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awesome
What it is
Awesome is a free framework window manager for X on Linux, licensed under GNU GPLv2. It is designed for power users, developers, and others seeking detailed control over their graphical environment, rather than as a complete desktop environment. Lua provides a way to extend the framework with dynamic tagging, widgets, tabs, and layouts. Windows can be assigned to one or more tags, and several tags can be displayed at once. XRandR support provides per-screen desktops for multihead setups. Awesome says its use of the asynchronous XCB library makes it less subject to latency than window managers based on Xlib. It supports keyboard operation without a mouse, D-Bus, and standards including EWMH, XDG Base Directory, XEmbed, Desktop Notification, and System Tray. Packages are available for distributions including Arch Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, and NetBSD. The project lists version 4.3, released on 28 January 2019, as its latest stable release. It recommends distribution packages because source builds can encounter LGI and Lua 5.1 package-search-path problems.
For and against
For
- Free under GNU GPLv2
- Lua extensions support customization
- Keyboard operation does not require a mouse
- Provides per-screen desktops through XRandR
- Packages are available for multiple distributions
Against
- It is a window manager, not a desktop environment
- Latest stable release listed is version 4.3 from 2019
- Source builds can have package-search-path problems
The verdict
Awesome offers extensive control over window organization and keyboard-driven use, with Lua available for further customization. Choose it as a window manager rather than expecting a complete desktop environment, and consider the listed stable release date.
Who it suits
Awesome suits Linux users who are comfortable configuring a window manager and want keyboard control or Lua extensibility. It is aimed especially at power users and developers, not people seeking a complete desktop environment.
Plans and prices
Awesome
GNU GPLv2 license · X window manager
Read 1 Oct 2026 · awesomewm.org
On the record
- Configuration
- Awesome is designed as a framework window manager that is extensible using the Lua programming language.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Distribution support
- Packages are available for distributions including Arch Linux, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD and others.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- Official documentation includes Lua API documentation, the awesome manpage, awesomerc manpage and awesome-client manpage.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Awesome supports D-Bus and offers Lua extensions for dynamic tagging, widgets, tabs and layouts.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Keyboard control
- Everything in Awesome can be performed with the keyboard without using a mouse.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Latest stable release
- The download page identifies version 4.3 as the latest stable release, released on 28 January 2019.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- License
- Awesome is licensed under the GNU GPLv2 license.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Multihead support
- Awesome provides real multihead support through XRandR with per-screen desktops called tags.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Not a desktop environment
- The FAQ states that Awesome is a window manager, not a desktop environment.github.com · read 1 Oct 2026
- Performance
- Awesome uses the asynchronous XCB library and says this makes it less subject to latency than Xlib-based window managers.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Product type
- Awesome is a highly configurable framework window manager for X.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Release verification
- The stable source archives are provided with GPG signatures.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Source installation
- The project recommends using the package supplied by your distribution because source builds can have LGI and Lua 5.1 package-search-path problems.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Standards
- Awesome implements EWMH, XDG Base Directory, XEmbed, Desktop Notification and System Tray standards.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to the #awesome channel on OFTC IRC, Stack Overflow, Reddit and GitHub for questions and issue reports.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Target users
- It is primarily targeted at power users, developers and people who want fine-grained control of their graphical environment.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Window organization
- Windows can be assigned to one or more tags, and several tags can be displayed at the same time.awesomewm.org · read 1 Oct 2026
