bspwm

Free plan Linux

What bspwm is

bspwm is a free Linux tiling window manager that models windows as leaves in a full binary tree. It responds to X events and messages sent through a dedicated socket; the bspc command sends those messages. Keyboard and pointer input are outside bspwm itself, so users need another program such as sxhkd to translate those events into bspc commands. Configuration starts with a shell script at $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc, where bspc commands define behavior. Automatic insertion schemes include longest_side, alternate and spiral. The project states support for RandR and Xinerama and a subset of the EWMH and ICCCM standards. An example configuration directory is provided, with help available through a subreddit, IRC channel and Matrix room. The repository license permits redistribution and use in source and binary forms under its conditions. GitHub lists no releases, and its security page detects no policy or advisories.

Who it suits

bspwm suits Linux users who want tree-based tiling and are comfortable configuring shell scripts and separate input tools. It is aimed at people working with X-based display systems.

What it does well

Free Linux window manager
Tree-based tiling model
Configurable shell-script setup
Supports RandR and Xinerama
Multiple community support channels

What to know first

Keyboard and pointer input need another program
Project pages do not state other display-system support
GitHub lists no releases
No security policy detected

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Free	No paid plans or usage limits are stated on the project pages opened	Free

As github.com lists them, read 9 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the bspwm GitHub project.
Use a Linux system.
Set up a separate program such as sxhkd for keyboard and pointer bindings.
Configure bspwm through $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc, a shell script that calls bspc.
Refer to the example configuration directory for an example.

Verdict

bspwm offers a focused, script-configured tiling environment for Linux and X users. Its separate input requirement and limited stated display-system scope should shape setup expectations.

Questions

Is bspwm free?

Yes. The project lists a free plan at no cost, with no paid plans stated.

What platform does bspwm support?

The listed platform is Linux. Project pages describe X event handling and do not state support for other display systems.

Does bspwm handle keyboard and pointer input?

No. It requires a separate program such as sxhkd to translate keyboard or pointer events into bspc commands.

How is bspwm configured?

Its default configuration is a shell script at $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc that calls bspc.

Which display and window standards does it support?

The project states support for RandR and Xinerama, and a subset of EWMH and ICCCM.

Is bspwm open source?

The repository includes a license permitting redistribution and use in source and binary forms subject to its stated conditions.

Facts from bspwm's own pages

Configuration: Its default configuration file is a shell script at $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/bspwm/bspwmrc that calls bspc. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Control: bspwm responds to X events and messages sent through a dedicated socket; bspc sends those messages. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Displays: The project states that it supports the RandR and Xinerama protocols. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Input handling: bspwm does not handle keyboard or pointer input, so the README says a third-party program such as sxhkd is needed to translate those events into bspc commands. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Integration: The README points to sxhkd for keyboard and pointer bindings and provides an example configuration directory. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Layout: Its automatic insertion schemes include longest_side, alternate, and spiral. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
License: The repository includes a license permitting redistribution and use in source and binary forms subject to its stated conditions. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Notable limit: The README describes bspwm in terms of X events, and the opened project pages do not state support for other display systems. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Purpose: bspwm is a tiling window manager that represents windows as the leaves of a full binary tree. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Release availability: The GitHub Releases page states that there are no releases there. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Security: GitHub's repository security page says no security policy is detected and no security advisories have been published. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Standards: The project states that it supports a subset of the EWMH and ICCCM standards. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The README directs users seeking help to the r/bspwm subreddit, the #bspwm IRC channel on irc.libera.chat, and a Matrix room. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026

Where bspwm stands on Freedom251

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