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Qtile

Qtile is a free tiling window manager for Linux, written and configured in Python.

Place
#39 of 65
Score
5.8
Qtile's website

What Qtile is

Qtile is a free tiling window manager for Linux, written and configured in Python. It is available as an X11 window manager and as a Wayland compositor, whose backend uses the wlroots compositor library. Users can extend it with their own layouts and widgets, and use built-in commands. Its command shell lets users manage and inspect Qtile, while remote scripting can set up workspaces, manipulate windows, and update status-bar widgets. The project provides installation guides for Arch, Fedora, Funtoo, Ubuntu/Debian, Slackware, FreeBSD, and NixOS; its stable release can also be installed from PyPI. Qtile is distributed under the MIT license. The project aims to support the last three CPython versions and usually the latest stable PyPy. Its site separates the more stable official release from a development version that has newer features but may contain bugs. Community support is available through GitHub Discussions, IRC, and Discord.

Good

  • Available as both an X11 window manager and Wayland compositor.
  • Layouts and widgets can be user-created.
  • Remote scripting can manage workspaces and windows.
  • Distributed under the permissive MIT license.

Watch out

  • The Wayland backend uses the wlroots compositor library.
  • The development version may contain new bugs.

Who it suits

Qtile suits Linux users who want a Python-configured tiling window manager or Wayland compositor. The official release is aimed at users who prefer stability, while the development version is for those seeking newer features or planning to hack on Qtile.

Verdict

Qtile offers Python-based configuration and scripting across X11 and Wayland. Choose between its more stable official release and the development version with newer features and possible bugs.

Plans and prices

From Qtile's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
Free and open-sourceFreeMIT license · Linux desktop window manager/compositor

The facts

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

What it does

Community support
Support is available through GitHub Discussions, IRC and Discord, with Discord bridged to IRC.checked 30 Sep 2026
Configuration
Qtile is written and configured entirely in Python.checked 30 Sep 2026
Customization
Qtile is simple, small and extensible, with user-created layouts, widgets and built-in commands.checked 30 Sep 2026
Display systems
Qtile is available as both an X11 window manager and a Wayland compositor.checked 30 Sep 2026
Installation
The stable version can be installed from PyPI with the command `uv tool install qtile`.checked 30 Sep 2026
Intended users
The development version is recommended for users who want the latest features or plan to hack on Qtile, while the official release is recommended for users who want stability.checked 30 Sep 2026
License
Qtile is distributed under the permissive MIT license.checked 30 Sep 2026
Release channel
The official site distinguishes a more stable official release from a development version that has newer features but may contain new bugs.checked 30 Sep 2026
Remote control
Its command shell allows all aspects of Qtile to be managed and inspected.checked 30 Sep 2026
Runtime support
The project aims to support the last three CPython versions and usually supports the latest stable PyPy.checked 30 Sep 2026
Scriptability
Qtile supports remote scripting for setting up workspaces, manipulating windows and updating status-bar widgets.checked 30 Sep 2026
Wayland dependency
The Wayland backend uses the wlroots compositor library.checked 30 Sep 2026
What it does
Qtile is a full-featured, hackable tiling window manager written and configured in Python.checked 30 Sep 2026

Where it runs

Linux distributions
Qtile provides installation guides for Arch, Fedora, Funtoo, Ubuntu/Debian, Slackware, FreeBSD and NixOS.checked 30 Sep 2026

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