Skip to content

Network Manager

Jump to bottom
ulises-jeremias edited this page Aug 28, 2026 · 7 revisions

🌐 Network Manager Guide

This section provides guidance for managing and configuring your network setup using NetworkManager, with custom dotfiles support.

Tip

Like everything else in this setup, the Network Manager integration is fully customizable. You can configure connections, UI tools, and even define shortcuts or scripts — all managed through your dotfiles and chezmoi.

⚙️ Tools You Can Use

Depending on your preference, you can use either graphical or terminal-based tools for managing networks:

1. nmtui – TUI interface (Text-based User Interface)

nmtui

Use this for:

  • Activating or deactivating connections
  • Connecting to Wi-Fi
  • Setting static IP addresses

2. nmcli – Command-line Interface

nmcli device wifi list
nmcli device wifi connect <SSID> password <password>

Use this for scripting, automating, or managing networks programmatically.

3. network-manager-applet – GUI tray icon

The Quickshell system tray (bar status icons) exposes the network applet to manage Wi-Fi and VPNs.

Install:

sudo pacman -S network-manager-applet  # Arch-based

📁 Dotfiles Integration

While network configurations aren't typically stored directly in the dotfiles, you can:

  • Create helper scripts to automate Wi-Fi/VPN switching
  • Manage your tray applet visibility and behavior
  • Bind hotkeys for toggling Wi-Fi, VPN, or Airplane Mode

You can version any helper script or autostart command using chezmoi:

chezmoi edit ~/.config/autostart/network-helper.sh

✨ Example: Quick Connect Script

Here’s an example nmcli script that you can store in ~/.local/bin/connect-home-wifi.sh:

#!/bin/bash
nmcli device wifi connect "HomeWiFi" password "yourpassword"

Make it executable:

chmod +x ~/.local/bin/connect-home-wifi.sh

Add it to your chezmoi config or call it from a keybinding.

🧪 Debugging Network Issues

Useful nmcli commands:

nmcli general status
nmcli device
nmcli connection show
journalctl -u NetworkManager.service

🔐 SSH Between Personal Machines

Personal machines (hornero and colibri) can reach each other over the local network with SSH, reusing the same personal key (~/.ssh/personal_rsa) that is already deployed by chezmoi on both of them.

What the dotfiles manage

Piece Managed by Purpose
~/.ssh/authorized_keys private_dot_ssh/private_authorized_keys.tmpl Accepts inbound logins from the other machine
/etc/ssh/sshd_config.d/10-hornero-config.conf run_onchange_before_install-ssh-server.sh.tmpl Enables and hardens sshd (key-only auth, no root login)
Avahi + nss-mdns run_onchange_before_install-mdns.sh.tmpl Resolves <hostname>.local even when DHCP addresses change
~/.ssh/config aliases private_dot_ssh/executable_config ssh hornero / ssh colibri just work

First-time connection

Host keys are intentionally not managed by the dotfiles, so accept the remote fingerprint the first time you connect (TOFU — trust on first use):

ssh hornero    # from colibri
ssh colibri    # from hornero

If mDNS is blocked by your router or access point, pin the current IP directly in ~/.ssh/config under the corresponding Host block as a fallback.

🆘 Need Help?

Take control of your network configuration with tools that match your workflow — whether it's terminal, GUI, or automation! 📡

📚 HorneroConfig Wiki

🏠 Getting Started

🪟 Window Manager & Desktop

Hyprland (Wayland)

Visual Components

Terminal & Shell

🔧 Scripts & Utilities

📜 Core Scripts

🎯 Key Tools

Quickshell-first flows:

Media & Screen:

System:

🎵 Studio & Audio

🛡️ System & Hardware

🧪 Development

🔍 Quick Access

Essential:

Recent Updates:

  • ⭐ Dots Scripts - Quickshell-first command reference
  • 🆕 Hybrid GPU - NVIDIA/Intel power management
  • 🆕 Changelog 2025 - Latest changes

Clone this wiki locally