---
name: "pwm1"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "pwm"
version: "1.0.20010309-12"
release: "Debian 4.0 (Etch)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pwm1"
---

# pwm1(1)

an X11 window manager

## NAME

pwm - an X11 window manager

## SYNOPSIS

**pwm** *\[options\]*

## DESCRIPTION

PWM is a rather lightweight window manager that can have multiple client windows attached to a single frame. This feature helps keeping windows, especially the numerous xterms, organized.

## OPTIONS

- **-display host:display.screen**

  X display to manage

- **-cfgfile configfile**

  Config file to use instead of default

- **-onescreen**

  On X servers with multiple screens, manage only default screen, not all.

- **-help**

  Show help on command line options

- **-version**

  Show version

- **-about**

  Show about text

## KEYS

These are the default keybindings. **Mod1** depends on your system. On PC:s with XFree86 it is probably bound to the left alt key (**Alt\_L**). On Suns it is usually bound to the diamond keys (**Meta\_L**, **Meta\_R**). Use *[xmodmap(1x)](/xmodmap/1x.md)* to find out.

### Global keys

- **Mod1+Tab**

  Circulate through the list of windows

- **Mod1+Shift+Tab**

  Backwards circulate through the list of windows

- **Mod1+n**

  Go to workspace n, where n is 1-9 or 0.

- **Mod1+M**

  "Root menu"

- **Mod1+G**

  "Go to menu". Use this menu to select a window to activate.

- **Mod1+D**

  "Detach menu". Use this menu to detach a window from a group on current workspace.

- **Mod1+T**

  Toggle dock visibility

- **Mod1+E**

  Run an xterm

### Frame/window control keys

These are the keys used to manipulate active frame and client window. They mostly use Control+Shift modifier.

- **Mod1+Enter**

  Keyboard move/resize mode

- **Control+Shift+W**

  Close window

- **Control+Shift+X**

  Kill client owning active window

- **Control+Shift+S**

  Toggle shading of frame

- **Control+Shift+Z**

  Toggle stickiness of frame

- **Control+Shift+V**

  (Un)maximize vertically

- **Control+Shift+H**

  (Un)maximize horizontally

- **Control+Shift+M**

  (Un)maximize both vertically and horizontally

- **Control+Shift+R**

  Raise frame

- **Control+Shift+L**

  Lower frame

- **Control+Shift+A**

  "Attach menu". Use to attach window to the frame.

- **Control+Shift+O**

  "Window menu"

- **Control+Shift+N**

  Go to next window within frame

- **Control+Shift+P**

  Go to previous window within frame

- **Control+Shift+n**

  Goto n:th window within frame, where n is 1-9 or 0.

### Menus

These keys can be used in menus

- **Down or N**

  Next entry

- **Up or P**

  Previous entry

- **Right or Space**

  Enter submenu

- **Left or B**

  Leave submenu

- **Enter**

  Execute activated entry

- **Esc**

  Close menu

- **Z**

  Set the menu in "keep mode"

### Move/resize mode

These keys can be used while in move/resize mode.

- **Escape**

  Leave mode changes omitted.

- **Enter**

  Leave mode applying changes.

- **Right/Left/Down/Up**

  Move the frame to specific direction in bigger steps.

- **Mod1+Right/Left/Down/Up**

  Shrink/grow the frame in specific direction in bigger steps.

- **Mod1+Right/Left/Down/Up**

  Move the frame to specific direction by on pixel.

- **Mod1+Right/Left/Down/Up**

  Shrink/grow the frame in specific direction by minimum amount requested by application.

## FILES

- **/etc/X11/pwm/pwm.conf**

  System default configuration file

- **/etc/X11/pwm/look-\*.conf**

  Color scheme configuration files

- **/etc/X11/pwm/keys-\*.conf**

  Key binding configuration files

- **/etc/X11/pwm/buttons-\*.conf**

  Pointer (mouse) button binding configuration files

- **~/.pwm/pwm.conf**

  User default configuration file (overrides system default)

## SEE ALSO

The PWM home page, http://www.students.tut.fi/~tuomov/pwm/

**/usr/share/doc/pwm/config.txt.gz**

[**X**(1x)](/X/1x.md)

## AUTHOR

PWM was written by Tuomo Valkonen \<tuomov@cc.tut.fi\> with ideas and complaints from various people.