DisplayFusion Free plan 9.2 Visit dwm
dwm.suckless.org
What it is
dwm is a free dynamic window manager for X on Linux. It can arrange windows in tiled, monocle, or floating layouts, and users can switch layouts dynamically. Windows can carry one or more tags, with selected tags determining which windows appear. The status bar shows tags, the current layout, visible-window count, focused-window title, and text read from the root window name property. Customization requires editing config.h, a C header file, and config.mk, a Make include file; config.h can set application placement, tags, and colours. The project describes dwm as a single binary, and says some distributions provide binary packages. It creates a view for each Xinerama screen. The project says it does not process input data unknown at compile time, except window titles and status text read from the root window name. dmenu is an optional companion that adds a wmii-like menu. The download listing identifies version 6.8 as 26kb, dated 2026-01-30. dwm is linked to the MIT/X Consortium license.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- dwm is a dynamic window manager for X.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Integrations
- The project says dwm has no Lua integration, 9P support, shell-based configuration, or remote control.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Support
- The project directs users to its FAQ, source code and config.h, the #suckless IRC channel, and the mailing list for help.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- License
- The site links dwm to the MIT/X Consortium license.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Founded
- 2006Read 28 Sep 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Configuration scope
- config.h configures features including application placement, tags, and colours.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Customization
- Users customize dwm by editing config.h, a C header file, and config.mk, a Make include file.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Distribution
- The site describes dwm as a single binary and says some distributions provide binary packages.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Download
- The download listing identifies dwm 6.8 as 26kb and dates it 2026-01-30.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Layouts
- It manages windows in tiled, monocle, and floating layouts, which can be applied dynamically.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Multi-monitor
- The site says dwm creates a view for each Xinerama screen.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Optional companion
- The site says dmenu can optionally extend dwm with a wmii-like menu.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Security design
- The project says dwm does not process input data that is not known at compile time, except window titles and status text read from the root window name.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Status bar
- Its status bar displays tags, layout, visible-window count, focused-window title, and text read from the root window name property.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
- Window grouping
- Windows can be assigned one or more tags, and selecting tags displays windows with those tags.Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
Plans and prices
dwm Free Window manager for X · MIT/X Consortium license Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free and available for Linux
- Offers tiled, monocle, and floating layouts
- Windows can be assigned multiple tags
- Creates a view for each Xinerama screen
Limits
- Customization requires editing config.h and config.mk
- No shell-based configuration or remote control
- No Lua integration or 9P support
Who it suits
dwm suits Linux users comfortable customizing a window manager by editing configuration files. Its tags and multiple layouts may suit users who want to control which windows are displayed and how they are arranged.
Verdict
dwm provides dynamic layouts, tags, and a configurable status bar in a small single-binary window manager. It is best suited to users willing to make configuration changes in source files.
Where Specifiction places it
- Window Management Software#22 of 657.8
