- Home
- Window Management Software
- herbstluftwm
herbstluftwm
What it is
herbstluftwm is a free, open-source manual tiling window manager for the X window system. It organizes each virtual desktop, called a tag, into a tiled area and a floating area for freely positioned windows. In its tiling layout, frames can be split into smaller sections, which can be subdivided again or filled with windows. Keyboard controls can move, resize, and focus both kinds of windows. Configuration runs through herbstclient and can be changed while the window manager is running, without restarting it. Users can divide screen space into virtual monitors that need not match physical displays; those monitors draw from the same pool of tags. The project uses the Simplified BSD License. The download page lists packages for multiple Linux distributions and Mac OS X through MacPorts, and says the software is confirmed to run on Cygwin. Community help is available through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list. The project lists version 0.9.6, released 2026-04-03, with a CSS-inspired theme engine and a herbstclient mode for sending multiple commands through one instance.
For and against
For
- Free and open source under the Simplified BSD License.
- Keyboard controls handle tiled and floating windows.
- Configuration can change at runtime.
- Virtual monitors can differ from physical displays.
- Community help is available through several channels.
Against
- Designed for the X window system.
- Mac OS X installation is listed through MacPorts.
- No free trial is offered.
The verdict
herbstluftwm offers manual window arrangement with keyboard control, runtime configuration, and virtual monitor options. Its fit depends on using the X window system and being comfortable configuring a window manager.
Who it suits
herbstluftwm suits users of the X window system who want to arrange windows manually, including through keyboard controls. It is also relevant for users who want configuration changes to take effect without restarting the window manager.
Plans and prices
herbstluftwm
manual tiling window manager for X · install via package manager or download source tarball
Read 11 Oct 2026 · herbstluftwm.org
On the record
- Additional platforms
- The download page says it is confirmed to run on Cygwin and many other Linux distributions.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The download page lists packages for multiple Linux distributions as well as Mac OS X via MacPorts and FreeBSD.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- 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.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The FAQ describes using external EWMH panels such as xfce4-panel and using dmenu for a run dialog.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The project describes itself as a manual tiling window manager for users of the X window system.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Keyboard control
- Tiling and floating windows can be moved, resized, and focused using only the keyboard.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Latest release
- The download page lists version 0.9.6, dated 2026-04-03, as the most current released tarball.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Layouts
- Its tiling layout works by splitting frames into subframes that can be split again or filled with windows.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The project repository states that herbstluftwm is licensed under the Simplified BSD License.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Live configuration
- Configuration runs through herbstclient and can be updated at runtime without restarting the window manager.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The website says it does not collect personal information from visitors; its wiki uses a session cookie.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Product
- herbstluftwm is a manual tiling window manager for the X window system.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- 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.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Source distribution
- The download page offers released source tarballs and links to the current development version on GitHub.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project offers community help through IRC, Reddit, GitHub issues, and a mailing list.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Tiling and floating
- Each virtual desktop, called a tag, has a tiling layer and a floating layer for freely placed windows.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- 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.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
- Website privacy
- The privacy policy says the website does not collect personal information from visitors and that its Wiki uses a session cookie.herbstluftwm.org · read 11 Oct 2026
