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herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm.org
What it is
herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system. Each virtual desktop, called a tag, has a tiling layer and a floating layer, allowing windows to occupy split frames or be placed freely. Frames can be divided into further subframes or filled with windows, and keyboard controls move, resize, and focus tiled and floating windows. Configuration runs through herbstclient and can be changed while the manager is running without a restart. Screen space can be divided into virtual monitors that need not match physical displays; monitors share a common pool of tags. The project is licensed under the Simplified BSD License and is listed as free at free. The download page lists packages for Linux distributions and Mac OS X via MacPorts, and confirms operation on Cygwin. The project also offers released source tarballs and links to its current development version. Community help is available through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list.
Spec sheet
- What it does
- herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Product
- herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Intended users
- The project describes itself as a manual tiling window manager for users of the X window system.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Integrations
- The FAQ describes using external EWMH panels such as xfce4-panel and using dmenu for a run dialog.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Privacy
- The website says it does not collect personal information from visitors; its wiki uses a session cookie.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Support
- The project offers community help through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- License
- The project repository states that herbstluftwm is licensed under the Simplified BSD License.Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Additional platforms
- The download page says it is confirmed to run on Cygwin and many other Linux distributions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Distribution
- The download page lists packages for multiple Linux distributions as well as Mac OS X via MacPorts and FreeBSD.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Install platforms
- The download page lists packages for Linux distributions and Mac OS X via MacPorts, and says the program is confirmed to run on Cygwin.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Keyboard control
- Tiling and floating windows can be moved, resized, and focused using only the keyboard.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Latest release
- The download page lists version 0.9.6, dated 2026-04-03, as the most current released tarball.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Layouts
- Its tiling layout works by splitting frames into subframes that can be split again or filled with windows.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Live configuration
- Configuration runs through herbstclient and can be updated at runtime without restarting the window manager.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Recent release
- The site lists version 0.9.6, released on 2026-04-03, with a CSS-inspired theme engine and a herbstclient mode for sending multiple commands through one instance.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Source distribution
- The download page offers released source tarballs and links to the current development version on GitHub.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Tiling and floating
- Each virtual desktop, called a tag, has a tiling layer and a floating layer for freely placed windows.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Virtual monitors
- Screen space can be divided into virtual monitors that need not correspond to physical monitors, and monitors share a common pool of tags.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Website privacy
- The privacy policy says the website does not collect personal information from visitors and that its Wiki uses a session cookie.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
- Window layers
- Each virtual desktop, called a tag, has a tiling layer and a floating layer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
Plans and prices
herbstluftwm Free manual tiling window manager for X · install via package manager or download source tarball Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Runtime configuration without restarting
- Keyboard control for focus, movement, and resizing
- Tiling and floating layers on each tag
- Virtual monitors share tags
- Simplified BSD License
Limits
- Designed for the X window system
- Mac installation is listed through MacPorts
- Manual window arrangement is the stated model
Who it suits
It suits users of the X window system who want to arrange and control windows manually, including through keyboard commands. Its virtual monitor and tag model may be useful to people who want screen organization independent of physical monitor boundaries.
Verdict
herbstluftwm offers manual window layout with runtime configuration, keyboard control, and flexible virtual monitor organization. Check the X window system requirement and listed installation routes before choosing it.
Where Specifiction places it
- Window Management Software#12 of 658.1
