yabai

Pros of bspwm

• More lightweight and minimalist approach
• Highly customizable through simple shell scripts
• Better support for multi-monitor setups

Cons of bspwm

• Limited to X11 environments (no Wayland support)
• Steeper learning curve for configuration
• Less integrated with macOS-specific features

Code Comparison

bspwm configuration example:

#! /bin/sh

bspc monitor -d I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X

bspc config border_width         2
bspc config window_gap          12

bspc config split_ratio          0.52
bspc config borderless_monocle   true
bspc config gapless_monocle      true

yabai configuration example:

# global settings
yabai -m config mouse_follows_focus          off
yabai -m config focus_follows_mouse          off
yabai -m config window_placement             second_child
yabai -m config window_topmost               off
yabai -m config window_opacity               off
yabai -m config window_shadow                on

Both bspwm and yabai are tiling window managers, but they target different operating systems and have distinct approaches. bspwm is designed for Linux systems using X11, while yabai is specifically for macOS. bspwm offers a more minimalist and highly customizable experience, while yabai provides tighter integration with macOS features and a more user-friendly configuration process.

Pros of i3

• Mature and stable project with a large user base and extensive documentation
• Highly customizable through a simple configuration file
• Supports multiple monitors natively

Cons of i3

• Limited to X11 window system, not compatible with Wayland
• Less visually appealing default appearance compared to modern desktop environments
• Steeper learning curve for new users

Code Comparison

i3 configuration example:

bar {
    status_command i3status
    position top
}

bindsym $mod+Return exec i3-sensible-terminal
bindsym $mod+Shift+q kill

yabai configuration example:

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding 10
yabai -m config left_padding 10
yabai -m config right_padding 10
yabai -m config bottom_padding 10

i3 focuses on a text-based configuration file, while yabai uses command-line arguments for setup. i3's configuration is more human-readable, but yabai's approach allows for easier programmatic control.

Both projects aim to provide efficient tiling window management, but i3 is designed for Linux systems using X11, while yabai is specifically for macOS. i3 offers a more complete window management solution out of the box, whereas yabai requires additional tools like skhd for full functionality.

Pros of herbstluftwm

• More customizable and flexible due to its scriptable nature
• Supports multiple monitors out of the box
• Lighter on system resources

Cons of herbstluftwm

• Steeper learning curve for configuration
• Less intuitive for macOS users
• Limited native integration with macOS features

Code Comparison

herbstluftwm configuration example:

hc keybind $Mod-Shift-q quit
hc keybind $Mod-Shift-r reload
hc keybind $Mod-w close
hc keybind $Mod-Return spawn ${TERMINAL:-xterm}

yabai configuration example:

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding    20
yabai -m config bottom_padding 20
yabai -m config left_padding   20
yabai -m config right_padding  20

Both projects are tiling window managers, but herbstluftwm is designed for X11-based systems (primarily Linux), while yabai is specifically for macOS. herbstluftwm offers more flexibility through its scriptable nature, allowing for complex configurations. yabai, on the other hand, provides a more streamlined experience for macOS users with better integration of native features. The code examples show the difference in configuration syntax, with herbstluftwm using a more verbose approach and yabai using a simpler command-line interface.

Pros of Wayfire

• Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, FreeBSD)
• Wayland-based, offering better security and modern graphics stack
• Highly customizable with plugins and scripting support

Cons of Wayfire

• Limited to Wayland compositors, not compatible with X11
• Steeper learning curve for configuration and customization
• Less mature ecosystem compared to more established window managers

Code Comparison

Wayfire configuration (wayfire.ini):

[core]
plugins = alpha move resize command vswitch oswitch grid

Yabai configuration (yabairc):

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding 10

Key Differences

• Wayfire is a Wayland compositor, while Yabai is a tiling window manager for macOS
• Wayfire offers a more flexible plugin system, whereas Yabai focuses on tiling and window management
• Yabai integrates tightly with macOS, while Wayfire provides a more customizable environment across Linux distributions

Use Cases

• Wayfire: Linux users seeking a modern, customizable desktop environment
• Yabai: macOS users looking for advanced tiling window management capabilities

Pros of Sway

• Native Wayland compositor, offering better performance and modern graphics stack support
• More extensive documentation and larger community support
• Cross-platform compatibility (Linux, BSD)

Cons of Sway

• Limited to Wayland-compatible environments
• Steeper learning curve for configuration and customization
• Less integration with macOS-specific features

Code Comparison

Sway configuration example:

input "2:14:SynPS/2_Synaptics_TouchPad" {
    dwt enabled
    tap enabled
    natural_scroll enabled
    middle_emulation enabled
}

Yabai configuration example:

yabai -m config layout bsp
yabai -m config top_padding    20
yabai -m config bottom_padding 20
yabai -m config left_padding   20
yabai -m config right_padding  20

Sway focuses on Wayland-specific configurations, while Yabai uses a command-line interface for macOS window management. Sway's config file is more declarative, whereas Yabai relies on shell commands for setup.

Sway offers a complete Wayland compositor solution with broader Linux support, making it suitable for users seeking a full desktop environment replacement. Yabai, on the other hand, is tailored specifically for macOS, providing deep integration with the operating system's window management features.