
- Builds minimal ST terminal
- Configures with sane defaults
Configuration
- Sets up .xinitrc
- Configures basic keybindings
- Installs status bar

keybindings

window manager (dwm)

Here are the main window management and navigation shortcuts:

[Win] + [Return]          Launch terminal
[Win] + [w]               Launch Firefox
[Win] + [p]               Open dmenu
[Win] + [b]               Toggle bar
[Win] + [j/k]             Focus next/previous window
[Win] + [h/l]             Decrease/increase master size
[Win] + [i/d]             Add/remove master windows
[Win] + [q]               Kill window
[Win] + [t]               Tiling mode
[Win] + [f]               Floating mode
[Win] + [m]               Monocle mode
[Win] + [space]           Toggle between layouts
[Win] + [shift] + [space] Toggle floating
[Win] + [-/=]             Decrease/increase gaps
[Win] + [shift] + [=]     Reset gaps
[Win] + [1-9]             Switch to workspace
[Win] + [shift] + [1-9]   Move window to workspace
[Win] + [shift] + [q]     Quit dwm

terminal (st)

The terminal includes standard copy/paste and zoom controls:

[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [c]  Copy
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [v]  Paste
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [y]  Copy selected text
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [PageUp]    Zoom in
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [PageDown]  Zoom out
[Ctrl] + [Shift] + [Home]      Reset zoom

mouse controls

Windows can also be managed using mouse with modifier keys:

[Win] + [Left Click]    Move window
[Win] + [Right Click]   Resize window
[Win] + [Middle Click]  Toggle floating

about

firch is a minimal window manager configuration built on top of dwm, following the suckless philosophy of simplicity and efficiency. it aims to provide a clean, fast, and distraction-free computing environment.

the project started as a personal configuration to eliminate unnecessary bloat while maintaining full functionality. it uses only essential software and configurations, making it ideal for both new arch users wanting a minimal setup and experienced users seeking a clean slate.

patches

the following patches are included in the dwm build:

alpha - transparency support
gaps - spacing between windows
fullgaps - adjustable gap size

customization

all configurations can be found in the .suckless directory:

.suckless/dwm/config.h - window manager settings
.suckless/st/config.h - terminal configuration
.suckless/dmenu/config.h - application launcher
.suckless/slstatus/config.h - status bar setup

troubleshooting

If audio isn't working, try restarting pulseaudio with 'pulseaudio --kill && pulseaudio --start'
For display issues, check xrandr settings in .xinitrc

contributions and feedback are welcome on our github repository