How to Setup and Configure Rofi (The Best App Launcher)

Summary

This video provides an in-depth guide on using Rofi, a lightweight and customizable application launcher, for users in tiling window manager environments. The tutorial covers installation, configuration, and various features such as window switching, emoji selection, and dmenu replacement. The host compares Rofi to dmenu, explaining why they prefer Rofi for its ease of use and better customization. It also explores Rofi's theming options and provides insights on creating a personalized setup, making it a useful tool for anyone looking to enhance their desktop experience with a functional launcher.

Takeaways

• 😀 Rofi is a lightweight application launcher that is highly customizable and easy to set up, ideal for tiling window managers.
• 😀 Rofi can do much more than launch applications, including acting as a window selector (similar to Alt+Tab), an emoji picker, and even a calculator.
• 😀 Rofi is often compared to Dmenu, with the main difference being that Rofi is easier to configure and has better documentation, while Dmenu requires more customization and source code adjustments.
• 😀 You can install Rofi from official repositories (e.g., using Pacman on Arch Linux). To run it, you simply use the command `rofi -show run`.
• 😀 Rofi offers multiple modes, including `run`, `window`, `ssh`, `file browser`, and even a Dmenu replacement mode for scripts.
• 😀 The `d-run` mode in Rofi filters out unnecessary commands and only shows the applications with a desktop file, making it more useful than the default `run` mode.
• 😀 Rofi can be customized to show the most used applications at the top, and you can remove an item from the history by pressing Shift+Delete.
• 😀 The configuration file for Rofi is typically located in `~/.config/rofi/config.rasi`, and you can modify it to change various settings like font, theme, and icons.
• 😀 Rofi offers pre-built themes, but they are not always ideal, so it's recommended to start with one of these themes and then customize it further.
• 😀 Theming in Rofi uses CSS-like syntax and allows for deep customization of colors, fonts, layout, and individual elements like the input bar, list view, and selected items.
• 😀 Rofi's flexibility allows it to be used for various purposes, such as a window manager, application launcher, script menu, or even a file browser, making it a versatile tool for Linux users.

Q & A

What is Rofi, and how does it differ from a traditional application launcher?

Rofi is a lightweight, highly configurable application launcher primarily used in tiling window managers. Unlike traditional application launchers with built-in interfaces, Rofi provides a customizable experience where users can set up various modes like application launching, window switching, and even an emoji picker. It is known for its simplicity and flexibility compared to other launchers like dmenu.

How does Rofi function as a window switcher?

Rofi can function as a window switcher, similar to an 'Alt+Tab' feature, in tiling window managers. It allows users to switch between different windows across multiple desktops or workspaces by displaying all open windows in a list format, making it easier to manage multiple applications.

Why does the speaker prefer Rofi over dmenu?

The speaker prefers Rofi over dmenu because Rofi is easier to configure, more user-friendly, and offers better customization options. While dmenu is popular, it requires extensive patching and tinkering with source code for advanced features. Rofi, on the other hand, provides a smoother, more intuitive setup with robust features out of the box.

What is the difference between running Rofi in 'run' mode and 'd-run' mode?

In 'run' mode, Rofi displays all runnable commands available in your system’s PATH variable, including a lot of unnecessary system commands. In 'd-run' mode, Rofi filters this list to only show applications that have a desktop file, making it a cleaner and more focused list of applications that can be launched.

How does Rofi improve the user experience when selecting applications?

Rofi improves user experience by displaying the most frequently used applications at the top of the list. It also supports searching by description, allowing users to quickly find the app they are looking for even if they don’t remember the exact name.

What feature does Rofi offer for managing window layouts in a tiling window manager?

Rofi offers a window management feature that allows users to quickly switch between windows on different desktops or workspaces. This can be especially useful for users of tiling window managers who miss the traditional 'Alt+Tab' functionality found in other desktop environments.

How can Rofi be used as a replacement for dmenu in bash scripts?

Rofi can be used as a drop-in replacement for dmenu by piping a list of options, such as fonts or other data, into Rofi with the '-dmenu' flag. This enables Rofi to display a menu of choices just like dmenu, with the added benefit of Rofi's easier configuration and more visually appealing interface.

What are some of the additional functionalities Rofi supports beyond launching applications?

Beyond application launching, Rofi supports several additional functionalities, such as serving as a window selector, an emoji picker, a file browser, and even a calculator. It also supports SSH session management and keybinding selection.

How does Rofi's configuration system work?

Rofi’s configuration system is similar to CSS, where users can define settings for the interface, such as colors, fonts, and layout. Custom themes can be applied by editing configuration files, and users can tweak various elements such as background color, borders, and margins to suit their preferences.

What is the significance of using transparency and blur effects in Rofi, and how can they be configured?

Rofi allows users to set a transparent background by using an alpha value in the configuration. The transparency effect relies on having a compositor like Compton or Picom running. Additionally, users can apply blur effects to the background, giving Rofi a more aesthetically pleasing and modern look.