wmutils/core
FreeSet of window manipulation tools
FreeFree tier
About wmutils/core
wmutils/core is a collection of minimalist X window manipulation tools, each designed with a single purpose for maximum flexibility and reliability. Built solely on the XCB library, these tools allow users to script complex window management operations—such as moving, resizing, stacking, focusing, and querying window attributes—using shell scripts. The suite includes utilities like lsw (list windows), wmv (move window), wtp (teleport window), pfw (print focused window), chwb (change border), and more. Every tool comes with a man page for detailed usage. The projects follows the Unix philosophy of doing one thing well and is released under the ISC license.
Key Features
Each tool has a single, well-defined purpose for maximum reliability
Built exclusively on the XCB library—no heavy dependencies
Comprehensive man pages included for every utility
Shell-scriptable, allowing creation of custom window management workflows
16 distinct tools covering window listing, focusing, moving, resizing, stacking, border changes, atom manipulation, and more
Lightweight and fast, suitable for minimal environments
ISC licensed open source
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight and dependency-light (only XCB required)
- Each tool is focused and composable—combine them in shell pipelines
- Well-documented via man pages and a clear example script
- Active community support via IRC (#wmutils on freenode)
- Open source under ISC license, permissive for commercial use
Cons
- Requires a running X server (not Wayland compatible)
- Command-line only; no graphical interface or built-in configuration
- Learning curve for users unfamiliar with shell scripting and X11 concepts
- Not a standalone window manager—must be used with an existing WM or from a script
Best For
Scripting window layouts and automated window placement in X11 environmentsBuilding custom tiling window manager behaviours on top of a minimal WMCentering, resizing, or moving windows programmatically from shell scriptsQuerying window attributes (position, size, ID) for monitoring or automationTeaching or learning X window manipulation concepts
FAQ
What is wmutils/core?
wmutils/core is a set of command-line tools for manipulating X windows. Each tool has a single purpose (e.g., moving, resizing, focusing windows) and they can be combined in shell scripts to create custom window management behavior.
What are the dependencies?
The only dependency is the XCB library. No other libraries or toolkits are required.
How do I install wmutils/core?
Clone the repository and run 'make' then 'make install' (default prefix is /usr). You can override variables like PREFIX, DESTDIR, CC, etc. See the README for details.
How can I center a window on screen?
Use the example script from the README: get the focused window's ID with `pfw`, its width and height with `wattr`, get screen dimensions with `lsw -r` and `wattr`, then teleport it with `wtp` using calculated coordinates.