Some things can be done with the mouse: selecting a client, moving to another workspace, changing the layout, moving/resizing a floating (ie. not tiled) window
(awesome 4.x is more mouse friendly than awesome 3.5: in addition to the above, you can also change a few client modes with the mouse: float/tiled, maximize, stick (ie. display on all workspaces), on-top, close.)
Keyboard only: adding/removing columns/masters, moving a client to the master area, resize master area, move client to another workspace/screen.
(awesome 4.x is more mouse friendly than awesome 3.5: in addition to the above, you can also change a few client modes with the mouse: float/tiled, maximize, stick (ie. display on all workspaces), on-top, close.)
Keyboard only: adding/removing columns/masters, moving a client to the master area, resize master area, move client to another workspace/screen.