---
name: "subtle"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "subtle"
version: "0.11.3224-xi-2.2+b8"
release: "Debian 12 (Bookworm)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/subtle"
---

# subtle(1)

a grid-based manual tiling window manager

## NAME

**subtle** - a grid-based manual tiling window manager

## SYNOPSIS

**subtle** *OPTIONS*

## DESCRIPTION

**subtle** is a **manual** tiling window manager with a rather uncommon approach of tiling: Instead of relying on predefined layouts, subtle divides the screen into a grid with customizeable slots (called gravities). For better understanding, the default config uses a 3x3 grid and maps each gravity to one key of the numpad. With those keys, windows can be moved directly to the desired gravity - the same can be done with tagging rules in the config.

Another unique concept is the **strict** tagging: Unlike other tiling window managers, subtle doesn´t allow **weak** tagging and always maps windows to virtual desktops (called views) with matching tags, **regardless** of the current active view.

## OPTIONS

- •

  **-c**, **--config**=CONFIG\
   Load config

- •

  **-d**, **--display**=DISPLAY\
   Connect to DISPLAY

- •

  **-h**, **--help**\
   Show this help and exit

- •

  **-k**, **--check**\
   Check config syntax

- •

  **-n**, **--no-randr**\
   Disable RandR extension (required for Twinview)

- •

  **-r**, **--replace**\
   Replace current window manager

- •

  **-s**, **--sublets**=DIR\
   Load sublets from DIR

- •

  **-v**, **--version**\
   Show version info and exit

- •

  **-l**, **--level**=LEVEL\[,LEVEL\] Set logging levels

- •

  **-D**, **--debug**\
   Print debugging messages

-

  ## LOGLEVELS

**subtle** uses a loglevel system to distinguish between messages and to be able to turn certain messages off. The level can be set with the -l or --level= options, multiple values are comma separated without any whitespace.

- •

  **subtle -l ruby,subtlext**

- •

  **subtle --level=ruby,subtlext**

-

  Default levels:

- •

  **warnings** Warning messages

- •

  **sublet** Sublet warnings

- •

  **error** Error messages

- •

  **deprecated** Deprecation warnings

-

  Debugging levels:

- •

  **events** Information about handled events

- •

  **ruby** Ruby debugging messages

- •

  **xerror** X11 error messages

- •

  **subtlext** Debugging messages of subtlext

- •

  **subtle** Subsystem messages of subtle

- •

  **debug** General debugging messages

-

  ## GETTING STARTED

To get started with subtle just follow the install instructions, have a look in the **INSTALL** file in the tarball or check if there is a package for your distribution. If no package is available and you want to supply one you are welcome.

Next step after installing is configuring. **subtle** follows the **XDG** specifications, therefore can the default system config be found in *$XDG\_CONFIG\_DIRS/subtle* or in */etc/xdg/subtle*. If you prefer a user based config just copy the system config to *$XDG\_CONFIG\_HOME/subtle* or to *$HOME/.config/subtle*.

If you update the config please check it with **subtle -k** first before starting subtle.

Inside of **subtle** just press **Win+Return** to launch a xterm which usually starts at center gravity. Once you have a client you can play with gravites to get used to the system. It´s really easy and straight forward, just try the various combinations of **Win+Numpad** number.

## BUGS

Report bugs at http://subforge.org/projects/subtle/issues\
 Homepage: http://subtle.subforge.org

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright (c) Christoph Kappel *unexist@subforge.org*

## SEE ALSO

[subtle(1)](/subtle/1.md), [subtler(1)](/subtler/1.md), [subtlext(1)](/subtlext/1.md), [sur(1)](/sur/1.md), [surserver(1)](/surserver/1.md)