SWM(1) SWM(1)
NAME
SWM - a (S)mall (W)indow (M)anager for X11
SYNOPSIS
swm [options...]
DESCRIPTION
SWM is a Small Window Manager for X11. SWM is optimized for small
displays with a recommended minimum resolution of 640x480 pixels and
consumes less than 860k of RAM (depends on your configuration).
USAGE - MOUSE
Titlebar left-click
Raises window and moves it while the mouse button is pressed.
Titlebar middle-click (if SHADE is enabled)
Shades the window up/down.
Titlebar right-click
As above, but does not raise the window. Allows you to move
windows in background.
[x] Closebox left-click
Closes the window.
[x] Closebox middle-click
Lowers the window.
[x] Closebox right-click
Allows you to resize the window while the mouse button is
pressed.
[+] Maximizebox left-click
Resizes the window to full screen.
[+] Maximizebox middle-click
Does nothing in this release.
[+] Maximizebox right-click
If the window was maximized, this resizes the window to the
former size/position.
[#]/[s] Stickybox left-click (if GNOME is
Toggles the window sticky/unsticky.
[#]/[s] Stickybox middle-click (if GNOME is
Switches to the pevious desktop taking the window with you.
[#]/[s] Stickybox right-click (if GNOME is
Switches to the next desktop taking the window with you.
- 1 - Formatted: December 16, 2025
SWM(1) SWM(1)
Window border left-click
Resized the window while the mouse button is pressed, without
raising it.
Window border middle-click
Raises the window and moves it while the mouse button is pressed.
Window border right-click
Moves the window while the mouse button is pressed, without
raising it.
Root-window button 1|2|3
executes ~/.swm/button1, button2 or button3. If no other program
grabs the background.
USAGE - KEYBOARD
SWM functions can be enabled/disabled with Num-Lock, Caps-Lock or
Scroll-Lock. SWM will pass all received keys to the application
window if one of these locks is enabled.
Alt-Tab
Rises the next window.
Alt-F3 (if MWM compliance is enabled)
(Un)hides the titlebar
Alf-F4
Closes the window with the current input focus.
Ctrl-Tab (if GNOME is enabled)
Switches to the next desktop.
Alt-PageUp (if GNOME is enabled)
Raises the window to a layer above.
Alt-PageDown (if GNOME is enabled)
Lowers the window to a layer below.
OPTIONS
-display display
Run swm on the X11 display display.
BUGS
If you find some - mail me. :-))
AUTHOR
Robert Sperling <sperling@small-window-manager.de>.
- 2 - Formatted: December 16, 2025
