Quick Intro

This was very much a passion project since I didn't want to install a whole new window manager or mess around with existing linux based window managers that were overly complicated. All I wanted was to tile my open windows into columns with the press of a key.

Alas Columnar! A stupid simple tiling-window-manager:

1. F7: tiles all open windows (ignoring minimized)
2. F8: swap active window to center tile
3. F9: minimizes active window
4. F10: exits app

Tip

This was built for my needs on a 49" ultrawide monitor. If anyone wants to add more functionality, improve it for smaller screens, or fix a bug? feel free to send a pull request!

Installation

1. clone this repo to your home directory via: git clone https://github.com/antoniofs23/Columnar.git
2. In app directory run the INSTALL.sh file (first make it executable via chmod +x INSTALL.sh)

Caution

the install file assumes python is already installed (which it normally is) if not python3 is required prior to running INSTALL.sh
Built for GNOME on X11, will not work on wayland as it requires xdotools which there's no alternative for as far as i know

running the app

The app should auto-start on login. However, it can also be run through the columnar terminal command

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The app lives on your top-menu-bar:

• The app is on by deafult and can be seen on your linux panel
• To exit press F10
  • this removes the icon
  • to restart run the columnar command on your terminal

App functionality-walkthrough

Press F7 to tile open windows:

Press F9 to minimize a window:

Press F7 again to re-tile ignoring minimized windows

Press F8 to swap the active window with the center window (if num of tiles is even then moves to left-center)

You can always press F7 to re-tile after mninizing or closing some windows. That should cover everything!