dmenu
dmenu is a free Linux dynamic menu for X that helps manage large collections of user-defined items.
What dmenu is
dmenu is a free Linux dynamic menu for X that helps manage large collections of user-defined items. It can launch commands, and the project originally designed it for the dwm window manager. Community scripts use it for tasks such as clipboard management, directory browsing, password access, and music management; a separate patches collection offers contributed modifications. The project provides a browsable source repository and a Git clone command. Building requires the Xlib header files. The README describes building and installing with `make clean install`, with installation directed to the `/usr/local` namespace by default. The download page lists version 5.4, dated 2025-08-09. dmenu is covered by the MIT/X Consortium License, which permits use, modification, distribution, and sale of copies subject to its conditions. The license disclaims warranties. The suckless community identifies its dev mailing list as a place for user help, development discussion, bug reports, and general discussion. The project describes its software focus as simplicity, clarity, and frugality.
Good
- Manages large collections of user-defined menu items.
- Can launch commands.
- Community scripts cover several practical tasks.
- Contributed modifications are available as patches.
- Free under the MIT/X Consortium License.
Watch out
- Linux platform only.
- Building requires Xlib header files.
- License disclaims express and implied warranties.
Who it suits
dmenu suits Linux users working in an X environment who want a menu for user-defined items and command launching. It may also appeal to people comfortable building software and customizing it with scripts or patches.
Verdict
dmenu offers a focused menu for X, with command launching and community scripts extending its uses. Building it requires Xlib header files, so it is best suited to users comfortable with that setup.
Plans and prices
From dmenu's own pricing page, checked 15 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| dmenu | Free | MIT/X Consortium License · source distribution · X11 |
The facts
Each one read from dmenu's own pages, with the date it was checked.
Where it runs
- Appearance controls
- Command-line options configure prompt text, fonts, normal and selected colors, and multiple-selection outline colors.checked 15 Oct 2026
What it does
- Build requirement
- Building dmenu requires Xlib header files.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Case-insensitive search
- The -i option makes item matching ignore letter case.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Command launcher
- The bundled dmenu_run script lists programs in PATH and runs the selected result through the user's shell.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Community support
- Development discussion is provided through a public mailing list with archives.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Compatibility example
- The project describes dmenu as originally designed for the dwm window manager.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Current release
- The official product page lists dmenu 5.4, released on 2025-08-09.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Customization
- The dmenu site links to a patches collection with contributed modifications.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Efficiency
- The project describes dmenu as an efficient dynamic menu for X.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Extensibility
- The source tree includes configuration headers, shell helpers, C sources and manual pages, while the project publishes community patches.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent comparison
- Wikipedia lists dmenu as a Linux launcher at version 5.4, MIT licensed, open source, written in C and without plug-in support.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Independent review status
- Sugggest reports that no user reviews had been submitted for dmenu when its page was accessed.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Input and output
- dmenu reads newline-separated choices from standard input, filters them as text is entered, and writes the selected item to standard output.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Installation
- The README says dmenu installs into the /usr/local namespace by default and can be built and installed with make clean install.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Installation method
- The README instructs users to adjust config.mk and run make clean install, using /usr/local by default.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Keyboard operation
- The manual documents keyboard navigation with arrows, paging keys, Home, End, Tab, Return, Escape and editing shortcuts.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License
- dmenu uses the MIT/X Consortium License, which permits use, copying, modification, redistribution, sublicensing and sale subject to notice requirements.checked 15 Oct 2026
- License permissions
- The license permits use, copying, modification, merging, publication, distribution, sublicensing, and sale of copies, subject to its conditions.checked 7 Oct 2026
- Limit: accidental blocking
- Troubleshooters warns that launching a non-GUI program accidentally can make GUI programs unresponsive under Openbox and possibly other window managers.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: display server
- Sugggest lists X11-only operation as a limitation.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface
- Sugggest describes the interface as text-based with no graphical interface and limited built-in configuration.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: keyboard dependence
- Troubleshooters says dmenu is entirely keyboard-centric and may not suit hunt-and-peck users.checked 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: latency
- Troubleshooters reports a small but noticeable startup delay in typical dmenu packages and shows a cache-based workaround.checked 15 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2006checked 28 Sep 2026
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