Ratpoison

Plans and prices

Every plan, in full

On the record

Automation

Users can attach scripts to Ratpoison events using hooks.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Command line

Ratpoison commands can be invoked non-interactively, including through its command-line interface.nongnu.org · read 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 · read 5 Oct 2026

Customization

The manual describes visual customization options for the status bar, including its font and position.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Dependencies and interface

The official site describes Ratpoison as having no large library dependencies, fancy graphics, or window decorations.nongnu.org · read 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 · read 5 Oct 2026

Frame layout

Frames can be split horizontally or vertically, and each frame can show at most one window.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Frames

The screen can be split into non-overlapping frames, with windows kept maximized inside them.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Keyboard control

All interaction with the window manager is done through keystrokes, using a prefix map.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

License

The manual states that Ratpoison is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2 or later.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Multiple screens

Commands let users switch among X11 screens and navigate across screens.nongnu.org · read 5 Oct 2026

Product

Ratpoison is a simple window manager modeled largely after GNU Screen.nongnu.org · read 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 · read 5 Oct 2026

Alternatives to Ratpoison

D DisplayFusionAndroidiPhone & iPad+2 A AvidemuxWebWindows+2 D DexpotWindowsAPI 4T 4t Tray MinimizerWindows A AquaSnapWindows S spectrwmWindowsMac+1 K komorebiWindowsMac R ReloopSelf-hosted

Every alternative, ranked