twm

twm, also known as the Tab Window Manager, is a simple and lightweight X11 window manager. Developed by Tom LaStrange in the late 1980s, twm is one of the earliest window managers for X Window System. It provides a basic graphical user interface for managing windows on Unix-like systems.

twm features a minimalistic design focused on functionality and performance. It uses a tabbed interface, where window titles are displayed on a single row at the top of the screen and can easily be switched between. Each window has its own control buttons for resizing, moving, and closing.

The configuration of twm is done through a plain text file, typically located at ~/.twmrc. This file allows users to customize various aspects of twm's appearance and behavior, such as font settings, colors, keybindings, and startup applications.

twm supports multiple desktops or workspaces, allowing users to organize their windows into different virtual screens. This feature enables a more organized and clutter-free working environment.

Despite its simplicity, twm provides some advanced features like window shading, which allows users to roll up windows and save screen space when not in use. It also supports iconification, where windows can be minimized to small icons for quick access later.

Being a command line tool, twm can be started by running the command "twm" in a terminal or added to the X startup script to be automatically launched at system boot. Its lightweight nature makes it particularly suitable for low-resource systems or users who prefer a bare-bones window manager.

Although twm lacks many modern conveniences and eye-candy effects found in more recent window managers, its simplicity and efficiency make it a popular choice among minimalist enthusiasts and those seeking a straightforward window management solution.