fvwm3, fvwm

About

This is a Fvwm 3 configuration intended to:

• Make Fvwm behave like a normal wm by default.
• Make it easy for even a beginner to customize Fvwm.
• Switch between themes in an easy way.
• Showcase a variety of panels and other Fvwm functionality.
• Improve game compatibility. (No titlebars where they shouldn't be or fullscreen issues).

Default look

Theme: fvwm-slate | Modules: floating-buttons (clock, pager, sunclock, media buttons, cpu, memory, tray, window list).

Themes

There are over 50 themes included. Among them are:
KDE 1, Windows, Macintosh, NextStep, Window Maker, OS/2 Warp 3 and 4, Plan 9, 2bwm, dwm, various UNIX (OpenVMS, Solaris, ...), Ko-Window, SX-Window, FM Towns, and more.

Module Examples

slide-panel: Dark panel from an earlier setup. (pager, cava, media buttons, sunclock, clock)
slide-toolbar: Simple slidable toolbar example.
movable-bar: A panel that can be moved around using a handle.

Slide panels can be toggled using Super+p or pressing the triangle button on the right.

Sunclock

Inspired by the "sunclock" program. There are 10 sunclock variations. Edit "modules/sunclock/module" to select a style.

Desktop Scroll

Load "desktop-scroll" to enable desktop scrolling. By default you can scroll using the scroll wheel on the desktop.
"drag-to-scroll" enables you to click and drag on the desktop to pan around. (Use Alt+F1 to open the root menu).
"scroll-with-pointer" scrolls when the pointer touches a screen edge.

Install

Move the contents of "fvwm" into ~/.fvwm
(No other configuration is needed.)

Dependencies

Recommended: stalonetray cava xosview
Extra: playerctl brightnessctl pactl
Useful: pasystray nm-applet hsetroot feh picom

Tested on:
Debian 13, fvwm3 1.1.2
Debian sid (2026-09-17), fvwm3 1.1.5
OpenBSD 7.9, fvwm3 1.1.0

Notice

Keep in mind "wm-icons" and the Fvwm 3 icons are GPLv2 licensed.
This is an unofficial fan project and is not associated with or endorsed by any company or product referenced by the project.
AI was used to create the "generate-theme-menu" script. See readme.txt for further details.

If you wish to collaborate, send me a message on CustoDesk. I may include themes in a "Contributed" category, modules or other suggestions.

Download

Fvwm3-Starter-kit.zip (2.63 MB)