🎨 Customize Void Linux with Polybar, PulseAudio, pavucontrol, nm-applet, NetworkManager, i3, and feh

Turn your Void Linux setup into a personalized masterpiece! In this tutorial, we’ll guide you through installing and configuring essential tools for a polished, productive, and eye-catching system.

🎯 What We’re Setting Up

1. 
   Polybar: A sleek, customizable status bar.
   


2. 
   PulseAudio and pavucontrol: Sound management made simple.
   


3. 
   nm-applet and NetworkManager: A graphical tool for network connections.
   


4. 
   i3 Window Manager: Lightweight and tiling for power users.
   


5. 
   feh: Set and manage your wallpaper effortlessly.
   

🛠️ Prerequisites

• A running Void Linux installation.
  


• A terminal and root access.
  

🌟 Step 1: Install Required Packages

Update your package index:

sudo xbps-install -Syu

Install i3

sudo xbps-install -S i3

Install Polybar

sudo xbps-install -S polybar

Install PulseAudio and pavucontrol

sudo xbps-install -S pulseaudio pavucontrol

Install nm-applet and NetworkManager

sudo xbps-install -S network-manager-applet NetworkManager

Install feh

sudo xbps-install -S feh

⚙️ Step 2: Configure NetworkManager

Enable and start NetworkManager:

sudo ln -s /etc/sv/NetworkManager /var/service

Check if it's running:

sudo sv status NetworkManager

🎵 Step 3: Configure PulseAudio and Sound Control

Enable PulseAudio by adding the following to your .xinitrc (if you use startx):

pulseaudio --start &

Launch pavucontrol from your terminal or bind it to a key in your i3 config:

pavucontrol

📐 Step 4: Configure i3

Generate a Default Config

If you haven’t already, generate an i3 config file:

mkdir -p ~/.config/i3

cp /etc/i3/config ~/.config/i3/config

Add Startup Applications

Edit ~/.config/i3/config to autostart your tools:

exec --no-startup-id nm-applet &

exec --no-startup-id pulseaudio --start &

exec --no-startup-id feh --bg-scale ~/Pictures/wallpaper.jpg

exec --no-startup-id ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh

🖼️ Step 5: Set Up feh for Wallpapers

Place your desired wallpaper in ~/Pictures/.

Set it as your background:

feh --bg-scale ~/Pictures/wallpaper.jpg

Make this persistent by adding the command to your i3 config (as shown above).

📊 Step 6: Configure Polybar

Create a Configuration File

Generate the default Polybar config:

mkdir -p ~/.config/polybar

cp /usr/share/doc/polybar/config ~/.config/polybar/config

Launch Polybar

1. Create a launch script:
   

   nano ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh

Add:

   #!/bin/bash

   killall -q polybar

   polybar mybar &

1. Make it executable:
   

   chmod +x ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh

1. Run the script:
   

   ~/.config/polybar/launch.sh

🎨 Step 7: Personalize Polybar

Edit the ~/.config/polybar/config file to customize your bar. For example, add a volume module:

[module/volume]

type = internal/volume

format-volume = " %percentage%%"

format-muted = " Muted"

🚀 Step 8: Test Your Setup

1. Restart i3 with:
   

   $mod+Shift+R

1. Verify:
   
   
   
   
   • 
     i3 loads with your wallpaper.
     
   
   
   • 
     Polybar displays correctly.
     
   
   
   • 
     nm-applet appears in the tray.
     
   
   
   • 
     pavucontrol manages sound.
   
   
   
   

🎨 Final Touch: Make It Yours!

• Experiment with i3 keybindings for productivity.
  


• Customize Polybar themes from Polybar Themes GitHub.
  


• Add modules for CPU, RAM, weather, or anything you fancy!
  

Enjoy your fully customized Void Linux environment! 🌌