Audience
Users in need of a manual tiling Window Manager solution for the X window system
About herbstluftwm
The entire configuration happens at runtime via the tool herbstclient. So the configuration file is just a script that is run on startup. All configuration options, window rules, virtual desktops, and keybindings, can be updated live without the need to restart the window manager. Every virtual desktop (called tag) consists of a tiling and a floating layer. Windows in the tiling layer fill up the screen space and the floating windows can be placed freely above them. all monitors share the same pool of tags. You can switch the contents of two monitors with a single keystroke.
Other Popular Alternatives & Related Software
AquaSnap
Drag and drop your windows to the sides or corners of the screen, and they'll automatically be resized to fit one-half or one-quarter of the screen. This feature is just like the built-in Aero Snap function of Windows 10, but with more possibilities. This is especially useful on either a 4K monitor or multiple monitors. Be more productive with the best tiling window manager for Windows. Sometimes, splitting your desktop into halves or quarters is not ideal. When two windows are side-by-side, resizing one of them while pressing will also resize the other one. It's an easy and powerful way to modify the layout of several tiled windows. AquaSnap allows you to easily align your windows by making them behave like magnets. This simple feature is the cornerstone of AquaSnap, and has been carefully designed to assist you without getting in your way so you don't waste your desktop space.
Learn more
ZMover
ZMover helps you manage your desktop layout by enabling you to set the size, position, layering and state of other application windows. Instead of wasting time rearranging windows across your single or multiple monitor display, you can configure ZMover to do the job for you. Simply tell ZMover which windows you want to modify and how, then hide the program and let it work in the background. ZMover will monitor the desktop and automatically reposition, resize, or even keep selected windows below or above the others when they open.
ZMover lets you manage windows across several monitors with ease. The number of applications lacking multiple monitor support and the increased desktop space offered by such setups make it more difficult to maintain an optimal desktop layout. ZMover eliminates these difficulties with its ability to define window layouts for different monitor configurations.
Learn more
Hyprland
Hyprland is a dynamic tiling Wayland compositor that combines the latest Wayland innovations with smooth, eye-pleasing animations and a lightweight, responsive core. It offers automatic tiling with multiple fine-tunable layouts, rounded corners, and customizable window groups, plus global shortcuts and touchpad gesture support for fluid interaction. Its live-reloading, easy-to-read configuration format, and sensible defaults make setup and tuning straightforward, while comprehensive documentation guides users through advanced tweaks. A single, socket-based IPC system and a powerful plugin architecture let you extend and script every aspect of your workflow, whether by writing custom C++ extensions, leveraging community plugins, or controlling Hyprland via bindings in your favorite language. With native Wayland features like motion-smooth transitions, tear-free rendering, and modular window rules, Hyprland unlocks full control over your desktop without sacrificing performance.
Learn more
IceWM
IceWM is a window manager for the X Window System. The goal of IceWM is speed, simplicity, and not getting in the user’s way. It comes with a taskbar with a pager, global and per-window keybindings and a dynamic menu system. Application windows can be managed by keyboard and mouse. Windows can be iconified to the taskbar, to the tray, to the desktop or be made hidden. They are controllable by a quick switch window (Alt+Tab) and in a window list. A handful of configurable focus models are menu-selectable. Setups with multiple monitors are supported by RandR and Xinerama. IceWM is very configurable, themeable, and well-documented. It includes an optional external background wallpaper manager with transparency support, a simple session manager, and a system tray.
Learn more
Integrations
No integrations listed.
Company Information
herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.org
Other Useful Business Software
Build Agents and Models on One Platform
Gemini Enterprise Agent Platform is Google Cloud's comprehensive platform for developers to build, scale, govern, and optimize agents and models. Choose from Google's most advanced models and third-party models like Anthropic's Claude Model Family.
Product Details
Platforms Supported
Linux
Training
Documentation
Support
Online