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Server Sway Dots

Minimal black Sway configuration made for servers/server laptops.

I don’t recommend using it for normal use, but it’s still really lightweight and minimal ram usage.

Features

  • Sway window manager
  • Waybar system monitor bar
  • Foot terminal
  • Fuzzel launcher
  • NetworkManager WiFi support
  • PipeWire audio
  • Volume controls
  • Screen brightness controls
  • Bluetooth support
  • Minimal dark theme

Other Info

In ~/.config/sway/config there is a comment # kb layout, default is us if u want for example czech keyboard u change us to cz or other. Mouse acceleration is off by default and the speed is set by me, u can set it however u want and on top there there is a line that says something waybar right should say like battery, or something, if ur a desktop user u can remove it.

Reloading Sway

SUPER + SHIFT + E - Log out to login manager sway reload (in terminal) Reloads sway in sway.

Required packages

  • sway
  • waybar
  • foot
  • fuzzel
  • swaylock
  • swayidle
  • dolphin
  • firefox-esr
  • network-manager-gnome
  • pavucontrol
  • playerctl
  • brightnessctl
  • xdg-desktop-portal-wlr
  • pipewire
  • wireplumber
  • blueman
  • zsh

Warning

These dots were used on my laptop, the thinkpad E14 gen 3, and it contains the battery and bluetooth on the waybar. Tutorial how to remove the battery and other laptop features will be in removelaptopfeatures.md

Install on debian or ubuntu based distros (automatic)

git clone https://github.com/lordpipon/server-swaydots.git
cd server-swaydots
chmod +x autoinstall-debian.sh
./autoinstall-debian.sh

Install on arch based distros (automatic)

git clone https://github.com/lordpipon/server-swaydots.git
cd server-swaydots
chmod +x autoinstall-arch.sh
./autoinstall-arch.sh

Uninstall

To uninstall Server Sway Dots, run:

chmod +x uninstall.sh
./uninstall.sh

The uninstall script will remove the Server Sway Dots configuration files and ask you individually if you want to uninstall each package.

For every installed package, you will be asked:

Uninstall sway? [y/N]:

Enter y to uninstall the package or n to keep it.

Important

The uninstall script only removes packages that are currently installed. If you choose to uninstall a package, make sure you don’t need it for anything else on your system.

The configuration files removed by the uninstall script include:

  • ~/.config/sway
  • ~/.config/waybar
  • ~/.config/foot
  • ~/.config/fuzzel

After uninstalling, log out and back in or reboot your system.

Config Files

These files are copied straight from the config/ folder of the server-swaydots repository when the docs are built, so they are always up to date.

Sway

Waybar

Controls

Some default controls (SUPER is the WIN key)

SUPER + SHIFT + E - exit sway/logout

SUPER + Q - exit app

SUPER + W - open default browser (firefox esr)

SUPER + E - open file manager (dolphin)

SUPER + ENTER - open terminal

SUPER + SPACE - open application launcher

SUPER + SHIFT + SPACE - make floating window

SUPER + LMB - drag to move windows

SUPER + RMB - resize windows

Removing Laptop Features

This guide removes laptop-specific features from Server Sway Dots.

Useful for:

  • old laptops used as servers
  • plugged-in 24/7 machines
  • devices without need for battery management
  • headless setups

Disable Battery Notifications

Remove desktop battery warnings:

sudo apt remove power-profiles-daemon upower

Remove battery indicator from waybar

Find ur waybar config with nano

Find: “modules-center”: [ “cpu”, “memory”, “disk”, “network”, “battery”, “custom/uptime” ],

Remove “battery, Save, exit and restart waybar