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bspwm

bspwm is a free tiling window manager for Linux that represents windows as leaves in a full binary tree.

Place
#43 of 65
Score
5.7
bspwm's website

What bspwm is

bspwm is a free tiling window manager for Linux that represents windows as leaves in a full binary tree. It responds to X events and to messages sent through a dedicated socket; the bspc utility sends those messages. bspwm does not handle keyboard or pointer input itself, so users need a separate program such as sxhkd to translate those events into bspc commands. Its default configuration is a shell script at $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc that calls bspc. Automatic insertion schemes include longest_side, alternate, and spiral. The project states that it supports the RandR and Xinerama protocols, along with a subset of the EWMH and ICCCM standards. The README points to sxhkd for keyboard and pointer bindings and includes an example configuration directory. For help, it directs users to a subreddit, the #bspwm IRC channel on irc.libera.chat, and a Matrix room. The project pages describe X event handling and do not state support for other display systems. The repository’s Releases page has no releases listed.

Good

  • Free to use on Linux.
  • Offers longest_side, alternate, and spiral insertion schemes.
  • Supports RandR and Xinerama.
  • Includes an example configuration directory.

Watch out

  • Keyboard and pointer input require a separate program.
  • Project pages do not state support for other display systems.
  • No releases are listed on the repository Releases page.

Who it suits

bspwm suits Linux users who want a tiling window manager and are comfortable configuring a separate input-binding program. Its X event and display-system details are worth checking against a user’s setup.

Verdict

bspwm provides a configurable tiling approach, but input handling depends on a separate tool such as sxhkd. Its documented X-oriented scope may not suit setups requiring other display systems.

Plans and prices

From bspwm's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
FreeFreeNo paid plans or usage limits are stated on the project pages opened

The facts

Each one read from bspwm's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Configuration
Its default configuration file is a shell script at $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc that calls bspc.checked 9 Oct 2026
Control
bspwm responds to X events and messages sent through a dedicated socket; bspc sends those messages.checked 9 Oct 2026
Displays
The project states that it supports the RandR and Xinerama protocols.checked 9 Oct 2026
Input handling
bspwm does not handle keyboard or pointer input, so the README says a third-party program such as sxhkd is needed to translate those events into bspc commands.checked 9 Oct 2026
Integration
The README points to sxhkd for keyboard and pointer bindings and provides an example configuration directory.checked 9 Oct 2026
Layout
Its automatic insertion schemes include longest_side, alternate, and spiral.checked 9 Oct 2026
License
The repository includes a license permitting redistribution and use in source and binary forms subject to its stated conditions.checked 9 Oct 2026
Notable limit
The README describes bspwm in terms of X events, and the opened project pages do not state support for other display systems.checked 9 Oct 2026
Purpose
bspwm is a tiling window manager that represents windows as the leaves of a full binary tree.checked 9 Oct 2026
Release availability
The GitHub Releases page states that there are no releases there.checked 9 Oct 2026
Security
GitHub's repository security page says no security policy is detected and no security advisories have been published.checked 9 Oct 2026
Standards
The project states that it supports a subset of the EWMH and ICCCM standards.checked 9 Oct 2026
Support
The README directs users seeking help to the r/bspwm subreddit, the #bspwm IRC channel on irc.libera.chat, and a Matrix room.checked 9 Oct 2026

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