compton

compton [-b] [-c]|--no-composite [--backend=<str>] [--config=FILE] [options...]

-b, --background
    Daemonize process into background

-c, --no-composite
    Disable binding to composite manager (default: enabled)

-C, --no-vsync
    Disable vsync (may cause tearing)

--backend=str
    Rendering backend: xrender, glx, or xr_glx (default: glx)

--config=FILE, -f FILE
    Load configuration from FILE

--sw-opti
    Enable software optimizations

--shadow
    Enable window shadows

--no-fading
    Disable fade-in/out effects

--opacity-rule=RULE
    Set opacity rules, e.g., '90:class_g = *'

--shadow-radius=INT
    Shadow blur radius in pixels (default: 12)

--shadow-offset-x=INT
    Horizontal shadow offset

--shadow-offset-y=INT
    Vertical shadow offset

-d DISPLAY
    Connect to specified X display

--log-file=FILE
    Log to FILE

--log-level=LEVEL
    Set log verbosity: trace|debug|info|warn|error

Compton is a standalone, lightweight composite manager for the X11 window system. It implements visual enhancements like drop shadows, window transparency, fading transitions, and animations without relying on a full desktop environment. Ideal for tiling window managers such as i3, bspwm, or Openbox, it aims for low resource usage and high customizability.

Features include multiple backends (xrender, glx, xr_glx) for rendering, vsync support to prevent screen tearing, window opacity rules, shadow positioning, and blur effects. Configuration is typically done via a ~/.config/compton.conf file, allowing per-window rules based on class, title, or role.

Compton improves on older tools like xcompmgr by supporting more effects and better performance, but it requires an X server with Composite extension enabled.

No longer actively maintained; picom is the recommended fork. Can conflict with other compositors or fullscreen apps. High CPU on software rendering. Requires Composite extension.

Primary config at ~/.config/compton.conf. Supports sections like shadow, opacity, fading with rules matching window properties.
Example:
shadow = true;
shadow-radius = 12;

compton -b --sw-opti --backend=glx --vsync --config=~/.config/compton.conf
Or add to ~/.xinitrc or WM config.

Originally forked from xcompmgr-dana by Chani Armitage (qsnl) in 2012. Gained popularity for WM compositing around 2013-2016. Development stalled; picom fork created in 2018 by ibhagwan/wired for bugfixes and features like blur.

picom(1), xcompmgr(1), i3(1), unredir_border(1)