The ArchWiki explains the Wayland display server protocol and links to a compositor comparison.
Window Manager Index
The ArchWiki explains window managers and links to a comparison of tiling window managers.
About Window Manager Index
The Window Manager Index is an ArchWiki page about window managers on Linux graphical systems. It defines a window manager as system software that controls placement and appearance of windows, and explains that it can be part of a desktop environment or used standalone.
The page describes stacking, tiling, and dynamic window managers, and notes that Wayland uses compositors rather than Xorg window managers. It links to a comparison of tiling window managers and to category pages for further reading. It also provides a list of window managers, such as 2bwm, 9wm, AfterStep, and Compiz, with short descriptions and links to project sites and Arch packages. It notes that a functional X server installation is required before installing a window manager.
The page suits readers researching Linux desktop options, especially Arch Linux users comparing standalone setups with desktop environments.
Key features
- Explains stacking, tiling, and dynamic window manager types
- Links to comparison of tiling window managers
- Lists stacking window managers with descriptions and links
- Describes standalone versus desktop-environment window manager use
- Explains Wayland compositors and Xorg window manager difference
Best for: Arch Linux users researching window manager types and options benefit most.
Good for
- Explains three main window manager types
- Links to tiling comparison and related pages
- Lists managers with descriptions and source links
Watch out for
- Focused on Arch Linux and Xorg context
Window Manager Index at a glance
- Category
- Software & Utilities › Desktop Customization
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web, Windows
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
Window Manager Index alternatives
Tools and sites you could use instead, ranked by how closely they match.
Hyprland is a tiling Wayland compositor with dynamic tiling and a custom renderer, documented in the ArchWiki.
Sway is an i3-compatible tiling compositor for Wayland, documented in the ArchWiki.
Configure Qtile with Python and use its full-featured tiling window manager for arranging windows.
i3 is a tiling window manager for X11 with documented code and Xinerama support.
xmonad provides a dynamically tiling window manager for X11, written and configured in Haskell.
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Window Manager Index FAQ
What is a window manager according to ArchWiki?
It is system software that controls the placement and appearance of windows in a graphical user interface, either standalone or as part of a desktop environment.
What types of window managers are covered?
The page describes stacking, tiling, and dynamic window managers and links to category pages and a comparison of tiling window managers.
Does the page cover Wayland?
It notes that window managers are unique to Xorg, and the equivalent on Wayland are called compositors.
What is needed before installing a window manager?
The page states that a functional X server installation is required, with details on the Xorg page.
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