neurowm - dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad

nnoell · 2014-07-13 20:12:49

Hi,

I started to write my own window manager last year so that it fits exactly my needs. The project was paused due to a lack of time but last month I could start coding again and make it stable. It was my very first step into the X protocol so I decided to use C language and Xlib rather than XCB because of the documentation. I might plan to port it to XCB in the near future though.

neurowm is a dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad, where you must write your own configuration using C language instead of Haskell language. If you are familiar with Xmonad, you should be able to understand the configuration easily.

Some features:
- Compile and reload the comfiguration file on the fly withour restarting X
- Support of float layout
- Support of toggled layouts
- Border width, color and gaps can be configured at window level
- Mirror, Reflect X and Reflect Y support on every layout
- Support of fixed windows on every layout
- Support if free window on every layout
- Dzen support
- Xinerama support (TODO)
- Java support (TODO)

Screenshots:

Website: https://github.com/nnoell/neurowm

There is no PKGBUILD at the moment and please, bear in mind that the window manager is under heavy development, so the configuration file might change a lot. Feel free to try it and leave some feedbacks.

Asmir · 2014-07-17 20:45:30

I like the idea, also it looks cool. I'll try it when I get some time.

xero · 2014-07-17 21:03:51

i enjoy all the neuromancer references (wintermute). and your avatar from the cover of the c64 game. gibson would be proud ;D

the wm looks very nice in your scrots. can i make some feature suggestions based on my wm experiences?

i've recently switched from awesomewm to herbsluftwm, and really like it.

- the binary tree division makes so much sense. you split a frame, then split that frame, and so on into infinity. and all those frames are movable via key-binding as well. as opposed to pre-defined layouts in awesome (and as far as i can tell, neurowm too).

- having a command line tool that you use to dynamically set properties is amazing. border colors, gaps, displays, etc. e.g. you configure you monitor settings via a command v.s. you config file, this makes it more flexible for on the fly changes.

just starred your repo. i'll try it out this weekend

Last edited by xero (2014-07-17 21:07:57)

nnoell · 2014-07-18 15:56:14

i enjoy all the neuromancer references (wintermute). and your avatar from the cover of the c64 game. gibson would be proud ;D

I am not really good at names, that is why I take all of them from things I love. Next one won't be from neuromancer, I promisse

the wm looks very nice in your scrots. can i make some feature suggestions based on my wm experiences?
i've recently switched from awesomewm to herbsluftwm, and really like it.
- the binary tree division makes so much sense. you split a frame, then split that frame, and so on into infinity. and all those frames are movable via key-binding as well. as opposed to pre-defined layouts in awesome (and as far as i can tell, neurowm too).
- having a command line tool that you use to dynamically set properties is amazing. border colors, gaps, displays, etc. e.g. you configure you monitor settings via a command v.s. you config file, this makes it more flexible for on the fly changes.

Yes, you are right, command line tools are very useful, I might think of adding that. Regarding the binary tree division, I think it would be good to create another "special" layout (as the floated one) with its own bindings. I think I will try herbsluftwm and compare it to Xmonad so I can get to the point.

I decided to create an Xmonad-like window manager using C language because many people don't know Haskell and GHC is quite heavy. The configuration file might be difficult to understand at first (specially if you are not familiar with C language) but if you guys have any problem, don't hesitate to contact me

PD: Ninja gaiden is also an amazing franchise, specially the 3 games from the NES, played a lot when I was a kid.

Arch Linux

#1 2014-07-13 20:12:49

neurowm - dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad

#2 2014-07-17 20:45:30

Re: neurowm - dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad

#3 2014-07-17 21:03:51

Re: neurowm - dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad

#4 2014-07-18 15:56:14

Re: neurowm - dynamic tiling window manager based on Xmonad

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