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Tech riderRev. 5 Oct 2026

Ratpoison

Ch 116.8of 64 Window Management Software
  1. 1Runs onLinux
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3PlatformsLinux
3 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: nongnu.org
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The Ratpoison homepage

Overview

Ratpoison is ranked #11 of 64 in window management software on Specifiction. It runs on Linux. There is a free plan.

Ratpoison plans and pricing

All plans
Ratpoison Free Current stable version listed as 1.4.9 nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026

Compared on window management software

Free plan
Yesnongnu.org
Platforms
Linuxnongnu.org

Facts

Product
Ratpoison is a simple window manager modeled largely after GNU Screen.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Keyboard control
All interaction with the window manager is done through keystrokes, using a prefix map.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Frames
The screen can be split into non-overlapping frames, with windows kept maximized inside them.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Frame layout
Frames can be split horizontally or vertically, and each frame can show at most one window.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Multiple screens
Commands let users switch among X11 screens and navigate across screens.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Customization
The manual describes visual customization options for the status bar, including its font and position.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Automation
Users can attach scripts to Ratpoison events using hooks.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Command line
Ratpoison commands can be invoked non-interactively, including through its command-line interface.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Dependencies and interface
The official site describes Ratpoison as having no large library dependencies, fancy graphics, or window decorations.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Compatibility limit
The manual notes that some programs are difficult to use under Ratpoison because they are tailored to particular window management paradigms.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Downloads
The official site lists version 1.4.9 as the current stable release and links to source archives and Git.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
Support
The site points users to a mailing list for bugs and development, documentation, a FAQ, a wiki, and the #ratpoison IRC channel on Libera.Chat.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026
License
The manual states that Ratpoison is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later.nongnu.org · 5 Oct 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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Sources