> Is it possible to have an i3-like experience on a modern GNOME desktop?
Unfortunately GNOME doesn't care about customisability or power user needs. They meticulously remove features they deem unnecessary, while actual people who rely on those features kick and scream "no".
In the old days, you used to be able to use a different window manager with your desktop environment, which meant you could just substitute Metacity for the actual i3. I think it's (maybe) still possible with X11/Mutter, but most likely no chance under Wayland, as the compositor combines several other roles in the stack, and the resulting desktop is much less modular.
If you're used to i3, stick to i3 (or Sway). If you need bits and pieces of another desktop environment, you can probably run GNOME or KDE apps just fine; or maybe you can try running the XFCE panel or similar. Also have a look at XFCE, LXQt or Lumina. They all start off with an integrated UX, but should be easier to replace whichever bits you don't like.
Unfortunately GNOME doesn't care about customisability or power user needs. They meticulously remove features they deem unnecessary, while actual people who rely on those features kick and scream "no".
In the old days, you used to be able to use a different window manager with your desktop environment, which meant you could just substitute Metacity for the actual i3. I think it's (maybe) still possible with X11/Mutter, but most likely no chance under Wayland, as the compositor combines several other roles in the stack, and the resulting desktop is much less modular.
If you're used to i3, stick to i3 (or Sway). If you need bits and pieces of another desktop environment, you can probably run GNOME or KDE apps just fine; or maybe you can try running the XFCE panel or similar. Also have a look at XFCE, LXQt or Lumina. They all start off with an integrated UX, but should be easier to replace whichever bits you don't like.