xmonad

xmonad [OPTION...]

--recompile
    Recompiles the xmonad.hs configuration file into a new executable. This is necessary for any configuration changes to take effect.

--restart
    Restarts the currently running xmonad instance. It typically reloads the window manager using the latest compiled configuration.

--version
    Prints the version of xmonad and exits.

--verbose
    Enables verbose output, printing additional information during operation, which can be useful for debugging.

--with-tracing
    Enables event tracing for debugging purposes, logging X events and other internal activities.

--replace
    Instructs xmonad to replace any currently running window manager. This is commonly used when starting xmonad from .xinitrc or a display manager.

xmonad is a dynamically tiling X11 window manager, known for its minimalism, stability, and high extensibility. Unlike traditional floating window managers (like GNOME or KDE), xmonad automatically arranges windows into non-overlapping layouts on the screen, maximizing screen real estate and encouraging a keyboard-driven workflow. It is uniquely written and configured in the Haskell programming language, allowing users to define their entire window management experience by modifying a single Haskell file, ~/.xmonad/xmonad.hs. This approach provides unparalleled flexibility and power, though it comes with a steeper learning curve for those unfamiliar with Haskell. xmonad focuses on efficiency and reproducibility, ensuring that your desktop environment behaves predictably and reliably.

Configuring xmonad requires a basic understanding of the Haskell programming language. While extensive documentation and examples are available, users unfamiliar with Haskell might find the initial setup and customization challenging. All configuration changes necessitate recompiling the xmonad.hs file, which introduces a slight delay before changes take effect. xmonad inherently promotes a keyboard-centric workflow, which might be less intuitive for users accustomed to heavy mouse usage.

The primary way to customize xmonad is by editing the ~/.xmonad/xmonad.hs file. This file defines layouts, keybindings, hooks, and other behaviors. After making changes, the file must be recompiled and xmonad restarted for the changes to take effect.

xmonad is highly extensible through the xmonad-contrib library, a collection of community-contributed modules. These modules provide additional layouts, status bar integration, session management, and other advanced features, allowing users to tailor xmonad to their exact preferences without modifying the core.

xmonad adheres to a tiling philosophy, automatically resizing and positioning windows to occupy screen space without overlap. This eliminates the need for manual window placement, focusing user attention on content rather than window management. It supports various tiling layouts, including master-stack, columns, and spiral, which can be cycled through via keybindings.

xmonad was first released in 2007, pioneering the concept of a dynamically tiling window manager written entirely in Haskell. Its design was significantly influenced by dwm, but it distinguished itself through its unique configuration mechanism and strong emphasis on correctness and extensibility derived from Haskell's type system. Over the years, xmonad has maintained its commitment to minimalism and stability, while its companion library, xmonad-contrib, has grown to include a vast array of extensions and layouts, catering to a diverse user base and evolving desktop needs.

i3(1), dwm(1), awesome(1), startx(1), X(7)