i3
What it is
i3 is a free, open-source tiling window manager written from scratch, aimed primarily at advanced users and developers. It arranges windows in a tree and supports split, stacking, and tabbed layouts. Users can group windows into workspaces and associate workspaces with multiple screens. A configuration file controls key bindings, application startup, workspace assignments, and colors. The project’s multi-monitor goals include attaching or detaching monitors while i3 is running and supporting rotated monitors. Its inter-process communication interface accepts commands and supports event subscriptions. Documentation describes integrations with i3bar, i3status, and external workspace bars such as dzen2. i3 is an X11 window manager targeting GNU/Linux and BSD, and is licensed under BSD. The project recommends installation through distribution packages and also provides Debian and Ubuntu repositories. The downloads page lists version 4.25.1 as the current stable release, dated 2026-02-06, and asks users to verify cryptographic signatures before use.
For and against
For
- Supports split, stacking, and tabbed layouts
- Configuration file controls key bindings and startup
- Workspaces can be associated with multiple screens
- Free and open source under the BSD license
Against
- It is an X11 window manager
- Targets GNU/Linux and BSD
The verdict
i3 offers configurable tiling, workspace, and multi-monitor controls for users comfortable with an X11 window manager. Its GNU/Linux and BSD target and advanced-user focus are important considerations.
Who it suits
i3 suits advanced users and developers who want configurable window layouts and workspace controls on GNU/Linux or BSD.
Plans and prices
i3
Free and Open Source Software · BSD license · GNU/Linux and BSD
Read 30 Sep 2026 · i3wm.org
On the record
- Configuration
- Users can customize key bindings, application startup, workspace assignments, and colors through a configuration file.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Current release
- The downloads page lists version 4.25.1 as the current stable release, dated 2026-02-06.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation and help
- The user guide directs users to GitHub Discussions, IRC, or the mailing list for questions.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Installation
- The project recommends using packages provided by the user's distribution and also provides Debian and Ubuntu repositories.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- The documentation describes i3bar, i3status, and external workspace bar programs such as dzen2.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Intended users
- The project primarily targets advanced users and developers.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- IPC
- i3 provides an inter-process communication interface that accepts commands and supports event subscriptions.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- The project describes its software as free and open source under the BSD license.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Multi-monitor
- The project goals include multi-monitor support, including attaching or detaching monitors during operation and rotated monitors.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Notable limit
- The project describes i3 as an X11 window manager and lists GNU/Linux and BSD as its target operating systems.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- i3 is a tiling window manager written from scratch.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Release security
- The downloads page says releases are cryptographically signed and asks users to verify them before use.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Window layouts
- i3 arranges windows in a tree and supports split, stacking, and tabbed layouts.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
- Workspaces
- Users can group windows into workspaces and associate workspaces with multiple screens.i3wm.org · read 30 Sep 2026
