> ⚠️ **Note:** I won’t be updating this project for a month or so due to exams. > Issues & PRs are welcome, just don't expect a quick response πŸ₯€πŸ₯€ > **24/05/25:** I have very _little_ time but I am able to develop some features > Thank you to the wonderful people who have sumbitted fixes and other PR's > **01/06/25:** I will be back to exams so I will have little to no time but I'm _finally_ nearly done with them!

Minimal. Fast. Configurable. Tiling Window Manager for X11
Abhinav Prasai (2025)

--- ## Table of Contents - [Launch Args](#launch-args) - [Features](#features) - [Screenshots](#screenshots) - [Configuration](#configuration) - [Keybindings](#keybindings) - [Example Bindings](#example-bindings) - [Default Keybindings](#default-keybindings) - [Dependencies](#dependencies) - [Build & Install](#build--install) - [Makefile Targets](#makefile-targets) - [Thanks & Inspiration](#thanks--inspiration) --- ## Launch Args ### `-v` or `--version` Displays the version of `sxwm` ### `-b` or `--backup` Allows user to use backup keybinds with `sxwm` --- ## Features - **Tiling & Floating**: Switch seamlessly between layouts. - **Workspaces**: 9 workspaces, fully integrated with your bar. - **Live Config Reload**: Change your config and reload instantly with a keybind. - **Easy Configuration**: Human-friendly `sxwmrc` file, no C required. - **Master-Stack Layout**: DWM-inspired productive workflow. - **Mouse Support**: Move, swap, and resize windows with the mouse. - **Zero Dependencies**: Only `libX11` and `Xinerama` required. - **Lightweight**: Single C file, minimal headers, compiles in seconds. - **Bar Friendly**: Works great with [sxbar](https://github.com/uint23/sxbar). - **Xinerama Support**: Multi-monitor ready. - **Fast**: Designed for speed and low resource usage. --- ## Screenshots See on the [website](https://uint23.xyz/sxwm.html) --- ## Configuration `sxwm` is configured via a simple text file located at `~/.config/sxwmrc`. Changes can be applied instantly by reloading the configuration (`MOD + r`). The file uses a `key : value` format. Lines starting with `#` are ignored. ### General Options | Option | Type | Default | Description | |--------------------------|---------|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | `mod_key` | String | `super` | Sets the primary modifier key (`alt`, `super`, `ctrl`). | | `gaps` | Integer | `10` | Pixels between windows and screen edges. | | `border_width` | Integer | `1` | Thickness of window borders in pixels. | | `focused_border_colour` | Hex | `#c0cbff` | Border color for the currently focused window. | | `unfocused_border_colour`| Hex | `#555555` | Border color for unfocused windows. | | `swap_border_colour` | Hex | `#fff4c0` | Border color when selecting a window to swap (`MOD+Shift+Drag`). | | `master_width` | Integer | `60` | Percentage of the screen width for the master window. | | `resize_master_amount` | Integer | `1` | Percent to increase/decrease master width. | | `snap_distance` | Integer | `5` | Distance (px) before a floating window snaps to edge. | | `motion_throttle` | Integer | `60` | Target FPS for mouse drag actions. | | `should_float` | String | `"st"` | Always-float rule. Multiple entries should be comma-seperated. Optionally, entries can be enclosed in quotes.| | `new_win_focus` | Bool | `true` | Whether openening new windows should also set focus to them or keep on current window.| | `warp_cursor` | Bool | `true` | Warp the cursor to the middle of newly focused windows | --- ## Keybindings ### Syntax ```sh bind : modifier + modifier + ... + key : action ``` - **Modifiers**: `mod`, `shift`, `ctrl`, `alt`, `super` - **Key**: Case-insensitive keysym (e.g., `Return`, `q`, `1`) - **Action**: Either an external command (in quotes) or internal function. ```sh workspace : modifier + modifier + ... + key : move n workspace : modifier + modifier + ... + key : swap n ``` - **Modifiers**: `mod`, `shift`, `ctrl`, `alt`, `super` - **Key**: Case-insensitive keysym (e.g., `Return`, `q`, `1`) - **move**: Move to that worspace - **swap**: Swap window to that workspace - **n**: Workspace number ### Available Functions | Function Name | Description | |----------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | `close_window` | Closes the focused window. | | `decrease_gaps` | Shrinks gaps. | | `focus_next` | Moves focus forward in the stack. | | `focus_previous` | Moves focus backward in the stack. | | `focus_next_mon` | Switches focus to the next monitor. | | `focus_prev_mon` | Switches focus to the previous monitor. | | `move_next_mon` | Moves the focused window to the next monitor. | | `move_prev_mon` | Moves the focused window to the previous monitor. | | `increase_gaps` | Expands gaps. | | `master_next` | Moves focused window down in master/stack order. | | `master_prev` | Moves focused window up in master/stack order. | | `quit` | Exits `sxwm`. | | `reload_config` | Reloads config. | | `master_increase` | Expands master width. | | `master_decrease` | Shrinks master width. | | `toggle_floating` | Toggles floating state of current window. | | `global_floating` | Toggles floating state for all windows. | | `fullscreen` | Fullscreen toggle. | ### Example Bindings ```yaml # Launch terminal bind : mod + Return : "st" # Close window bind : mod + shift + q : close_window # Switch workspace workspace : mod + 3 : move 3 # Move window to workspace workspace : mod + shift + 5 : swap 5 ``` --- ## Default Keybindings ### Window Management | Combo | Action | | ---------------------------- | ------------------------- | | Mouse | Focus under cursor | | `MOD` + Left Mouse | Move window by mouse | | `MOD` + Right Mouse | Resize window by mouse | | `MOD` + `j` / `k` | Focus next / previous | | `MOD` + `,` / `.` | Focus prev / next monitor | | `MOD` + `Shift` + `,` / `.` | Move window to prev / next monitor | | `MOD` + `Shift` + `j` / `k` | Move in master stack | | `MOD` + `Space` | Toggle floating | | `MOD` + `Shift` + `Space` | Toggle all floating | | `MOD` + `=` / `-` | Increase/Decrease gaps | | `MOD` + `f` | Fullscreen toggle | | `MOD` + `q` | Close focused window | | `MOD` + `1-9` | Switch workspace 1–9 | | `MOD` + `Shift` + `1-9` | Move window to WS 1–9 | ### Programs | Combo | Action | Program | | -------------------- | ---------- | ---------- | | `MOD` + `Return` | Terminal | `st` | | `MOD` + `b` | Browser | `firefox` | | `MOD` + `p` | Launcher | `dmenu_run`| --- ## Dependencies - `libX11` (Xorg client library) - `Xinerama` - `XCursor` - GCC or Clang & Make
Debian / Ubuntu / Linux Mint 
sudo apt update
sudo apt install libx11-dev libxcursor-dev libxinerama-dev build-essential
Arch Linux / Manjaro 
sudo pacman -Syy
sudo pacman -S libx11 libxinerama gcc make
Gentoo 
sudo emerge --ask x11-libs/libX11 x11-libs/libXinerama sys-devel/gcc sys-devel/make
sudo emaint -a sync
Void Linux 
sudo xbps-install -S
sudo xbps-install libX11-devel libXinerama-devel gcc make
Fedora / RHEL / AlmaLinux / Rocky 
sudo dnf update
sudo dnf install libX11-devel libXcursor-devel libXinerama-devel gcc make
OpenSUSE (Leap / Tumbleweed) 
sudo zypper refresh
sudo zypper install libX11-devel libXinerama-devel gcc make
Alpine Linux 
doas apk update
doas apk add libx11-dev libxinerama-dev gcc make musl-dev
NixOS 
buildInputs = [
  pkgs.xorg.libX11
  pkgs.xorg.libXinerama
  pkgs.libgcc
  pkgs.gnumake
];
sudo nixos-rebuild switch
Slackware 
slackpkg update
slackpkg install gcc make libX11 libXinerama
OpenBSD 
doas pkg_add gmake
You will also need the X sets (xbase, xfonts, xserv and xshare) installed. When you make the code, use gmake instead of make (which will be BSD make). Use the following command to build: gmake CFLAGS="-I/usr/X11R6/include -Wall -Wextra -O3 -Isrc" LDFLAGS="-L/usr/X11R6/lib -lX11 -lXinerama -lXcursor"
FreeBSD 
# If you use doas or su instead of sudo, modify the following commands accordingly.
sudo pkg update
sudo pkg install gcc gmake libX11 libXinerama
--- ## Build & Install ### Arch Linux (AUR) ```sh yay -S sxwm # OR for latest features: yay -S sxwm-git ``` ### Void Linux ```sh sudo xbps-install -S sxwm ``` ### Build from Source ```sh git clone --depth=1 https://github.com/uint23/sxwm.git cd sxwm/ # Replace make with gmake on FreeBSD make sudo make clean install ``` ### Run Add to your `~/.xinitrc`: ```sh exec sxwm ``` --- ## Makefile Targets | Target | Description | |-----------------------|----------------------------------------------------------| | `make` / `make all` | Build the `sxwm` binary | | `make clean` | Remove build artifacts | | `make install` | Install `sxwm` to `$(PREFIX)/bin` (default `/usr/local`) | | `make uninstall` | Remove installed binary | | `make clean install` | Clean then install | > Override install directory with `PREFIX`: > ```sh > make install PREFIX=$HOME/.local > ``` --- ## Thanks & Inspiration - [dwm](https://dwm.suckless.org) β€” Tiling & source code - [i3](https://i3wm.org) β€” Easy configuration - [sowm](https://github.com/dylanaraps/sowm) β€” README inspiration - [tinywm](http://incise.org/tinywm.html) β€” Minimal X11 WM ---

Contributions welcome, Please read CONTRIBUTIONS.md for more info!