HarveyHunt/howm
FreeA lightweight, X11 tiling window manager that behaves like vim
FreeFree tier
About HarveyHunt/howm
howm is a lightweight, X11 tiling window manager that mimics the vi editor by offering operators, motions, and modes for managing windows and workspaces. It is configured using cottage (a configuration tool) and uses sxhkd for keybindings. Features include a scratchpad for hiding clients, support for vim-like motions (e.g., j, k, w, b) with counts and repeated motion via the '.' key, and multiple modes (insert, normal, lock). Commands are executed via a socket-based IPC system. howm is available on the AUR and is built on xcb libraries.
Key Features
Vim-like operators, motions, and modes for window management
Tiling window manager for X11
Scratchpad to hide and float a single client
Configuration via cottage command-line tool
Keybindings managed through sxhkd
Supports counts and repeated motions (similar to vim's '.')
Socket-based IPC for executing commands
Available on the AUR (howm-x11 and howm-x11-git)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Lightweight and fast, built on xcb
- Familiar vim-like interface for window management reduces learning curve for vim users
- Highly configurable via cottage and sxhkd
- Open source with active development and community on GitHub and Freenode
- Supports scratchpad for temporary hiding of windows
- Motions can be repeated with counts and the '.' key
Cons
- X11 only, no Wayland support
- Requires external dependencies (cottage, sxhkd) for full functionality
- Limited to users comfortable with command-line and configuration files
- Documentation could be more extensive for advanced features
Best For
Power users who prefer keyboard-driven workflows and vim keybindingsUsers seeking a lightweight, configurable tiling window manager for X11Developers and enthusiasts familiar with tiling window managers who want vi-like navigation
FAQ
How do I install howm?
Howm is available on the AUR as howm-x11 (stable) and howm-x11-git (bleeding edge). Alternatively, you can clone the repository and run 'make && sudo make install' after installing xcb libraries. Configuration files should be copied from the examples directory.
How do I configure howm?
Configuration is done using the 'cottage' command-line tool. You can set variables like 'bar_height', 'border_focus', etc. Commands can be placed in an executable 'howmrc' script that howm runs at startup.
What is the scratchpad feature?
The scratchpad is a location to store a single client out of view. When retrieved, it floats in the center of the screen. Its size is defined by SCRATCHPAD_WIDTH and SCRATCHPAD_HEIGHT.
How do I set keybindings?
Keybindings are managed via sxhkd files. Each keypress is bound to a cottage command of the form 'cottage -f func_name args'. All available functions are documented in the repository.