https://github.com/antoniofs23/columnar

A simple linux window-manager that tiles open windows into equally sized columns. Provides hotkeys to auto-tile / swap a window to center/ minimize a window
https://github.com/antoniofs23/columnar

gtk linux-app open-source tiling-window tiling-window-manager

Last synced: 6 months ago
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A simple linux window-manager that tiles open windows into equally sized columns. Provides hotkeys to auto-tile / swap a window to center/ minimize a window

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/antoniofs23/columnar
• Owner: antoniofs23
• License: gpl-3.0
• Created: 2023-12-04T20:36:45.000Z (over 2 years ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2024-01-31T23:58:32.000Z (over 2 years ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-01-22T16:23:40.430Z (over 1 year ago)
• Topics: gtk, linux-app, open-source, tiling-window, tiling-window-manager
• Language: Shell
• Homepage:
• Size: 137 KB
• Stars: 0
• Watchers: 1
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • License: LICENSE

Awesome Lists containing this project

README

          
[![Python application](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/actions/workflows/python-app.yml/badge.svg)](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/actions/workflows/python-app.yml)

# Quick Intro

This was very much a passion project since I didn't want to install a whole new window manager or mess around with existing linux based window managers that were overly complicated. All I wanted was to tile my open windows into columns with the press of a key. 

Alas **Columnar!** A stupid simple tiling-window-manager:

1. `F7`: tiles all open windows (ignoring minimized)

2. `F8`: swap active window to center tile

3. `F9`: minimizes active window

4. `F10`: exits app

>[!TIP]

>This was built for my needs on a 49" ultrawide monitor. If anyone wants to add more functionality, improve it for smaller screens, or fix a bug? feel free to send a pull request!

## Installation

1. clone this repo to your home directory via:  `git clone https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar.git`

2. In app directory run the `INSTALL.sh` file (first make it executable via `chmod +x INSTALL.sh`)

>[!CAUTION]

>*the install file assumes python is already installed (which it normally is)* if not python3 is required prior to running `INSTALL.sh` 


>Built for GNOME on `X11`, will not work on `wayland` as it requires `xdotools` which there's no alternative for as far as i know

### running the app

The app should auto-start on login.

However, it can also be run through the `columnar` terminal command

---

The app lives on your top-menu-bar:

![Screenshot from 2023-12-29 14-40-08](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/assets/39067846/0d0917b2-53ab-4b2b-9b53-bdf8ce719021)

- The app is on by deafult and can be seen on your linux panel

- To exit press `F10`

  - this removes the icon

  - to restart run the `columnar` command on your terminal 

# App functionality-walkthrough

Press `F7` to tile open windows:

![Screencast from 12-12-2023 08_40_52 PM](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/assets/39067846/3de5a45f-81e2-4fac-8121-066edee2e4e7)

Press  `F9` to minimize a window:

![Screencast from 12-12-2023 08_50_15 PM](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/assets/39067846/96c08ce9-fdf0-457c-9a52-303ff03e3405)

Press `F7` again to re-tile ignoring minimized windows

![Screencast from 12-12-2023 08_50_33 PM](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/assets/39067846/dce00eef-2ede-4bb5-9424-c4e4ae551f70)

Press `F8` to swap the active window with the center window (if num of tiles is even then moves to left-center)

![Screencast from 12-12-2023 08_51_00 PM](https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar/assets/39067846/9faca0eb-f869-4fed-b3ec-60199168bf20)

You can always press `F7` to re-tile after mninizing or closing some windows. That should cover everything!