The Niri 25.05 composite server has been released. It implements a tiling layout method in the style of the GNOME extension PaperWM, in which windows are grouped into an infinitely scrolling ribbon on the screen. Opening a new window expands the ribbon, and previously added windows do not change their size. The project is based on the Wayland protocol, but allows you to run X11 applications using the Xwayland DDX server. The project code is written in Rust and is distributed under the GPLv3 license. Packages are generated for Fedora, NixOS, Arch Linux and FreeBSD.
The fundamental difference between Niri and PaperWM is that each monitor is assigned its own window strip, which does not intersect with the strips on other monitors (in PaperWM, separate work with monitors cannot be implemented due to the binding to global window coordinates in GNOME Shell). Niri supports HiDPI and can work on systems with several GPUs (for example, hybrid systems with a discrete video card and an integrated GPU). There is a built-in interface for creating screenshots and recording screencasts, a feature of which is the ability to exclude individual windows with confidential information from recording.
Virtual desktops in Niri are dynamically created and, similar to GNOME, are arranged vertically (the window ribbon rotates horizontally, while the desktop ribbon rotates vertically). Each monitor can display an independent set of virtual desktopsYou can use touchpad gestures to switch between desktops and windows. When you disconnect a monitor, the virtual desktop layout is remembered and transferred to the remaining monitor, and when you return the monitor, it is restored to its original state. Configuration is performed via a configuration file, allowing you to change parameters such as border width, margins, display modes, and window sizes. Changes made to the configuration file are applied automatically without restarting the composite server.
In the new version:
- An overview mode has been added for navigating virtual desktops and the windows open in them. The mode is activated by moving the cursor to the upper left corner or by sliding four fingers on the touchpad, after which the scale decreases and a ribbon of available virtual desktops and the windows open in them is displayed. Windows can be rearranged or moved between desktops using the mouse or on-screen gestures.
- Expanded capabilities for creating screencasts and screen sharing. Added the ability to dynamically select an object for recording a screencast - initially an empty video stream is created, which can be switched to capture the active window or the entire screen on the current monitor. Support for recording the output of full-screen applications in the form of a virtual window has been implemented.
- The screenshot interface now includes the ability to select a snapshot area using a graphics tablet or touch screen. A separate button for creating a screenshot has been added to the bottom panel.
- Added the ability to highlight windows that require special attention. Such windows are highlighted with a colored frame (the color is set via the urgent-color setting) and are provided with a separate indicator in the panel.
- The capabilities of the IPC interface used for interaction between external systems and the composite have been expanded. serverAdded commands: "niri msg pick-window" (returns the ID of the window the user clicked on) and "niri msg pick-color" (returns the color of the selected pixel).
- Added actions with windows: focus-monitor, move-window-to-monitor, move-column-to-monitor, focus-column, move-column-to-index.
- Added settings for input devices: disable tap-and-drag, disable touch screens, change modifier key, select trackpad orientation, enable Num Lock on startup.
- Improved efficiency of rendering windows into intermediate textures (offscreening), which are subject to additional processing (for example, layering) before output to the monitor.
Source: opennet.ru
