instantWM
instantWM is instantOS's hybrid window manager and Wayland compositor. The same core window-management behavior is available through its X11 and Wayland backends: persistent manual tiling, first-class floating windows, tags, scratchpads, an interactive bar, custom keybindings and modes, and a runtime IPC command.
Start here
- Layouts explains how to arrange, swap, and resize windows with the keyboard or mouse.
- Floating windows covers free movement, resizing, and the difference between floating and tiled drag gestures.
- Keybindings reference lists the current default keyboard and mouse controls.
- Tags explains instantWM's workspace model.
- Alt-Tab and focus switching covers window cycling.
Special window behavior
- Edge overlay
- Scratchpads
- Sticky windows
- Fullscreen and maximized presentation
- Overview is available with super+e; its default controls are in the keybinding reference.
- Closing applications
- Window drawing
Customize instantWM
- instantWM configuration documents
config.toml, themes, inputs, monitors, keybindings, and layout geometry. - Modes explains custom modes and the built-in keyboard placement mode.
- instantwmctl is the runtime IPC reference.
- Visibility options covers the bar, tag labels, and empty tags.
- Screenshots, notifications, and screen locking document desktop integrations commonly used from instantWM bindings.
Scripting and development
- Modes explains how to create contextual groups of keybindings.
- instantwmctl is the command-line and IPC reference for scripts and integrations.
The compiled defaults are always available locally with instantwm --print-config and instantwm --list-actions. Those commands are the best reference when a custom package or local build differs from the instantOS defaults documented here.