🪟 MicWM (Minimalist C Window Manager)

MicWM is an ultra-lightweight, spartan window manager written in pure C using the Xlib library. It’s designed for speed, zero bloat, and total user control.

"Because RAM is for processing, not for desktop animations."

🚀 Features

• Featherweight: Memory footprint around 2 MB.
• Suckless Philosophy: Configured via config.h (requires recompilation).
• Dynamic Status Bar: Real-time updates (Clock, RAM, etc.) via xsetroot.
• Custom Autostart: Dedicated ~/.autoconfigscriptmicwm script for wallpapers and startup apps.
• Brutal Management: Uses XKillClient for aggressive process termination to save resources.
• The Glow: A border that can have a color selected from the config.h file.
• Option to change the sound level and brightness: As in other systems, use the f keys.
• Blocking and unblocking windows: Lock and unlock apps to remove the cursor from apps that grab the cursor or to simply keep it out of the way.

🛠️ Installation

1. Dependencies Install X11 libraries and build tools:

sudo apt install libx11-dev gcc make feh x11-xserver-utils xterm brightnessctl alsa-utils

2. Build and Install

make
sudo make install

The installer automatically creates a template autostart script in your home directory.

⌨️ Keybindings

Keybind	Action
Super + T	Launch Terminal (st)
Super + Q	Kill active window (Brutal/Instant)
Super + Shift + F	Fullscreen Mode (No borders)
Super + Shift + W	Windowed Mode (800x600, Centered)
Super + Shift + Q	Exit MicWM (Return to TTY)
Super + Left Click	Move Window
Super + Right Click	Resize Window
Super + D	Lock and Unlock Window

⚙️ Configuration & Autostart

• Appearance: Edit config.h to change colors (HEX), border width, or the default terminal. Run make && sudo make install to apply.
• Wallpaper & Status: Edit ~/.autoconfigscriptmicwm. Uncomment the feh line and set the path to your image.

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💡 Pro-Tips

1. Running apps as a specific user

If you are logged in as root (e.g., in a TTY) but want to launch applications that belong to your regular user (to keep config files clean and avoid permission issues), use the following command inside your MicWM terminal:

sudo -u yourusername program_name

Example: sudo -u oem xterm or sudo -u oem bash /home/oem/script.sh.

2. Fix "Permission Denied" on TTY

If you can't start the GUI without sudo, allow non-root users to run the X server:

sudo dpkg-reconfigure xserver-xorg-legacy
# Select "Anybody"

3. Starting the Session

Launch from a clean TTY (e.g., Ctrl+Alt+F3):

xinit /usr/local/bin/micwm -- :1

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📜 License

The GUI is open source, so you can compile it any way you like, but it is not for distribution under your own name.

With respect, Kamil Malicki