4pane

4pane

4pane is an open-source tiling window manager for Linux. It arranges open application windows in a grid-like layout, allowing efficient use of screen space. Useful for programmers, developers, and power users.
4pane image
tiling opensource linux window-management

4pane: Open-Source Tiling Window Manager

An open-source tiling window manager for Linux, ideal for programmers, developers, and power users who want to efficiently use their screen space.

What is 4pane?

4pane is an open-source tiling window manager for Linux operating systems. It automatically arranges open application windows in a grid-like layout, dividing the screen space into resizable frames or panes.

This allows for an efficient use of screen real estate as window contents can occupy the entire pane space, eliminating the need for decorations. Panes can be split or merged on the fly for flexible window management.

4pane follows keyboard-driven workflows, making it well-suited for programmers, developers, and power users who need to manage multiple application windows simultaneously. Its minimalist design philosophy does away with many graphical user interface elements.

Some of the features offered by 4pane include custom keybindings, flexible pane arrangements (horizontal, vertical, grid layouts), pane splitting, merging and resizing, and multiple desktop workspaces. It aims to improve productivity via efficient window management.

4pane is written in C and runs on Linux using the X Window System. It is lightweight, customizable and supports most Linux desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, Xfce, etc. The source code is available on GitHub.

4pane Features

Features

  1. Tiling window manager
  2. Automatic window tiling
  3. Keyboard shortcuts for window navigation
  4. Customizable layouts and configurations
  5. Support for multiple monitors
  6. Minimalist aesthetic

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Efficient use of screen space

Improved productivity and multitasking

Customizable to user needs

Lightweight and fast

Works well with keyboard-driven workflows

Cons

Steep learning curve

Limited configuration options compared to other tiling WMs

Not designed for touchscreens

Less flexibility than floating WMs


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