dwm
What it is
dwm is a free dynamic window manager for X on Linux. It arranges windows in tiled, monocle, or floating layouts, and users can change layouts dynamically. Windows may have one or more tags, and selecting tags determines which windows appear. The status bar displays tags, the current layout, the visible-window count, the focused window title, and text from the root window name property. Customization involves editing config.h, a C header file, and config.mk, a Make include file; settings can cover application placement, tags, and colours. The project describes dwm as a single binary, with binary packages available from some distributions, and says it creates a view for each Xinerama screen. It states that input not known at compile time is not processed, except for window titles and status text read from the root window name. dmenu is an optional companion for adding a wmii-like menu. The project links dwm to the MIT/X Consortium license and directs users to its FAQ, source code, #suckless IRC channel, and mailing list for help.
For and against
For
- Free window manager for X on Linux.
- Offers tiled, monocle, and floating layouts.
- Windows can carry multiple tags.
- Configuration covers application placement, tags, and colours.
- Optional dmenu companion adds a wmii-like menu.
Against
- Customization requires editing config.h and config.mk.
- No Lua integration, 9P support, or remote control.
- No shell-based configuration.
The verdict
dwm provides a compact window-management approach centered on tags, layouts, and configuration-file customization. Users seeking shell-based configuration or remote control should note those are not supported.
Who it suits
dwm suits Linux users who want a window manager for X and are comfortable customizing configuration files. Its tags and dynamic layouts may suit users who organize windows by task or screen.
Plans and prices
dwm
Window manager for X · MIT/X Consortium license
Read 5 Oct 2026 · dwm.suckless.org
On the record
- Configuration scope
- config.h configures features including application placement, tags, and colours.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Customization
- Users customize dwm by editing config.h, a C header file, and config.mk, a Make include file.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The site describes dwm as a single binary and says some distributions provide binary packages.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Download
- The download listing identifies dwm 6.8 as 26kb and dates it 2026-01-30.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The project says dwm has no Lua integration, 9P support, shell-based configuration, or remote control.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Layouts
- It manages windows in tiled, monocle, and floating layouts, which can be applied dynamically.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- License
- The site links dwm to the MIT/X Consortium license.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Multi-monitor
- The site says dwm creates a view for each Xinerama screen.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Optional companion
- The site says dmenu can optionally extend dwm with a wmii-like menu.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- dwm is a dynamic window manager for X.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- 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.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Status bar
- Its status bar displays tags, layout, visible-window count, focused-window title, and text read from the root window name property.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its FAQ, source code and config.h, the #suckless IRC channel, and the mailing list for help.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
- Window grouping
- Windows can be assigned one or more tags, and selecting tags displays windows with those tags.dwm.suckless.org · read 5 Oct 2026
