Tofi

Free plan Linux

What Tofi is

Tofi is free, open-source Linux software for users of wlroots-based Wayland compositors such as Sway. It serves as a dmenu or rofi replacement for selecting menu options and launching applications. In its default mode, tofi reads choices from standard input and writes the selected choice to standard output. The tofi-run command lists executables in the user’s PATH, while tofi-drun lists applications from desktop files; either can be bound as a launcher in Sway configuration. Themes can use vertical or horizontal layouts, custom text colors, borders, and optional rounded corners. The project describes an ideal configured launch appearing within one frame, about 2 ms. Tofi uses Pango for font rendering by default, or HarfBuzz and Cairo when a font file is specified. It can be built on Arch, Fedora, and Debian/Ubuntu, and is available through the Arch User Repository. The MIT License permits use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing, and sale under its conditions.

Who it suits

Tofi suits Linux users running wlroots-based Wayland compositors, especially Sway users seeking a dmenu or rofi replacement. It also fits people who want command launching with configurable menu themes.

What it does well

Free and MIT-licensed
Runs on Linux Wayland compositors
Launches PATH executables and desktop applications
Configurable layouts, colors, borders, and corners
Sway launcher integration described

What to know first

Targets Wayland rather than general desktop environments
ASCII input may break non-ASCII searches
No file search capability
Requires building from source or AUR installation

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Tofi	MIT-licensed software · builds from source or installs through AUR	Free

As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Verdict

Tofi focuses on fast menu selection and application launching for wlroots-based Wayland setups. Its launcher commands, Sway integration, and theme controls make it relevant to Linux users with those requirements.

Facts from Tofi's own pages

Application launcher: The tofi-run command lists executables in the user's PATH, and tofi-drun lists applications from desktop files. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Display requirements: The project describes itself as a menu for Wayland and specifically targets wlroots-based compositors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Font rendering: By default tofi uses Pango for font rendering; specifying a font file lets it use HarfBuzz and Cairo directly instead. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Input limitation: Enabling ASCII input can speed startup, but the README cautions that searching for non-ASCII characters may then fail. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Intended audience: The project presents tofi as a dmenu/rofi replacement for users of wlroots-based Wayland compositors. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
License: Tofi is distributed under the MIT License, which grants permission to use, copy, modify, publish, distribute, sublicense, and sell copies subject to its conditions. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Linux distributions: The README provides build instructions for Arch, Fedora, and Debian/Ubuntu and says tofi is available in the Arch User Repository. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Menu input and output: By default, tofi reads menu options from stdin and prints the selection to stdout. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Performance: The README says that, when configured correctly, tofi can appear within a single frame, or about 2 ms in the ideal case. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Purpose: Tofi is a fast, simple dmenu/rofi replacement for wlroots-based Wayland compositors such as Sway. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Sway integration: The README describes binding tofi-run and tofi-drun as launchers in Sway configuration. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
Theming: Tofi supports configurable themes, including vertical or horizontal layouts, customizable text colors, borders, and optional rounded corners. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026