Awesome Shells: A list of Desktop shells for Wayland Compositors
Posted by domsch1988@reddit | linux | View on Reddit | 20 comments
So, since r/unixporn just removed the post, i thought i'd try here. Recently, i have seen a lot of "Shells" popping up. Basically complete Desktop Environments build around different Wayland Compositors. I thought it might be interesting to have a list with a bit of a support matrix and some screenshots, so here it is:
https://codeberg.org/domsch1988/awesome_shells
I'm currently using DMS so i have pretty limited experience with the other shells, so feel free to add/correct Information.
I have this Repository mirrored on Github, but i can't get the images to render bigger. Codeberg looks nicer. But if you want to create PR's, github is fine too: https://github.com/domsch1988/awesome_shells?tab=readme-ov-file
HappyAngrySquid@reddit
These are the easiest way to get a decent Niri desktop experience. Very little tinkering, and you’re up and running. On the other hand, DMS uses over 2GB RAM on my machine vs stock Niri’s 700MB.
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
Not sure where your 2GB are coming from. Mine used around 500-700MB with one or two Applications running. 2GB seems excessive.
SouthEastSmith@reddit
Back in the day, even more than distro-hopping, we used to desktop-hop. And the website "Window Managers for X" was crucial for seeking new desktop and window-manager environments to try. It was important and maybe yours will be too.
Note: On your github site, the Shell-name could also be the link to get there. It would save you a column for other stuff.
Mordiken@reddit
I remember that way back in the days of GNOME 1.X and early 2.X people used to use all sorts of window managers like Enlightenment, Fluxbox, Sawfish, Afterstep, etc, before GNOME created Metacity and standardized around that.
txturesplunky@reddit
pls add mangoWC
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
It's already on the table
txturesplunky@reddit
sorry, i must have been really tired
githman@reddit
Actually, great porn. I can't imagine myself using any of these, but the screenshots are sweet and not only because of wallpapers.
nickname1917@reddit
what is the laziest way to test dms + niri (or dms + sway)?
I used the instructions on dms site for fedora 43 and no way to start it, just a blank screen
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
Do you have the "dms run" command as an Autostart in your niri config.
bubblegumpuma@reddit
If it were easily available on more distributions than PostmarketOS, I would pitch the Wayland version of their SXMO environment.
Also, I would say that LXQT's Wayland session counts, since they are not making their own compositor, and they explicitly support multiple Wayland compositors in their provided configuration files.
NeonVoidx@reddit
why is noctalia a question mark for hyprland, I use it daily
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
Because they only provide official Documentation for Niri. I wasn't able to confirm if everything (Workspace indicators and such) work correctly under Hyprland.
Maybe i need to distinguish "works" and "officially supported" in some way.
NeonVoidx@reddit
it's officially supported
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
Is that Information available somewhere? There docs only list instructions for Niri
NeonVoidx@reddit
https://github.com/noctalia-dev/noctalia-shell?tab=readme-ov-file#%EF%B8%8F-wayland-compositors
xTeixeira@reddit
Did you read the post?
Unclear-Direction@reddit
Cool. I honestly didn't know this was a thing.
Any particular reason why you've left out Sway, and Wayfire?
IngwiePhoenix@reddit
This reminds me that I haven't checked in on Wayfire in forever... it was the only Wayland shell that had the kind of desktop magnifier I wanted (keyboard + mouse shortcuts to zoom in and out). Thank you for that list, will be fun to try what works :)
domsch1988@reddit (OP)
Wayfire being only one of two actual floating compositors had it's draw for we. In the end, it was to much gaudi for my taste and i went with labwc, as i knew it's configuration from openbox. But Wayfire always looked super interesting.