Basic Usage (StumpWM Manual)

### 1.2 Basic Usage ¶

Once you have StumpWM up and running, the first thing you might want to do is start `emacs`. Type `C-t e`, or in other words `Control + t` followed by `e`. Now perhaps you want an `xterm`. Type `C-t c`. Now you have some programs running.

To see a list of windows StumpWM is managing, type `C-t w`. The highlighted window is the one you’re looking at right now. It’s the focused window.

All of StumpWM’s keys are bound to named commands, which can be executed not only by keys but also from the input bar. Type `C-t ;` to open a command prompt. Now type `time` and press return. Note, `time` can also be called by typing `C-t a`. Throughout this manual you’ll find definitions for commands, functions, and variables. Any command you see in this manual can be executed from the input bar or bound to a key.

At this point you probably want to switch back from your new `xterm` to `emacs`. Type `C-t C-t`. This runs the `other` command. Type it again and you’re back to xterm.

Perhaps you’d like to see `emacs` and `xterm` side-by-side. Type `C-t s`. You have now split the screen into 2 `frames`. For more information see Frames. To switch to the empty frame type `C-t TAB`. Now let’s pull the xterm window into this empty frame. Type `C-t w` for a window listing. Find the `xterm` window. See the number beside it? Type `C-t` followed by `xterm`’s window number.

Another common activity is browsing the internet. Type `C-t !`. The input bar pops up again. You can now run a shell command. Let’s start a web browser: type `firefox` into the input bar and press return.

Unfortunately, `firefox` probably isn’t wide enough because it’s in one of the frames. Type `C-t Q` to remove all frames but the current one and resize it to fit the screen.

For a full list of key bindings, see List of Default Keybindings.