explaingit

sidorares/tiles

Analysis updated 2026-07-18 · repo last pushed 2013-11-04

JavaScriptAudience · developerComplexity · 3/5DormantSetup · moderate

TLDR

A minimal, code-based window manager for Linux written in JavaScript, letting you arrange your open windows without a full desktop environment.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Manages window layout
      Replaces heavy desktop
      Lightweight and minimal
    Tech stack
      JavaScript
      X11
      Xephyr testing
    Use cases
      Custom Linux setup
      Nested X testing
      Session startup tool
    Audience
      Linux enthusiasts
      Systems developers

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Replace a heavy desktop environment like GNOME with a minimal, script-driven window manager.

USE CASE 2

Test window manager changes in a nested X display using Xephyr before using them for real.

USE CASE 3

Set tiles to launch automatically at login for a lightweight daily driver desktop.

USE CASE 4

Study a small, hackable window manager codebase to learn how X11 window management works.

What is it built with?

JavaScriptX11Xephyr

How does it compare?

sidorares/tiles3rd-eden/ircb.ioa15n/a15n
LanguageJavaScriptJavaScriptJavaScript
Last pushed2013-11-042016-11-162019-04-07
MaintenanceDormantDormantDormant
Setup difficultymoderateeasyeasy
Complexity3/52/52/5
Audiencedeveloperdevelopergeneral

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · moderate Time to first run · 30min

Requires a Linux machine with X11 and Xephyr for testing before real use.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Help me set up tiles as my login session window manager on Ubuntu.
Prompt 2
Show me how to test the tiles window manager inside a nested Xephyr display before installing it for real.
Prompt 3
I want to add keyboard shortcuts to this JavaScript window manager. Where should I start in the codebase?
Prompt 4
Explain how a minimal X11 window manager like tiles decides where to position new windows.

Frequently asked questions

What is tiles?

A minimal, code-based window manager for Linux written in JavaScript, letting you arrange your open windows without a full desktop environment.

What language is tiles written in?

Mainly JavaScript. The stack also includes JavaScript, X11, Xephyr.

Is tiles actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2013-11-04).

How hard is tiles to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated moderate, with roughly 30min to a first successful run.

Who is tiles for?

Mainly developer.

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