---
name: "scwm"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "scwm"
version: "0.99.6.1-2"
release: "Debian 2.2 (Potato)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/scwm"
---

# scwm(1)

Scheme Constraints Window Manager.

## NAME

scwm, scwmexec, scwmrepl - Scheme Constraints Window Manager.

## SYNOPSYS

scwm \[--display\|-d dpy\] \[--debug\]\[--expression\|-e expression\] \[--file\|-f rc\_file\] \[--single-screen\|-s\] \[--blackout\|-b\] \[--version\|-V\] \[--help\|-h\]

scwmexec expression

scwmrepl

## DESCRIPTION

**NOTE: THIS MAN PAGE IS INCOMPLETE!** You should refer to the online reference manual at:

http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/gjb/scwm-doc/

or use the included \`scwm.el' emacs mode and its interactive documentation features (very nice!).

**Scwm** is the Scheme Configurable Window Manager.  This is a highly dynamic and extensible window manager for the X Window System (based originally on  **fvwm2** , but now much enhanced) with Guile Scheme as the configuration/extension language.  Nearly all decorations can be changed at run-time or per-window, and eventually many decoration styles and additional features will be supported through dynamically loaded code.  A powerful protocol is provided for interacting with the window manager while it is running. Much more information is available in the  **scwm** info entry.

The  **scwm** command is used to start the window manager itself. **scwmexec** is used to pass a single command expression to the window manager, and prints the resulting output. **scwmrepl** starts an interactive session with the window manager.

## OPTIONS

- **-D**

  - **--debug**

  Enable lots of debugging messages.

- **-s**

  - **--single-screen**

  Run only on the first screen of the display.

- **-d**

  - **--display *dpy***

  Run on display *dpy*.

- **-f**

  - **--file *file***

  Read startup commands from the specified *file* instead of *.scwmrc* or *system.scwmrc*.

- **-e**

  - **--expression *expr***

  Evaluate Scheme expression *expr* instead of reading from = *.scwmrc* or *system.scwmrc*.  Multiple **-e** and **-f** options may be specified on a single command line and in this case will be processed in the order in which they were specified.

- **-i**

  - **--interactive**

  Starts **scwm** in interactive mode - the *.scwmrc* or *system.scwmrc* file is read as usual (unless of course there are **-f** or **-e** options.)

- **-b**

  - **--blackout**

  Blacks the screen out to hide the initial capture.

- **-V**

  - **--version**

  Prints the version and exits.

## LICENSE

Some files in scwm are derived from fvwm and therefore are subject to the following fvwm copyright and license terms. However, many files are entirely new and are under the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation instead. These terms are believed to be compatible with the GPL, thus the overall distribution terms are GPL.

*fvwm* is copyright 1988 by Evans and Sutherland Computer Corporation, Salt Lake City, Utah, and 1989 by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, All rights reserved.  It is also copyright 1993 and 1994 by Robert Nation.

Permission to use, copy, modify, and distribute this software and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is hereby granted, provided that the above copyright notice appear in all copies and that both that copyright notice and this permission notice appear in supporting documentation, and that the names of Evans & Sutherland and M.I.T. not be used in advertising in publicity pertaining to distribution of the software without specific, written prior permission.

ROBERT NATION, CHARLES HINES, EVANS & SUTHERLAND, AND M.I.T. DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO THIS SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS, IN NO EVENT SHALL EVANS & SUTHERLAND OR M.I.T. BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORTUOUS ACTION, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

## BUGS

See the BUGS file in the scwm distribution for some known ones.

## SEE ALSO

**guile**(**1**), **fvwm2**(**1**),

**info** entries for \`**scwm**'**,** \`**guile-ref**'**,** and \`**Scheme-R4RS**'**.**

\`**scwm.el**'**s** scwm-mode for Emacs\

Scwm web site:

**http://scwm.mit.edu/scwm/**

Reference manual:

**http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/gjb/scwm-doc/**

## AUTHORS

Greg J. Badros \<gjb@cs.washington.edu\>

Maciej Stachowiak \<mstachow@alum.mit.edu\>\
 http://www.cs.washington.edu/homes/

and more -- see THANKS file with distribution.