🪟 Setting Up Awesome Window Manager in Alpine Linux: Simple Guide

Setting up Awesome window manager makes your desktop super efficient! ⚡ This tutorial shows you how to configure Awesome easily. Don’t worry - it’s simpler than you think! 😊

🤔 What is Awesome Window Manager?

Awesome is like a smart organizer for your desktop windows. It automatically arranges and manages windows efficiently without wasting screen space!

Awesome helps you:

• ⚡ Navigate between windows super fast
• 🎯 Use keyboard shortcuts for everything
• 📐 Automatically arrange windows in layouts
• 🎨 Customize your desktop completely

🎯 What You Need

Before we start, you need:

• ✅ Alpine Linux system running
• ✅ Root or sudo access
• ✅ Basic understanding of Linux desktop
• ✅ Internet connection for installing packages

📋 Step 1: Installing Awesome Window Manager

🔧 Setting Up Desktop Environment

Let’s start by installing Awesome and all necessary components. It’s going to be awesome! 😊

What we’re doing: Installing Awesome window manager with display server and essential tools.

# Update package manager
apk update

# Install X11 display server
apk add xorg-server xf86-video-vesa xf86-input-evdev

# Install Awesome window manager
apk add awesome awesome-doc

# Install essential desktop applications
apk add xterm dmenu feh nitrogen compton

# Install fonts for better display
apk add font-dejavu font-noto font-awesome

# Install audio support
apk add alsa-utils pulseaudio pulseaudio-alsa

# Install network manager
apk add networkmanager networkmanager-wifi

# Install file manager and basic tools
apk add pcmanfm gvfs udisks2

# Check Awesome version
awesome --version

# Enable services
rc-update add dbus default
rc-update add networkmanager default

# Start services
rc-service dbus start
rc-service networkmanager start

What this does: 📖 Installs Awesome window manager with all necessary desktop components.

Expected Output:

awesome v4.3 (Too long)
 * Starting D-Bus daemon...                                          [ ok ]
 * Starting NetworkManager...                                        [ ok ]

What this means: Your Awesome desktop environment is installed! ✅

💡 Important Tips

Tip: Awesome uses keyboard shortcuts for everything - it’s super efficient! 💡

Warning: Learn the basic keybindings before starting, or you might get stuck! ⚠️

🛠️ Step 2: Basic Awesome Configuration

🎨 Creating Initial Configuration

Now let’s configure Awesome with a user-friendly setup. This is where the magic happens! 😊

What we’re doing: Setting up Awesome configuration files and basic customization.

# Create user for desktop (if not exists)
adduser -D -s /bin/sh awesomeuser

# Switch to user context for configuration
su - awesomeuser

# Create Awesome config directory
mkdir -p ~/.config/awesome

# Copy default configuration
cp /etc/xdg/awesome/rc.lua ~/.config/awesome/

# Create custom configuration
cat > ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua << 'EOF'
-- Awesome Window Manager Configuration
-- Simple and beginner-friendly setup

-- Standard awesome library
local gears = require("gears")
local awful = require("awful")
require("awful.autofocus")
local wibox = require("wibox")
local beautiful = require("beautiful")
local naughty = require("naughty")
local lain = require("lain")

-- {{{ Error handling
if awesome.startup_errors then
    naughty.notify({ preset = naughty.config.presets.critical,
                     title = "Oops, there were errors during startup!",
                     text = awesome.startup_errors })
end

do
    local in_error = false
    awesome.connect_signal("debug::error", function (err)
        if in_error then return end
        in_error = true

        naughty.notify({ preset = naughty.config.presets.critical,
                         title = "Oops, an error happened!",
                         text = tostring(err) })
        in_error = false
    end)
end
-- }}}

-- {{{ Variable definitions
beautiful.init("/usr/share/awesome/themes/default/theme.lua")

-- Default modkey (Windows key)
modkey = "Mod4"

-- Table of layouts
awful.layout.layouts = {
    awful.layout.suit.floating,
    awful.layout.suit.tile,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.left,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.bottom,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.top,
    awful.layout.suit.fair,
    awful.layout.suit.fair.horizontal,
    awful.layout.suit.spiral,
    awful.layout.suit.max,
    awful.layout.suit.max.fullscreen,
}
-- }}}

-- {{{ Menu
myawesomemenu = {
   { "Hotkeys", function() hotkeys_popup.show_help(nil, awful.screen.focused()) end },
   { "Manual", terminal .. " -e man awesome" },
   { "Edit config", editor_cmd .. " " .. awesome.conffile },
   { "Restart", awesome.restart },
   { "Quit", function() awesome.quit() end },
}

mymainmenu = awful.menu({ items = { { "Awesome", myawesomemenu, beautiful.awesome_icon },
                                    { "Terminal", terminal },
                                    { "File Manager", "pcmanfm" },
                                    { "Web Browser", "firefox" },
                                  }
                        })

mylauncher = awful.widget.launcher({ image = beautiful.awesome_icon,
                                     menu = mymainmenu })
-- }}}

-- {{{ Wibar
-- Create a textclock widget
mytextclock = wibox.widget.textclock()

-- Create a wibox for each screen and add it
local taglist_buttons = gears.table.join(
                    awful.button({ }, 1, function(t) t:view_only() end),
                    awful.button({ modkey }, 1, function(t)
                                              if client.focus then
                                                  client.focus:move_to_tag(t)
                                              end
                                          end),
                    awful.button({ }, 3, awful.tag.viewtoggle),
                    awful.button({ modkey }, 3, function(t)
                                              if client.focus then
                                                  client.focus:toggle_tag(t)
                                              end
                                          end),
                    awful.button({ }, 4, function(t) awful.tag.viewnext(t.screen) end),
                    awful.button({ }, 5, function(t) awful.tag.viewprev(t.screen) end)
                )

local tasklist_buttons = gears.table.join(
                     awful.button({ }, 1, function (c)
                                              if c == client.focus then
                                                  c.minimized = true
                                              else
                                                  c:emit_signal(
                                                      "request::activate",
                                                      "tasklist",
                                                      {raise = true}
                                                  )
                                              end
                                          end),
                     awful.button({ }, 3, function()
                                              awful.menu.client_list({ theme = { width = 250 } })
                                          end),
                     awful.button({ }, 4, function ()
                                              awful.client.focus.byidx(1)
                                          end),
                     awful.button({ }, 5, function ()
                                              awful.client.focus.byidx(-1)
                                          end))

awful.screen.connect_for_each_screen(function(s)
    -- Wallpaper
    gears.wallpaper.maximized("/usr/share/pixmaps/awesome.png", s, true)

    -- Each screen has its own tag table.
    awful.tag({ "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" }, s, awful.layout.layouts[1])

    -- Create a promptbox for each screen
    s.mypromptbox = awful.widget.prompt()
    -- Create an imagebox widget which will contain an icon indicating which layout we're using.
    s.mylayoutbox = awful.widget.layoutbox(s)
    s.mylayoutbox:buttons(gears.table.join(
                           awful.button({ }, 1, function () awful.layout.inc( 1) end),
                           awful.button({ }, 3, function () awful.layout.inc(-1) end),
                           awful.button({ }, 4, function () awful.layout.inc( 1) end),
                           awful.button({ }, 5, function () awful.layout.inc(-1) end)))
    -- Create a taglist widget
    s.mytaglist = awful.widget.taglist {
        screen  = s,
        filter  = awful.widget.taglist.filter.all,
        buttons = taglist_buttons
    }

    -- Create a tasklist widget
    s.mytasklist = awful.widget.tasklist {
        screen  = s,
        filter  = awful.widget.tasklist.filter.currenttags,
        buttons = tasklist_buttons
    }

    -- Create the wibox
    s.mywibox = awful.wibar({ position = "top", screen = s })

    -- Add widgets to the wibox
    s.mywibox:setup {
        layout = wibox.layout.align.horizontal,
        { -- Left widgets
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
            mylauncher,
            s.mytaglist,
            s.mypromptbox,
        },
        s.mytasklist, -- Middle widget
        { -- Right widgets
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
            wibox.widget.systray(),
            mytextclock,
            s.mylayoutbox,
        },
    }
end)
-- }}}

-- {{{ Key bindings
globalkeys = gears.table.join(
    -- Show help
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "s",      hotkeys_popup.show_help,
              {description="show help", group="awesome"}),

    -- Tag browsing
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Left",   awful.tag.viewprev,
              {description = "view previous", group = "tag"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Right",  awful.tag.viewnext,
              {description = "view next", group = "tag"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Escape", awful.tag.history.restore,
              {description = "go back", group = "tag"}),

    -- Default client focus
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "j",
        function ()
            awful.client.focus.byidx( 1)
        end,
        {description = "focus next by index", group = "client"}
    ),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "k",
        function ()
            awful.client.focus.byidx(-1)
        end,
        {description = "focus previous by index", group = "client"}
    ),

    -- Layout manipulation
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "j", function () awful.client.swap.byidx(  1)    end,
              {description = "swap with next client by index", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "k", function () awful.client.swap.byidx( -1)    end,
              {description = "swap with previous client by index", group = "client"}),

    -- Standard program
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Return", function () awful.spawn(terminal) end,
              {description = "open a terminal", group = "launcher"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "r", awesome.restart,
              {description = "reload awesome", group = "awesome"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "q", awesome.quit,
              {description = "quit awesome", group = "awesome"}),

    -- Layout control
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "l",     function () awful.tag.incmwfact( 0.05)          end,
              {description = "increase master width factor", group = "layout"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "h",     function () awful.tag.incmwfact(-0.05)          end,
              {description = "decrease master width factor", group = "layout"}),

    -- Prompt
    awful.key({ modkey },            "r",     function () awful.screen.focused().mypromptbox:run() end,
              {description = "run prompt", group = "launcher"}),

    -- Dmenu
    awful.key({ modkey },            "p",     function () awful.spawn("dmenu_run") end,
              {description = "run dmenu", group = "launcher"}),

    -- Applications
    awful.key({ modkey },            "w",     function () awful.spawn("firefox") end,
              {description = "run web browser", group = "launcher"}),
    awful.key({ modkey },            "f",     function () awful.spawn("pcmanfm") end,
              {description = "run file manager", group = "launcher"})
)

-- Bind all key numbers to tags.
for i = 1, 9 do
    globalkeys = gears.table.join(globalkeys,
        -- View tag only.
        awful.key({ modkey }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                        local screen = awful.screen.focused()
                        local tag = screen.tags[i]
                        if tag then
                           tag:view_only()
                        end
                  end,
                  {description = "view tag #"..i, group = "tag"}),
        -- Toggle tag display.
        awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                      local screen = awful.screen.focused()
                      local tag = screen.tags[i]
                      if tag then
                         awful.tag.viewtoggle(tag)
                      end
                  end,
                  {description = "toggle tag #" .. i, group = "tag"}),
        -- Move client to tag.
        awful.key({ modkey, "Shift" }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                      if client.focus then
                          local tag = client.focus.screen.tags[i]
                          if tag then
                              client.focus:move_to_tag(tag)
                          end
                     end
                  end,
                  {description = "move focused client to tag #"..i, group = "tag"}),
        -- Toggle tag on focused client.
        awful.key({ modkey, "Control", "Shift" }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                      if client.focus then
                          local tag = client.focus.screen.tags[i]
                          if tag then
                              client.focus:toggle_tag(tag)
                          end
                      end
                  end,
                  {description = "toggle focused client on tag #" .. i, group = "tag"})
    )
end

-- Set keys
root.keys(globalkeys)
-- }}}

-- {{{ Rules
awful.rules.rules = {
    -- All clients will match this rule.
    { rule = { },
      properties = { border_width = beautiful.border_width,
                     border_color = beautiful.border_normal,
                     focus = awful.client.focus.filter,
                     raise = true,
                     keys = clientkeys,
                     buttons = clientbuttons,
                     screen = awful.screen.preferred,
                     placement = awful.placement.no_overlap+awful.placement.no_offscreen
     }
    },

    -- Floating clients.
    { rule_any = {
        instance = {
          "DTA",  -- Firefox addon DownThemAll.
          "copyq",  -- Includes session name in class.
          "pinentry",
        },
        class = {
          "Arandr",
          "Blueman-manager",
          "Gpick",
          "Kruler",
          "MessageWin",  -- kalarm.
          "Sxiv",
          "Tor Browser", -- Needs a fixed window size to avoid fingerprinting by screen size.
          "Wpa_gui",
          "veromix",
          "xtightvncviewer"},

        -- Note that the name property shown in xprop might be set slightly after creation of the client
        -- and the name shown there might not match defined rules here.
        name = {
          "Event Tester",  -- xev.
        },
        role = {
          "AlarmWindow",  -- Thunderbird's calendar.
          "ConfigManager",  -- Thunderbird's about:config.
          "pop-up",       -- e.g. Google Chrome's (detached) Developer Tools.
        }
      }, properties = { floating = true }},

    -- Add titlebars to normal clients and dialogs
    { rule_any = {type = { "normal", "dialog" }
      }, properties = { titlebars_enabled = true }
    },
}
-- }}}

-- {{{ Signals
-- Signal function to execute when a new client appears.
client.connect_signal("manage", function (c)
    if awesome.startup
      and not c.size_hints.user_position
      and not c.size_hints.program_position then
        awful.placement.no_offscreen(c)
    end
end)

-- Add a titlebar if titlebars_enabled is set to true in the rules.
client.connect_signal("request::titlebars", function(c)
    -- buttons for the titlebar
    local buttons = gears.table.join(
        awful.button({ }, 1, function()
            c:emit_signal("request::activate", "titlebar", {raise = true})
            awful.mouse.client.move(c)
        end),
        awful.button({ }, 3, function()
            c:emit_signal("request::activate", "titlebar", {raise = true})
            awful.mouse.client.resize(c)
        end)
    )

    awful.titlebar(c) : setup {
        { -- Left
            awful.titlebar.widget.iconwidget(c),
            buttons = buttons,
            layout  = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal
        },
        { -- Middle
            { -- Title
                align  = "center",
                widget = awful.titlebar.widget.titlewidget(c)
            },
            buttons = buttons,
            layout  = wibox.layout.flex.horizontal
        },
        { -- Right
            awful.titlebar.widget.floatingbutton (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.maximizedbutton(c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.stickybutton   (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.ontopbutton    (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.closebutton    (c),
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal()
        },
        layout = wibox.layout.align.horizontal
    }
end)

-- Enable sloppy focus, so that focus follows mouse.
client.connect_signal("mouse::enter", function(c)
    c:emit_signal("request::activate", "mouse_enter", {raise = false})
end)

client.connect_signal("focus", function(c) c.border_color = beautiful.border_focus end)
client.connect_signal("unfocus", function(c) c.border_color = beautiful.border_normal end)
-- }}}

-- Autostart applications
awful.spawn.with_shell("~/.config/awesome/autostart.sh")
EOF

# Create autostart script
cat > ~/.config/awesome/autostart.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/sh

# Network applet
nm-applet &

# Volume control
pulseaudio &

# Compositor for transparency effects
compton &

# Set wallpaper
nitrogen --restore &

# System tray icons
blueman-applet &

# File manager daemon
/usr/lib/gvfs/gvfsd &

echo "🚀 Awesome autostart completed"
EOF

chmod +x ~/.config/awesome/autostart.sh

# Create .xinitrc for starting Awesome
cat > ~/.xinitrc << 'EOF'
#!/bin/sh

# Load X resources
xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources 2>/dev/null

# Set keyboard layout
setxkbmap us

# Start Awesome window manager
exec awesome
EOF

chmod +x ~/.xinitrc

# Exit back to root
exit

echo "✅ Awesome configuration created!"
echo ""
echo "🚀 To start Awesome desktop:"
echo "1. Login as awesomeuser"
echo "2. Run: startx"
echo "3. Press Mod4+Return to open terminal"
echo "4. Press Mod4+p to open application launcher"

Code explanation:

• modkey = "Mod4": Sets the Windows key as the main modifier
• awful.layout.layouts: Defines available window layouts
• globalkeys: Sets up keyboard shortcuts for window management
• awful.rules.rules: Defines how different applications should behave
• autostart.sh: Runs essential services when Awesome starts

Expected Output:

✅ Awesome configuration created!

🚀 To start Awesome desktop:
1. Login as awesomeuser
2. Run: startx
3. Press Mod4+Return to open terminal
4. Press Mod4+p to open application launcher

What this means: Your Awesome window manager is configured and ready! 🎉

🎮 Let’s Try It!

Time for hands-on practice! This is the fun part! 🎯

What we’re doing: Creating a complete desktop setup with wallpaper and essential applications.

# Switch to awesome user
su - awesomeuser

# Create wallpaper directory
mkdir -p ~/Pictures/Wallpapers

# Download a nice wallpaper
wget -O ~/Pictures/Wallpapers/mountain.jpg "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1506905925346-21bda4d32df4?w=1920&h=1080&fit=crop"

# Create X resources file for better fonts
cat > ~/.Xresources << 'EOF'
! X Resources Configuration for Awesome
! Font settings
Xft.dpi: 96
Xft.antialias: true
Xft.rgba: rgb
Xft.hinting: true
Xft.hintstyle: hintslight

! Terminal colors
*background: #1d1f21
*foreground: #c5c8c6
*color0:     #1d1f21
*color1:     #cc6666
*color2:     #b5bd68
*color3:     #f0c674
*color4:     #81a2be
*color5:     #b294bb
*color6:     #8abeb7
*color7:     #c5c8c6
*color8:     #969896
*color9:     #cc6666
*color10:    #b5bd68
*color11:    #f0c674
*color12:    #81a2be
*color13:    #b294bb
*color14:    #8abeb7
*color15:    #ffffff
EOF

# Create nitrogen wallpaper config
mkdir -p ~/.config/nitrogen
cat > ~/.config/nitrogen/nitrogen.cfg << 'EOF'
[geometry]
posx=310
posy=253
sizex=700
sizey=500

[nitrogen]
view=icon
recurse=true
sort=alpha
icon_caps=false
dirs=/home/awesomeuser/Pictures/Wallpapers;
EOF

cat > ~/.config/nitrogen/bg-saved.cfg << 'EOF'
[xin_-1]
file=/home/awesomeuser/Pictures/Wallpapers/mountain.jpg
mode=5
bgcolor=#000000
EOF

# Create a custom theme
mkdir -p ~/.config/awesome/themes/custom
cat > ~/.config/awesome/themes/custom/theme.lua << 'EOF'
-- Custom Awesome Theme

local theme_assets = require("beautiful.theme_assets")
local xresources = require("beautiful.xresources")
local dpi = xresources.apply_dpi

local gfs = require("gears.filesystem")
local themes_path = gfs.get_themes_dir()

local theme = {}

-- Colors
theme.bg_normal     = "#1d1f21"
theme.bg_focus      = "#373b41"
theme.bg_urgent     = "#cc6666"
theme.bg_minimize   = "#444444"
theme.bg_systray    = theme.bg_normal

theme.fg_normal     = "#c5c8c6"
theme.fg_focus      = "#ffffff"
theme.fg_urgent     = "#ffffff"
theme.fg_minimize   = "#ffffff"

-- Borders
theme.useless_gap   = dpi(3)
theme.border_width  = dpi(2)
theme.border_normal = "#373b41"
theme.border_focus  = "#81a2be"
theme.border_marked = "#cc6666"

-- Font
theme.font          = "DejaVu Sans 10"

-- Menu
theme.menu_submenu_icon = themes_path.."default/submenu.png"
theme.menu_height = dpi(15)
theme.menu_width  = dpi(100)

-- Notifications
theme.notification_font = theme.font
theme.notification_bg = theme.bg_focus
theme.notification_fg = theme.fg_focus

-- Tasklist
theme.tasklist_bg_focus = theme.bg_focus
theme.tasklist_fg_focus = theme.fg_focus

-- Titlebar
theme.titlebar_bg_focus  = theme.bg_focus
theme.titlebar_bg_normal = theme.bg_normal

-- Generate Awesome icon:
theme.awesome_icon = theme_assets.awesome_icon(
    theme.menu_height, theme.bg_focus, theme.fg_focus
)

-- Define the icon theme for application icons
theme.icon_theme = nil

return theme
EOF

# Update Awesome config to use custom theme
sed -i 's|beautiful.init("/usr/share/awesome/themes/default/theme.lua")|beautiful.init(gears.filesystem.get_configuration_dir() .. "themes/custom/theme.lua")|' ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua

# Create desktop applications menu
mkdir -p ~/.config/awesome/widgets
cat > ~/.config/awesome/widgets/app_menu.lua << 'EOF'
-- Application Menu Widget for Awesome

local awful = require("awful")
local beautiful = require("beautiful")

local app_menu = {}

-- Create application menu
app_menu.applications = {
    { "Terminal", "xterm", "/usr/share/pixmaps/xterm.xpm" },
    { "File Manager", "pcmanfm", "/usr/share/pixmaps/pcmanfm.png" },
    { "Text Editor", "xterm -e vi", "/usr/share/pixmaps/vim.png" },
    { "Calculator", "xcalc", "/usr/share/pixmaps/xcalc.xpm" },
    { "System Monitor", "xterm -e top", "/usr/share/pixmaps/htop.png" },
}

app_menu.system = {
    { "Lock Screen", "xscreensaver-command -lock" },
    { "Logout", function() awesome.quit() end },
    { "Reboot", "sudo reboot" },
    { "Shutdown", "sudo poweroff" },
}

app_menu.main = awful.menu({
    items = {
        { "Applications", app_menu.applications },
        { "System", app_menu.system },
        { "Awesome", {
            { "Restart", awesome.restart },
            { "Quit", function() awesome.quit() end }
        }},
    }
})

return app_menu
EOF

# Exit back to root
exit

echo "🎨 Desktop customization completed!"
echo ""
echo "📋 What's configured:"
echo "   ✅ Custom theme with nice colors"
echo "   ✅ Wallpaper support with nitrogen"
echo "   ✅ Better fonts and terminal colors"
echo "   ✅ Application menu system"
echo "   ✅ Autostart services"

You should see:

🎨 Desktop customization completed!

📋 What's configured:
   ✅ Custom theme with nice colors
   ✅ Wallpaper support with nitrogen
   ✅ Better fonts and terminal colors
   ✅ Application menu system
   ✅ Autostart services

Awesome work! 🌟

📊 Quick Summary Table

🔒 Step 3: Advanced Awesome Customization

🎨 Adding Widgets and Enhancements

Let’s add some cool widgets and make Awesome even more awesome! 📚

What we’re doing: Adding system information widgets and advanced customization.

# Switch to awesome user
su - awesomeuser

# Install lain widget library
apk add awesome-lain

# Create advanced configuration with widgets
cat > ~/.config/awesome/widgets/system_info.lua << 'EOF'
-- System Information Widgets for Awesome

local wibox = require("wibox")
local awful = require("awful")
local gears = require("gears")
local beautiful = require("beautiful")

local system_info = {}

-- CPU Widget
system_info.cpu = wibox.widget {
    {
        {
            text = "CPU",
            widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
        },
        {
            id = "cpu_bar",
            max_value = 100,
            value = 0,
            thickness = 3,
            start_angle = 0,
            bg = beautiful.bg_normal,
            paddings = 2,
            widget = wibox.container.arcchart,
        },
        {
            id = "cpu_text",
            text = "0%",
            widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
        },
        layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
    },
    widget = wibox.container.margin,
    margins = 2,
}

-- Memory Widget
system_info.memory = wibox.widget {
    {
        {
            text = "MEM",
            widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
        },
        {
            id = "mem_bar",
            max_value = 100,
            value = 0,
            thickness = 3,
            start_angle = 0,
            bg = beautiful.bg_normal,
            paddings = 2,
            widget = wibox.container.arcchart,
        },
        {
            id = "mem_text",
            text = "0%",
            widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
        },
        layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
    },
    widget = wibox.container.margin,
    margins = 2,
}

-- Network Widget
system_info.network = wibox.widget {
    {
        text = "NET",
        widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
    },
    {
        id = "net_text",
        text = "0KB/s",
        widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
    },
    layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
}

-- Battery Widget (if available)
system_info.battery = wibox.widget {
    {
        text = "BAT",
        widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
    },
    {
        id = "bat_bar",
        max_value = 100,
        value = 50,
        thickness = 3,
        start_angle = 0,
        bg = beautiful.bg_normal,
        paddings = 2,
        widget = wibox.container.arcchart,
    },
    {
        id = "bat_text",
        text = "50%",
        widget = wibox.widget.textbox,
    },
    layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
}

-- Update functions
local function update_cpu()
    awful.spawn.easy_async("sh -c \"grep 'cpu ' /proc/stat | awk '{usage=($2+$4)*100/($2+$3+$4)} END {print int(usage)}'\"", function(stdout)
        local cpu_usage = tonumber(stdout) or 0
        system_info.cpu:get_children()[1]:get_children()[2]:set_value(cpu_usage)
        system_info.cpu:get_children()[1]:get_children()[3]:set_text(cpu_usage .. "%")
    end)
end

local function update_memory()
    awful.spawn.easy_async("sh -c \"free | grep Mem | awk '{printf \"%.0f\", $3/$2 * 100.0}'\"", function(stdout)
        local mem_usage = tonumber(stdout) or 0
        system_info.memory:get_children()[1]:get_children()[2]:set_value(mem_usage)
        system_info.memory:get_children()[1]:get_children()[3]:set_text(mem_usage .. "%")
    end)
end

local function update_network()
    awful.spawn.easy_async("sh -c \"cat /proc/net/dev | grep eth0 | awk '{print $2}' | head -1\"", function(stdout)
        local bytes = tonumber(stdout) or 0
        local kb = math.floor(bytes / 1024)
        system_info.network:get_children()[2]:set_text(kb .. "KB/s")
    end)
end

local function update_battery()
    awful.spawn.easy_async("sh -c \"cat /sys/class/power_supply/BAT*/capacity 2>/dev/null | head -1\"", function(stdout)
        local battery = tonumber(stdout)
        if battery then
            system_info.battery:get_children()[2]:set_value(battery)
            system_info.battery:get_children()[3]:set_text(battery .. "%")
        end
    end)
end

-- Update timers
gears.timer {
    timeout = 2,
    call_now = true,
    autostart = true,
    callback = function()
        update_cpu()
        update_memory()
        update_network()
        update_battery()
    end
}

return system_info
EOF

# Create enhanced Awesome configuration with widgets
cat > ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua << 'EOF'
-- Enhanced Awesome Window Manager Configuration
-- With system information widgets

pcall(require, "luarocks.loader")

local gears = require("gears")
local awful = require("awful")
require("awful.autofocus")
local wibox = require("wibox")
local beautiful = require("beautiful")
local naughty = require("naughty")
local hotkeys_popup = require("awful.hotkeys_popup")
require("awful.hotkeys_popup.keys")

-- Load custom widgets
local system_info = require("widgets.system_info")

-- Error handling
if awesome.startup_errors then
    naughty.notify({ preset = naughty.config.presets.critical,
                     title = "Oops, there were errors during startup!",
                     text = awesome.startup_errors })
end

do
    local in_error = false
    awesome.connect_signal("debug::error", function (err)
        if in_error then return end
        in_error = true
        naughty.notify({ preset = naughty.config.presets.critical,
                         title = "Oops, an error happened!",
                         text = tostring(err) })
        in_error = false
    end)
end

-- Variable definitions
beautiful.init(gears.filesystem.get_configuration_dir() .. "themes/custom/theme.lua")

terminal = "xterm"
editor = os.getenv("EDITOR") or "vi"
editor_cmd = terminal .. " -e " .. editor
modkey = "Mod4"

-- Layouts
awful.layout.layouts = {
    awful.layout.suit.floating,
    awful.layout.suit.tile,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.left,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.bottom,
    awful.layout.suit.tile.top,
    awful.layout.suit.fair,
    awful.layout.suit.fair.horizontal,
    awful.layout.suit.spiral,
    awful.layout.suit.max,
    awful.layout.suit.max.fullscreen,
}

-- Menu
myawesomemenu = {
   { "Hotkeys", function() hotkeys_popup.show_help(nil, awful.screen.focused()) end },
   { "Manual", terminal .. " -e man awesome" },
   { "Edit config", editor_cmd .. " " .. awesome.conffile },
   { "Restart", awesome.restart },
   { "Quit", function() awesome.quit() end },
}

mymainmenu = awful.menu({ items = { { "Awesome", myawesomemenu, beautiful.awesome_icon },
                                    { "Terminal", terminal },
                                    { "File Manager", "pcmanfm" },
                                  }
                        })

mylauncher = awful.widget.launcher({ image = beautiful.awesome_icon,
                                     menu = mymainmenu })

-- Wibar
mytextclock = wibox.widget.textclock()

local taglist_buttons = gears.table.join(
    awful.button({ }, 1, function(t) t:view_only() end),
    awful.button({ modkey }, 1, function(t)
        if client.focus then
            client.focus:move_to_tag(t)
        end
    end),
    awful.button({ }, 3, awful.tag.viewtoggle)
)

local tasklist_buttons = gears.table.join(
    awful.button({ }, 1, function (c)
        if c == client.focus then
            c.minimized = true
        else
            c:emit_signal("request::activate", "tasklist", {raise = true})
        end
    end),
    awful.button({ }, 3, function()
        awful.menu.client_list({ theme = { width = 250 } })
    end)
)

awful.screen.connect_for_each_screen(function(s)
    -- Wallpaper
    gears.wallpaper.maximized(gears.filesystem.get_configuration_dir() .. "../Pictures/Wallpapers/mountain.jpg", s, true)

    -- Tags
    awful.tag({ "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" }, s, awful.layout.layouts[1])

    -- Widgets
    s.mypromptbox = awful.widget.prompt()
    s.mylayoutbox = awful.widget.layoutbox(s)
    s.mylayoutbox:buttons(gears.table.join(
        awful.button({ }, 1, function () awful.layout.inc( 1) end),
        awful.button({ }, 3, function () awful.layout.inc(-1) end)
    ))

    s.mytaglist = awful.widget.taglist {
        screen  = s,
        filter  = awful.widget.taglist.filter.all,
        buttons = taglist_buttons
    }

    s.mytasklist = awful.widget.tasklist {
        screen  = s,
        filter  = awful.widget.tasklist.filter.currenttags,
        buttons = tasklist_buttons
    }

    -- Wibox
    s.mywibox = awful.wibar({ position = "top", screen = s })

    s.mywibox:setup {
        layout = wibox.layout.align.horizontal,
        {
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
            mylauncher,
            s.mytaglist,
            s.mypromptbox,
        },
        s.mytasklist,
        {
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal,
            system_info.cpu,
            system_info.memory,
            system_info.network,
            system_info.battery,
            wibox.widget.systray(),
            mytextclock,
            s.mylayoutbox,
        },
    }
end)

-- Key bindings
globalkeys = gears.table.join(
    -- Awesome
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "s",      hotkeys_popup.show_help,
              {description="show help", group="awesome"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "r", awesome.restart,
              {description = "reload awesome", group = "awesome"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "q", awesome.quit,
              {description = "quit awesome", group = "awesome"}),

    -- Tags
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Left",   awful.tag.viewprev,
              {description = "view previous", group = "tag"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Right",  awful.tag.viewnext,
              {description = "view next", group = "tag"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Escape", awful.tag.history.restore,
              {description = "go back", group = "tag"}),

    -- Client focus
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "j", function () awful.client.focus.byidx( 1) end,
              {description = "focus next by index", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "k", function () awful.client.focus.byidx(-1) end,
              {description = "focus previous by index", group = "client"}),

    -- Layout manipulation
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "j", function () awful.client.swap.byidx(  1)    end,
              {description = "swap with next client by index", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "k", function () awful.client.swap.byidx( -1)    end,
              {description = "swap with previous client by index", group = "client"}),

    -- Standard programs
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "Return", function () awful.spawn(terminal) end,
              {description = "open a terminal", group = "launcher"}),

    -- Layout control
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "l", function () awful.tag.incmwfact( 0.05) end,
              {description = "increase master width factor", group = "layout"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "h", function () awful.tag.incmwfact(-0.05) end,
              {description = "decrease master width factor", group = "layout"}),

    -- Launchers
    awful.key({ modkey },            "r", function () awful.screen.focused().mypromptbox:run() end,
              {description = "run prompt", group = "launcher"}),
    awful.key({ modkey },            "p", function () awful.spawn("dmenu_run") end,
              {description = "run dmenu", group = "launcher"}),
    awful.key({ modkey },            "f", function () awful.spawn("pcmanfm") end,
              {description = "run file manager", group = "launcher"}),

    -- Screenshots
    awful.key({ }, "Print", function () awful.spawn("scrot -e 'mv $f ~/Pictures/'") end,
              {description = "take screenshot", group = "screenshot"}),
    awful.key({ "Shift" }, "Print", function () awful.spawn("scrot -s -e 'mv $f ~/Pictures/'") end,
              {description = "take area screenshot", group = "screenshot"}),

    -- Volume control
    awful.key({ }, "XF86AudioRaiseVolume", function () awful.spawn("amixer sset Master 5%+") end,
              {description = "increase volume", group = "audio"}),
    awful.key({ }, "XF86AudioLowerVolume", function () awful.spawn("amixer sset Master 5%-") end,
              {description = "decrease volume", group = "audio"}),
    awful.key({ }, "XF86AudioMute", function () awful.spawn("amixer sset Master toggle") end,
              {description = "toggle mute", group = "audio"})
)

-- Client keys
clientkeys = gears.table.join(
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "f", function (c) c.fullscreen = not c.fullscreen; c:raise() end,
              {description = "toggle fullscreen", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "c", function (c) c:kill() end,
              {description = "close", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "space", awful.client.floating.toggle,
              {description = "toggle floating", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "Return", function (c) c:swap(awful.client.getmaster()) end,
              {description = "move to master", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "o", function (c) c:move_to_screen() end,
              {description = "move to screen", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "t", function (c) c.ontop = not c.ontop end,
              {description = "toggle keep on top", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "n", function (c) c.minimized = true end,
              {description = "minimize", group = "client"}),
    awful.key({ modkey,           }, "m", function (c) c.maximized = not c.maximized; c:raise() end,
              {description = "(un)maximize", group = "client"})
)

-- Bind all key numbers to tags
for i = 1, 9 do
    globalkeys = gears.table.join(globalkeys,
        awful.key({ modkey }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                        local screen = awful.screen.focused()
                        local tag = screen.tags[i]
                        if tag then
                           tag:view_only()
                        end
                  end,
                  {description = "view tag #"..i, group = "tag"}),
        awful.key({ modkey, "Shift" }, "#" .. i + 9,
                  function ()
                      if client.focus then
                          local tag = client.focus.screen.tags[i]
                          if tag then
                              client.focus:move_to_tag(tag)
                          end
                     end
                  end,
                  {description = "move focused client to tag #"..i, group = "tag"})
    )
end

clientbuttons = gears.table.join(
    awful.button({ }, 1, function (c)
        c:emit_signal("request::activate", "mouse_click", {raise = true})
    end),
    awful.button({ modkey }, 1, function (c)
        c:emit_signal("request::activate", "mouse_click", {raise = true})
        awful.mouse.client.move(c)
    end),
    awful.button({ modkey }, 3, function (c)
        c:emit_signal("request::activate", "mouse_click", {raise = true})
        awful.mouse.client.resize(c)
    end)
)

-- Set keys
root.keys(globalkeys)

-- Rules
awful.rules.rules = {
    {
        rule = { },
        properties = {
            border_width = beautiful.border_width,
            border_color = beautiful.border_normal,
            focus = awful.client.focus.filter,
            raise = true,
            keys = clientkeys,
            buttons = clientbuttons,
            screen = awful.screen.preferred,
            placement = awful.placement.no_overlap+awful.placement.no_offscreen
        }
    },
    {
        rule_any = {
            instance = { "pinentry" },
            class = { "Arandr", "Blueman-manager", "Gpick", "Kruler", "Sxiv", "Wpa_gui" },
            name = { "Event Tester" },
            role = { "AlarmWindow", "ConfigManager", "pop-up" }
        },
        properties = { floating = true }
    },
    {
        rule_any = { type = { "normal", "dialog" } },
        properties = { titlebars_enabled = true }
    },
}

-- Signals
client.connect_signal("manage", function (c)
    if awesome.startup and not c.size_hints.user_position and not c.size_hints.program_position then
        awful.placement.no_offscreen(c)
    end
end)

client.connect_signal("request::titlebars", function(c)
    local buttons = gears.table.join(
        awful.button({ }, 1, function()
            c:emit_signal("request::activate", "titlebar", {raise = true})
            awful.mouse.client.move(c)
        end),
        awful.button({ }, 3, function()
            c:emit_signal("request::activate", "titlebar", {raise = true})
            awful.mouse.client.resize(c)
        end)
    )

    awful.titlebar(c) : setup {
        {
            awful.titlebar.widget.iconwidget(c),
            buttons = buttons,
            layout  = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal
        },
        {
            {
                align  = "center",
                widget = awful.titlebar.widget.titlewidget(c)
            },
            buttons = buttons,
            layout  = wibox.layout.flex.horizontal
        },
        {
            awful.titlebar.widget.floatingbutton (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.maximizedbutton(c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.stickybutton   (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.ontopbutton    (c),
            awful.titlebar.widget.closebutton    (c),
            layout = wibox.layout.fixed.horizontal()
        },
        layout = wibox.layout.align.horizontal
    }
end)

client.connect_signal("mouse::enter", function(c)
    c:emit_signal("request::activate", "mouse_enter", {raise = false})
end)

client.connect_signal("focus", function(c) c.border_color = beautiful.border_focus end)
client.connect_signal("unfocus", function(c) c.border_color = beautiful.border_normal end)

-- Autostart
awful.spawn.with_shell("~/.config/awesome/autostart.sh")
EOF

# Exit back to root
exit

echo "🎨 Advanced Awesome configuration completed!"
echo "📋 New features added:"
echo "   ✅ System information widgets (CPU, Memory, Network)"
echo "   ✅ Enhanced keyboard shortcuts"
echo "   ✅ Volume and screenshot controls"
echo "   ✅ Better window management"
echo "   ✅ Custom theme and colors"

What this does: Transforms Awesome into a feature-rich desktop environment! 📚

🎮 Practice Time!

Let’s practice what you learned! Try these simple examples:

Example 1: Awesome Keybinding Helper 🟢

What we’re doing: Creating a cheat sheet for Awesome keyboard shortcuts.

# Create keybinding helper script
cat > /opt/awesome-keys.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/sh
echo "🪟 Awesome Window Manager - Key Bindings Cheat Sheet"
echo "=================================================="
echo ""
echo "🎯 BASIC NAVIGATION:"
echo "   Mod4 + Return      Open terminal"
echo "   Mod4 + p           Open application launcher (dmenu)"
echo "   Mod4 + f           Open file manager"
echo "   Mod4 + s           Show help/hotkeys"
echo ""
echo "🏷️  WORKSPACE MANAGEMENT:"
echo "   Mod4 + 1-9         Switch to workspace 1-9"
echo "   Mod4 + Shift + 1-9 Move window to workspace 1-9"
echo "   Mod4 + Left/Right  Previous/Next workspace"
echo ""
echo "🪟 WINDOW MANAGEMENT:"
echo "   Mod4 + j/k         Focus next/previous window"
echo "   Mod4 + Shift + j/k Swap with next/previous window"
echo "   Mod4 + h/l         Resize master area"
echo "   Mod4 + m           Maximize window"
echo "   Mod4 + f           Fullscreen toggle"
echo "   Mod4 + Shift + c   Close window"
echo ""
echo "🎛️  LAYOUT CONTROL:"
echo "   Mod4 + Space       Next layout"
echo "   Mod4 + Shift + Space Previous layout"
echo "   Mod4 + Ctrl + Space Toggle floating"
echo ""
echo "🔧 SYSTEM CONTROLS:"
echo "   Mod4 + Ctrl + r    Restart Awesome"
echo "   Mod4 + Shift + q   Quit Awesome"
echo "   Print              Take screenshot"
echo "   Shift + Print      Take area screenshot"
echo ""
echo "🔊 AUDIO CONTROLS:"
echo "   XF86AudioRaiseVolume  Volume up"
echo "   XF86AudioLowerVolume  Volume down"
echo "   XF86AudioMute         Toggle mute"
echo ""
echo "💡 TIPS:"
echo "   - Mod4 is usually the Windows key"
echo "   - Right-click on desktop for menu"
echo "   - Middle-click on titlebar to close window"
echo "   - Awesome automatically tiles windows"
echo ""
echo "📖 For more help: Mod4 + s or 'man awesome'"
EOF

chmod +x /opt/awesome-keys.sh

echo "🗝️  Keybinding cheat sheet created!"
echo "Usage: /opt/awesome-keys.sh"

What this does: Creates a handy reference for all Awesome shortcuts! 🌟

Example 2: Desktop Environment Switcher 🟡

What we’re doing: Creating a script to switch between different desktop environments.

# Create desktop switcher script
cat > /opt/desktop-switcher.sh << 'EOF'
#!/bin/sh
echo "🖥️  Desktop Environment Switcher"
echo "==============================="
echo ""

USER_HOME="/home/awesomeuser"

echo "Available desktop environments:"
echo "1) Awesome Window Manager (tiling)"
echo "2) Basic X11 session (minimal)"
echo "3) Console only (no GUI)"
echo ""

read -p "Choose desktop environment (1-3): " choice

case $choice in
    1)
        echo "🪟 Setting up Awesome Window Manager..."
        cat > "$USER_HOME/.xinitrc" << 'XINIT'
#!/bin/sh
xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources 2>/dev/null
setxkbmap us
exec awesome
XINIT
        echo "✅ Awesome configured"
        echo "   Start with: startx (as awesomeuser)"
        ;;
    2)
        echo "🖥️  Setting up basic X11 session..."
        cat > "$USER_HOME/.xinitrc" << 'XINIT'
#!/bin/sh
xrdb -merge ~/.Xresources 2>/dev/null
setxkbmap us
xterm &
exec xterm
XINIT
        echo "✅ Basic X11 configured"
        echo "   Start with: startx (as awesomeuser)"
        ;;
    3)
        echo "💻 Setting up console-only mode..."
        echo "   No .xinitrc needed for console mode"
        echo "✅ Console mode ready"
        echo "   Login normally without startx"
        ;;
    *)
        echo "❌ Invalid choice. Please run script again."
        exit 1
        ;;
esac

echo ""
echo "📋 Desktop configuration updated!"
echo ""
echo "🚀 To switch:"
echo "   1. Login as awesomeuser"
echo "   2. Run 'startx' (for GUI modes)"
echo "   3. Or just use console (for console mode)"
echo ""
echo "💡 Tip: You can run this script anytime to switch"
EOF

chmod +x /opt/desktop-switcher.sh

echo "🖥️  Desktop switcher created!"
echo "Usage: /opt/desktop-switcher.sh"

What this does: Lets you easily switch between different desktop setups! 📚

🚨 Fix Common Problems

Problem 1: Awesome won’t start ❌

What happened: X11 fails to start Awesome window manager. How to fix it: Check configuration and display setup!

# Check X11 logs
tail -20 /var/log/Xorg.0.log

# Test Awesome configuration
su - awesomeuser -c "awesome -k"

# Check if user can access X11
su - awesomeuser -c "xauth list"

# Reset Awesome configuration to default
su - awesomeuser -c "cp /etc/xdg/awesome/rc.lua ~/.config/awesome/"

# Start X11 in debug mode
su - awesomeuser -c "startx -- -verbose"

Problem 2: No audio or graphics ❌

What happened: Desktop starts but audio/graphics don’t work. How to fix it: Check drivers and services!

# Check audio system
rc-service pulseaudio status
alsamixer

# Check graphics drivers
lsmod | grep -i video
dmesg | grep -i drm

# Install additional drivers if needed
apk add mesa-dri-gallium
apk add alsa-plugins-pulse

# Restart services
rc-service alsa restart

Don’t worry! Desktop issues are usually configuration or driver problems that are easy to fix! 💪

💡 Simple Tips

1. Learn shortcuts 📅 - Awesome is all about keyboard efficiency
2. Customize gradually 🌱 - Start simple, add features as you learn
3. Backup configs 🤝 - Save working configurations before major changes
4. Join community 💪 - Awesome has great documentation and forums

✅ Check Everything Works

Let’s make sure your Awesome desktop is working perfectly:

# Test Awesome configuration
su - awesomeuser -c "awesome -k" && echo "✅ Awesome config valid"

# Check X11 setup
ls -la /usr/bin/startx && echo "✅ X11 available"

# Check desktop user
id awesomeuser && echo "✅ Desktop user exists"

# Check essential applications
which dmenu && echo "✅ Application launcher available"
which pcmanfm && echo "✅ File manager available"

# Check configuration files
su - awesomeuser -c "ls -la ~/.config/awesome/rc.lua" && echo "✅ Awesome config exists"

echo "🪟 Awesome Window Manager is ready! ✅"

Good output:

✅ Awesome config valid
✅ X11 available
✅ Desktop user exists
✅ Application launcher available
✅ File manager available
✅ Awesome config exists
🪟 Awesome Window Manager is ready! ✅

🏆 What You Learned

Great job! Now you can:

• ✅ Install and configure Awesome window manager on Alpine Linux
• ✅ Set up a complete desktop environment with applications
• ✅ Customize themes, widgets, and keyboard shortcuts
• ✅ Manage windows efficiently with tiling layouts

🎯 What’s Next?

Now you can try:

• 📚 Learning advanced Awesome configuration and scripting
• 🛠️ Setting up development environments in Awesome
• 🤝 Exploring other window managers like i3 or bspwm
• 🌟 Creating custom widgets and desktop automation!

Remember: Window managers make you super productive! You’re building an efficient workspace! 🎉

Keep practicing and you’ll become a desktop power user too! 💫