u/IndustryMountain2661

If you're tired of seeing that "void" (black screen) every time you log in, here’s how to fix it properly:

1. The "Dont Use SystemD" Rule

Just kidding... unless? (But seriously, Void uses runit, so we do things manually here).

2. Why your exec feh is failing

Most of the time, i3 tries to load the wallpaper before the X server or the root window is fully ready. You need a small delay.

3. The Solution: The "Sleep & Execute" Script

Don't just put exec feh in your config. Create a dedicated script:

Create the file: nano ~/.set_wallpaper.sh

Add this (with a small delay):

Bash

#!/bin/sh

sleep 1 && feh --bg-fill /path/to/your/wallpaper.jpg &

Make it executable (CRUCIAL):

chmod +x ~/.set_wallpaper.sh

(Make sure it's a file, not a directory! Trust me, it happens).

4. Update your i3 Config

Add this line to ~/.config/i3/config:

Bash

exec_always --no-startup-id ~/.set_wallpaper.sh

Why this works?

sleep 1: Gives the system a heartbeat to breathe before drawing the image.

exec_always: Ensures the wallpaper stays even if you refresh i3 (Mod+Shift+R).