Off the top of my head, things I use most beyond L/R split include:
1. Workspaces. Not at all unique to i3 but I’ve kept mine themed and automatically load certain apps into the same workspaces—all things i3 makes easy to do.
2. Floating scratchpad for media player. Nice to have my music controls always accessible but only visible when I unhide them.
3. Vertical split beneath my editor with a terminal. Just my personal preference, but I typically have L/R with code/browser and then split the code half vertically.
Being able to move windows across displays and workspaces quickly are other pluses, but again, not at all i3 exclusive.
1. Workspaces. Not at all unique to i3 but I’ve kept mine themed and automatically load certain apps into the same workspaces—all things i3 makes easy to do.
2. Floating scratchpad for media player. Nice to have my music controls always accessible but only visible when I unhide them.
3. Vertical split beneath my editor with a terminal. Just my personal preference, but I typically have L/R with code/browser and then split the code half vertically.
Being able to move windows across displays and workspaces quickly are other pluses, but again, not at all i3 exclusive.