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Bluetile

Free plan Linux

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What Bluetile is

Bluetile is a free tiling window manager for Linux that integrates with GNOME. It provides both a conventional stacking layout and tiled layouts that arrange windows without overlap. Mouse and keyboard controls are available in either mode, including maximizing and minimizing windows. Bluetile handles fullscreen applications and supports multihead setups. Keyboard shortcuts switch among workspaces 1 through 10 and move windows between them, providing virtual desktop controls. You can customize settings by editing the ~/.bluetilerc file. The project is open source under the BSD-3-Clause license and began as a university project and thesis topic. Installation is available through some Linux distribution package managers and Hackage. The documented Cabal method requires a Haskell compiler and cabal-install; Gtk2Hs may be needed for gtk and glade dependencies. The download page identifies version 0.6 as current. Documentation recommends launching it from a terminal under GNOME and Metacity.

Who it suits

Bluetile suits Linux users moving from traditional window managers who want tiling layouts while retaining familiar stacking controls. It also fits users needing keyboard workspaces, multi-monitor support, or configurable behavior.

What it does well

  • Free plan available
  • Stacking and tiling layouts
  • Mouse and keyboard controls
  • Workspaces 1 through 10
  • Fullscreen and multihead support

What to know first

  • Linux only
  • Cabal installation may require Haskell tools
  • Gtk2Hs may be needed for dependencies
  • Configuration requires editing a file

Verdict

Bluetile combines tiling and traditional window management in a Linux tool designed for GNOME. Its workspace shortcuts and configurable setup are useful, while installation requirements may require technical preparation.

Facts from Bluetile's own pages

Compatibility note
The documentation recommends starting Bluetile from a terminal under GNOME and Metacity, where it replaces the running window manager if that manager supports it. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Configuration
Bluetile can be configured by editing the ~/.bluetilerc file. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Controls
Its features are accessible by mouse and keyboard. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Customization
Bluetile can be configured by editing ~/.bluetilerc. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Input
Its features are accessible by mouse and keyboard. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Install
The site says Bluetile is available through Linux distribution package managers and Hackage. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Installation
The site says Bluetile is available through some Linux distributions and Hackage, and documents installation with Cabal. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Install requirements
The Hackage installation instructions require a Haskell compiler and cabal-install, and say Gtk2Hs may be needed for gtk and glade dependencies. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Intended users
The site says Bluetile aims to make tiling accessible to users coming from traditional window managers. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Layouts
It offers both a traditional stacking layout and tiling layouts that arrange windows without overlap. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
License
Hackage lists the package under the BSD-3-Clause license. · hackage.haskell.org, 11 Oct 2026
Multiple monitors
The site lists multihead support and fullscreen application handling among its features. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Product
Bluetile is a tiling window manager for Linux designed to integrate with GNOME. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Project status
The site says Bluetile began as a university project and thesis topic and continues as an open source project. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Requirements
The installation instructions say users need a Haskell compiler and cabal-install; Gtk2Hs may also be needed if gtk and glade dependencies are unsatisfied. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Version
The download page identifies version 0.6 as the current version. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Window controls
It supports maximizing and minimizing windows in all layouts. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Window handling
It supports maximizing and minimizing windows in all layouts, and handles fullscreen applications. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026
Workspaces
Keyboard shortcuts switch among workspaces 1 through 10 and move windows between them. · bluetile.org, 11 Oct 2026

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