Here is a comprehensive README.md file designed to help you and others easily install, configure, and enjoy Sway alongside your existing desktop environments.

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Sway on Debian 13 (Trixie) - A Beginner's Guide

This guide helps beginners install the Sway Window Manager on Debian 13 (Trixie) alongside existing desktop environments like GNOME and Xfce. It also covers how to scale the interface for smaller laptop screens (e.g., 14-inch displays).

🚀 Why Sway?

• Tiling: Automatically arranges windows side-by-side (no more dragging/resizing).
• Lightweight: Uses far fewer resources than GNOME or KDE.
• Wayland-native: Built for modern Linux graphics, replacing the older X11.
• Safe Coexistence: Runs peacefully alongside your current desktops; you choose which one to use at login.

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📦 1. Installation

You don't need to remove anything. We will just add Sway packages.

Step 1: Update your system

Open your terminal and ensure your Debian system is up-to-date:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Step 2: Install Sway and Essentials

This installs the window manager, screen locker, background manager, and idle daemon.

sudo apt install sway swaybg swayidle swaylock foot -y

Step 3: Install Recommended Tools

These make Sway usable for daily tasks (status bar, app menu, file manager, screenshots, etc.).

sudo apt install waybar wofi grim slurp wl-clipboard fonts-font-awesome thunar nwg-look -y

• waybar: Top status bar.
• wofi: Application menu (launcher).
• grim/slurp: Screenshot tools.
• nwg-look: GUI tool to easily change GTK/App themes and font sizes.

Using the Video's Installation Script (Optional)

The video showcases a custom installation script from the creator's Codeberg repository. As a beginner, I recommend starting with the manual installation steps above rather than using automated scripts, as this helps you understand what's being installed. However, if you're interested in the video creator's complete configuration, the script is available at:

bash

git clone https://codeberg.org/justaguylinux/sway-setup
cd sway-setup
chmod +x install.sh
./install.sh

The script installs Sway with pre-configured settings and additional tools (demonstrated from 3:37 to 14:33 in the video https://youtu.be/sKOWqAm70jc).​

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⚙️ 2. Configuration

Sway doesn't have a "settings menu" like GNOME; it uses a simple text file.

Step 1: Create Config Directories

mkdir -p ~/.config/sway
mkdir -p ~/.config/waybar
mkdir -p ~/.config/wofi

Step 2: Copy Default Config

Copy the default configuration to your user folder so you can edit it safely:

cp /etc/sway/config ~/.config/sway/config

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🖥️ 3. Fixing Small Fonts (For 14" Laptops)

If everything looks tiny on your laptop screen, use one of these two methods.

Option A: The "Easy" Global Scale (Recommended)

This acts like a zoom for the entire interface.

1. Open your config file:

   nano ~/.config/sway/config

2. Scroll to the bottom and add this line:

   output * scale 1.2
   

   (Try 1.2, 1.25, or 1.5 depending on your preference.)
3. Save (Ctrl+O, Enter) and Exit (Ctrl+X).
4. Reload Sway with Super+Shift+R (Super is the Windows/Command key).

Option B: The "Manual" Fine-Tuning

If you prefer to just enlarge text without scaling the whole UI:

1. Window Titles: Edit ~/.config/sway/config:

font pango:monospace 11  # Change 8 to 11 or 12

2. Top Bar (Waybar): Edit ~/.config/waybar/style.css (create if missing):

* {
    font-size: 16px;
}

3. App Menu (Wofi): Edit ~/.config/wofi/style.css:

window {
    font-size: 18px;
}

4. GTK Apps (Files, Firefox): Open the nwg-look app you installed earlier and increase the font size there.

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🎮 4. How to Login

1. Log out of your current session (GNOME/Xfce).
2. At the login screen, click your username.
3. Look for a Gear Icon (usually bottom right or top right).
4. Select Sway.
5. Enter your password and login.

To go back, just log out and select GNOME or Xfce again.

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⌨️ 5. Cheat Sheet: Essential Shortcuts

Sway is keyboard-driven. The "Super" key is usually the Windows/Command key.

Action	Shortcut
Open Terminal	Super + Enter
Open App Menu	Super + Space
Close Window	Super + Shift + Q
Reload Config	Super + Shift + R
Exit Sway	Super + Shift + E
Move Focus	Super + Arrow Keys
Move Window	Super + Shift + Arrow Keys
Toggle Fullscreen	Super + F
Layout: Tiled	Super + E
Layout: Tabbed	Super + W

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⚠️ Troubleshooting

• NVIDIA Users: If you have an NVIDIA card and Sway won't start, use the --my-next-gpu-wont-be-nvidia flag (yes, really) or check the Debian Wiki for proprietary driver workarounds.
• Missing Configs: If your bar (Waybar) is missing, copy its default config too:

  cp /etc/xdg/waybar/config ~/.config/waybar/config
  cp /etc/xdg/waybar/style.css ~/.config/waybar/style.css

Enjoy your fast, efficient, and beautiful Linux desktop

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