I use the Solarized color scheme for everything—it's wonderful.
In late 2022, I switched to using macOS only. The Linux config remains here because it still works well, but I have adjusted some files to assume BSD utilities instead of the GNU ones found in most Linux distributions.
MacBook Air (2020): macOS, zsh, nvim, Amethyst, iTerm2
ThinkPad 13 (2017): Arch Linux, zsh, nvim, dwm, st
My setup is carefully chosen.
- It's lightweight, digitally, since I tend to keep my devices for a long time, and physically, since I travel often.
- It maximizes workflow without getting in the way.
- It doesn't change often, because I value high impact work over tinkering all day.
- It uses screen space efficiently since I have small laptops and don't usually use a monitor, instead keeping the laptop on a stand with keyboard and mouse.
Tools should be ambient. It disappears and flows through your actions. You should never need it because it's always at your hands. You should never ignore it because it's never in your way. —Hunor Karamán
For my Linux machine, I use a tiling window manager called dwm. It's mostly stock except for the following patches:
- fullgaps
- I added a shortcut to reset the gaps
- solarized
- This is my own patch that changes a few colors, including dmenu colors, to match Solarized Light
- Font is set to Source Code Pro (though I could probably do this with fontconfig)
- The tag numbers are in CJK characters
- Firefox doesn't stick to the 9th tag
- The default window split is 50/50 instead of 55/45
- Monocle layout is second instead of third
- Keyboard shortcuts for changing brightness ("Windows" key + up/down) and audio (alt + up/down) without having to reach for the multimedia keys
- Keyboard shortcut for locking the screen with slock ("Windows" key + l)
If you’re new to dwm, Dave's Visual Guide to dwm is a great reference.
The typeface in the terminal, status bar, and code editor is Source Code Pro.
I don't use gaps if not using an external monitor. I just did it for the screenshots.
- The ArchWiki is an invaluable reference for all Linux distros, not just Arch.
- Vim is something you’ll encounter a lot in Linux, but it can be confusing. This is my favourite cheatsheet.