subtle

Free plan Linux

What subtle is

subtle is a free Linux manual tiling window manager that places windows into customizable screen-grid slots called gravities. Its default setup uses a 3×3 grid, with numpad keys mapped to gravities for moving windows. Strict tagging assigns windows to virtual desktops called views whose tags match, even when another view is active. A configurable settings file covers focus behavior, window sizing, and gravity tiling. subtle includes a built-in system tray, extendable panel, customizable keyboard and mouse actions, and a command-line client. Ruby scripting is central: Ruby sublets can provide panel information or actions, and the bundled sur command installs community-contributed sublets. Xinerama and XRandR multihead setups are supported. The project lists EWMH, ICCCM, MWM, and XDG Base Directory compliance. Installation requires Ruby, Rake, and X11, with package or build instructions for several Linux distributions. Code is distributed under GNU GPLv2.

Who it suits

subtle suits Linux users who want keyboard-oriented manual tiling, tagged virtual desktops, and Ruby-based customization. It also fits multihead setups using Xinerama or XRandR.

What it does well

Free plan for Linux users
Customizable 3×3 gravity grid
Tagged virtual desktop views
Ruby sublets extend panel functions
Xinerama and XRandR support

What to know first

Requires Ruby, Rake, and X11
Linux platform only
Manual configuration is required

Verdict

subtle provides manual tiling with detailed grid, tagging, scripting, and multihead controls. Its Linux-only platform and listed dependencies matter when choosing a window manager.

Facts from subtle's own pages

Built-in tools: Features include a system tray, an extendable panel, customizable key and mouse actions, and a command-line client. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Compatibility: The project lists EWMH, ICCCM, MWM, and XDG Base Directory compliance. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Customization: The project documents a configurable settings file, including options for focus behavior, window sizing, and gravity tiling. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Dependencies: The install page lists Ruby 1.9 or later, Rake 0.8 or later, and X11 6.8.2 or later as dependencies. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Display support: The feature list includes multihead support through Xinerama and XRandR. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Extensions: Users can install community-contributed sublets with the bundled sur command; sublets can add panel information and actions. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Features: The listed features include a built-in system tray, an extendable panel, customizable keyboard and mouse actions, and a command-line client. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Installation: The install page describes packages or installation instructions for Arch Linux, Debian, Exherbo, Gentoo, openSUSE, and Ubuntu. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
License: The project says its code can be distributed under the GNU GPLv2. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Maker: The site credits Christoph Kappel, and his about page says he is a software engineering team manager and experienced developer and software architect. · unexist.blog, 10 Oct 2026
Multihead: The feature list states support for Xinerama and XRandR multihead setups. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Product: subtle is a manual tiling window manager that divides the screen into customizable slots called gravities. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Scripting: The project describes its focus as scripting and lists Ruby support. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Standards: The feature list states compliance with EWMH, ICCCM, MWM, and the XDG Base Directory specification. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Support: The project directs users with problems to its FAQ, bug tracker, and forum. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Tagging: subtle maps windows to virtual desktops called views according to matching tags, regardless of the active view. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026
Window management: Its strict tagging maps windows to virtual desktops called views that have matching tags. · subtle.de, 9 Oct 2026
Window placement: The default configuration uses a 3×3 grid and maps each gravity to a numpad key for moving windows. · subtle.de, 10 Oct 2026

Where subtle stands on Freedom251

Window Management Software#39 of 65