NovaWM

NovaWM is a dynamic tiling window manager for X11 with a tree-based layout.

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Features

• Tree-based tiling (dwindle-style splits)
• Per-workspace layouts (no window loss on switch)
• Floating & tiling modes
• Configurable gaps (inner & outer)
• Focus follows mouse (optional)
• Mouse follows focus (optional)
• Live config reload
• Multi-workspace support
• Fullscreen support
• Adjustable split ratios (grow/shrink)
• Flip split direction
• Built-in wallpaper support

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Regarding polybar

NovaWM has a option to reserve space for polybar/others in the config.

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Setup

You do not need to manually create a config anymore.

NovaWM will automatically create:

~/.config/novawm/novawm.conf

on first launch.

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Default Config

# NovaWM config

master_factor = 0.5
border_width = 2
border_color_active = 0x00ff00
border_color_inactive = 0x222222

gaps_inner = 8
gaps_outer = 12
focus_follows_mouse = true
mouse_follows_focus = false
show_splash = false

background_color = 0x000000
# wallpaper = ~/Pictures/wallpaper.png
wallpaper_mode = fill  # fill/zoomed, fit, stretch, center, tile

# Commands to run once when NovaWM starts
exec-once = picom --experimental-backends
# exec-once = polybar mybar

# Windows NovaWM should not tile/manage
# Useful for panels, bars, docks, desktop widgets, launchers, etc.
ignore_class = Polybar
ignore_class = polybar
ignore_name = polybar
ignore_type = dock
ignore_type = desktop
ignore_type = notification

bind = SUPER, Return, spawn, kitty
bind = SUPER, Q, killactive
bind = SUPER, F, togglefloating
bind = SUPER, F11, fullscreen
bind = SUPER, J, focusnext
bind = SUPER, K, focusprev
bind = SUPER, H, shrink
bind = SUPER, L, grow
bind = SUPER, V, flipsplit
bind = SUPER, G, togglegaps
bind = SUPER, M, centerfloating
bind = SUPER, R, reload
bind = SUPER SHIFT, E, quit

## workspaces
bind = SUPER, 1, workspace, 1
bind = SUPER, 2, workspace, 2
bind = SUPER, 3, workspace, 3
bind = SUPER, 4, workspace, 4
bind = SUPER, 5, workspace, 5
bind = SUPER, 6, workspace, 6
bind = SUPER, 7, workspace, 7
bind = SUPER, 8, workspace, 8
bind = SUPER, 9, workspace, 9
bind = SUPER, 0, workspace, 10

## move focused window to workspace
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 1, movetoworkspace, 1
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 2, movetoworkspace, 2
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 3, movetoworkspace, 3
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 4, movetoworkspace, 4
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 5, movetoworkspace, 5
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 6, movetoworkspace, 6
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 7, movetoworkspace, 7
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 8, movetoworkspace, 8
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 9, movetoworkspace, 9
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 0, movetoworkspace, 10

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Roadmap Ideas

• Wayland backend (future)
• Rules system (assign apps to workspaces, float rules, etc.)