Shell functions to set XFCE's window manager to i3 or built-in xfwm.

xfce-wm-switcher.sh

#!/bin/bash

#. Use i3wm
use-i3wm() {
	# NOTE: specifies an i3 configuration tailored for XFCE. ie do not to run 
	# some daemons and bar as needed by a standalone i3 setup.
	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client0_Command \
		--type string --set i3 \
		--type string --set '-c' \
		--type string --set "$HOME/.config/i3/xfce-de-config" \
		--force-array

	# xfce4-panel checks to see if xfwm is running and is slow to start with i3. 
	# `--disable-wm-check` helps but the real fix is to start a GUI app when i3
	# first starts. I start neofetch as a welcome screen.
	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client2_Command \
		--type string --set 'xfce4-panel' \
		--type string --set '--disable-wm-check' \
		--force-array

	# Cannot use xfdesktop :( Nitrogen sets the wallpaper.
	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client4_Command \
		--type string --set nitrogen \
		--type string --set '--restore' \
		--force-array
}

#. Use/restore xfwm
use-xfwm() {
	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client0_Command \
		--type string --set xfwm4 \
		--force-array

	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client2_Command \
		--type string --set 'xfce4-panel' \
		--force-array

	xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
		--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client4_Command \
		--type string --set xfdesktop \
		--force-array

}

#. Query wm values
query-wm() {
	for i in 0 2 4; do
		echo ""
		echo Client${i}_Command
		xfconf-query --channel xfce4-session \
			--property /sessions/Failsafe/Client${i}_Command \
			-v
	done
}

query-wm