Managing Your Workspaces in Manjaro Linux
Manjaro, a user-friendly and powerful Linux distribution, offers a flexible and efficient way to manage multiple workspaces. Workspaces, also known as virtual desktops, allow you to organize your applications and windows into distinct groups, enhancing productivity and minimizing clutter. This guide will explore the basics of creating, switching between, and customizing workspaces in Manjaro Linux.
Why Use Workspaces?
Imagine you're working on a project with multiple open applications - a web browser for research, a code editor for development, and a terminal for testing. Instead of having all these windows crammed onto one screen, you can utilize workspaces to separate them. This allows you to focus on one task at a time without the distraction of other windows.
Setting Up Your Workspaces
Manjaro comes with the popular KDE Plasma desktop environment, which provides a seamless and intuitive way to manage workspaces. By default, KDE Plasma offers four workspaces, but you can easily modify this to suit your needs.
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Accessing the Workspace Manager:
- Click the "Activities" button (the one that looks like four squares) in the bottom left corner of your screen.
- Hover over the "Workspaces" option. You'll see a visual representation of your current workspace and thumbnails of others.
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Creating a New Workspace:
- Click the "Add workspace" button, which looks like a plus sign.
- This will create a new workspace. You can customize the number of workspaces in the System Settings > Workspace Behavior panel.
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Switching Between Workspaces:
- Click on the desired workspace thumbnail to instantly switch to it.
- Use the "Alt+Tab" keyboard shortcut to cycle through your open applications, even across different workspaces.
- Keyboard Shortcuts for Switching:
- Alt+Right/Left: Switches to the next/previous workspace.
- Ctrl+Shift+Right/Left: Moves the current window to the next/previous workspace.
Organizing Applications on Workspaces
Now that you've set up your workspaces, it's time to organize your applications.
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Move Windows Between Workspaces:
- Right-click on the title bar of the window you want to move.
- Select the "Move to workspace" option and choose the desired workspace.
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Assign Default Applications to Workspaces:
- Right-click on an application icon in the "Activities" menu.
- Select "Configure Application Shortcuts" and set a specific workspace for the application.
Customization and Advanced Features
Manjaro provides a plethora of customization options for your workspaces:
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Workspace Names and Icons:
- Right-click on a workspace thumbnail and choose "Configure Workspace."
- Rename your workspace to make it more descriptive.
- Assign custom icons to different workspaces for easier identification.
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Workspace Backgrounds:
- Right-click on an empty area of your desktop and select "Set Desktop Background."
- Choose different backgrounds for each workspace.
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Virtual Keyboard Shortcuts:
- Press "Alt+Shift+F1" to view all available keyboard shortcuts.
- Customize shortcuts for workspace switching, application management, and other tasks.
Tips for Workspace Management:
- Assign specific tasks or applications to each workspace. For example, workspace 1 for browsing, workspace 2 for coding, and workspace 3 for communication.
- Use workspace thumbnails to quickly visualize your workspace setup.
- Experiment with different keyboard shortcuts to find what works best for you.
- Remember that you can always add or remove workspaces to meet your changing needs.
Conclusion
Workspaces in Manjaro Linux offer a powerful and efficient way to manage your applications and improve productivity. By mastering the art of workspace management, you can streamline your workflow, minimize distractions, and focus on completing tasks effectively. Start exploring and customizing workspaces in your Manjaro installation today.