Openbox

Free plan Linux

What Openbox is

Openbox is a free, open-source window manager for Linux. It can run applications without a full desktop environment or operate within GNOME and KDE. Its default setup is simple, while configuration can change nearly every part of desktop interaction. Per-application rules control borders, geometry, workspace presence, and window layering. Keyboard and mouse bindings assign actions to keys and buttons. Users can create custom menus, pipe menus, and script-generated application lists from directories such as /usr/share/applications. Openbox provides dynamic desktops, focus cycling, synchronized window resizing, and animated minimizing and restoring. Themes use the *box visual style, and ObConf offers graphical configuration plus .obt theme archive tools. It follows ICCCM and freedesktop.org EWMH goals, supports transparent windows with required compositing components, and has translations in over 20 languages.

Who it suits

Openbox suits Linux users wanting either a simple window-manager setup or extensive desktop customization. It also fits users running applications alongside GNOME or KDE.

What it does well

Free open-source Linux software
Runs with or without full desktop environments
Per-application rules and desktop controls
Custom menus and keyboard bindings
Translations cover over 20 languages

What to know first

Linux platform only
Transparent windows require Composite and a manager
Debian menu integration is provided by Debian

Verdict

Openbox combines a simple starting configuration with detailed control over windows, menus, bindings, and desktops. Linux users can choose standalone use or integration with GNOME and KDE, while the project provides documentation and source access.

Facts from Openbox's own pages

Community documentation: The documentation site invites community members to improve articles by submitting pull requests to its GitHub repository. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Compatibility: The project says Openbox works with applications following supported standards and can run under GNOME and KDE. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Configuration: Users can customize per-application properties such as borders, geometry, workspace presence, and window layering. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Configuration tool: ObConf provides a graphical interface for configuration and can install and create .obt theme archives. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Customization: Users can customize most aspects of desktop interaction, including mouse behavior, key bindings, themes, and per-window settings. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Desktop integration: Openbox can run applications outside a full desktop environment or inside GNOME and KDE. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Download: The download page lists Openbox 3.6.1 source archives and links to its current Git repository. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Installation: The installation guide describes building Openbox from source and lists development dependencies including Xlib, Glib, LibXML, and Pango. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Intended use: The project describes Openbox as suitable both for people who want a simple default setup and for users who want extensive desktop customization. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Key and mouse bindings: Users can bind actions to keyboard keys and mouse buttons. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Languages: The feature list states that Openbox has translations to over 20 languages. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Licensing: Openbox is open source software distributed under the GNU General Public License. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Limit: Openbox.org source and Debian packages do not include the Debian menu in the root menu; the FAQ says Debian provides that integration. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Menus: Openbox supports custom menus, pipe menus, and scripts that generate application menus from directories such as /usr/share/applications. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Product: Openbox is a minimalistic, highly configurable window manager with extensive standards support. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Purpose: It lets users run modern applications outside a full desktop environment and can also run inside GNOME or KDE. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Release and source: The download page lists Openbox 3.6.1 and provides source archives, signatures, build instructions, and access to the Git repository. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Standards: Openbox aims to follow ICCCM and the freedesktop.org EWMH window-manager specification. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The site provides documentation, FAQs, bug-report links, and community resources; bug reports should explain how to reproduce the problem. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Themes: Openbox uses the *box visual style and provides theme options for developers. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Transparency: Openbox supports true 32-bit transparent windows; the FAQ says this requires the X server Composite extension and a composite manager. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026
Window management: Features include dynamic desktops, focus cycling across desktops, synchronized window resizing, and animated minimize and restore. · openbox.org, 9 Oct 2026

Where Openbox stands on Freedom251

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