--- title: "River alternative. Introduction to River: A Minimalistic and Keyboard-Driven Tiling Window Manager" description: River is a minimalistic, keyboard-driven tiling window manager that needs manual configuration. SMBAct is a cross-platform tiling window manager and switcher. canonical: https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/river-alternative-introduction-to-river-a-minimalistic-and-keyboard-driven-tiling-window-manager/ date: 2023-06-27 locale: en --- # River alternative. Introduction to River: A Minimalistic and Keyboard-Driven Tiling Window Manager > Markdown version of https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/river-alternative-introduction-to-river-a-minimalistic-and-keyboard-driven-tiling-window-manager/ > Same content as the HTML page without navigation, styling or scripts. Cite the HTML URL. > Site structure and the full page list for agents: https://smblob.com/llms.txt River is a minimalistic, keyboard-driven tiling window manager that needs manual configuration. SMBAct is a cross-platform tiling window manager and switcher. River is a dynamic tiling Wayland compositor (it does not run on X11) that follows a minimalistic and lightweight design philosophy. It aims to provide a simple and efficient window management solution with a focus on keyboard-driven workflows. River is written in Zig and is highly configurable at runtime, allowing users to tailor it to their specific needs. Here are some key features and characteristics of the River window manager: - Tiling window management: River employs a tiling window management approach, automatically arranging windows in a non-overlapping manner. This maximizes screen space utilization and enables efficient multitasking by eliminating window overlap. - Keyboard-driven workflow: River emphasizes keyboard-driven navigation and control. It provides customizable keybindings for various actions such as window resizing, moving, focusing, and workspace management. This allows users to perform tasks without relying heavily on a mouse or graphical user interface. - Runtime configuration: River is configured at runtime with the riverctl command, usually from an executable init script that can be written in any language. Users define keybindings, window rules and other settings this way and can change them without restarting River. - Dynamic tiling: River supports dynamic tiling, allowing windows to be resized and repositioned on the fly. Users can change the layout of windows and adapt it to their workflow requirements in real-time, enhancing productivity and flexibility. - Lightweight and minimalistic: River is designed to be lightweight and minimalistic, prioritizing efficiency and simplicity. It has minimal resource requirements, resulting in fast and responsive performance, even on older or less powerful hardware. - Extensibility: Window layouts in River are provided by separate layout generator programs (such as the bundled rivertile), so users can swap in or write their own layout logic. This extensibility enables users to customize and enhance the window manager to suit their specific workflow and preferences. River is well-suited for users who prefer a minimalistic and keyboard-driven window management experience. Its focus on simplicity, configurability, and lightweight performance makes it an appealing choice for those seeking an efficient and customizable tiling window manager. River primarily relies on manual configuration through editing its configuration file, which might be challenging for users who prefer graphical configuration tools. Unlike some other window managers that offer user-friendly graphical interfaces for customization, River may require more technical expertise and comfort with editing configuration files directly. If River isn’t meeting your needs and you’re in search of an alternative, consider checking out SMBAct. This cross-platform solution (Windows, macOS and Linux) provides a user video tutorial, excellent customer support, regular updates, and continuous improvements. Beyond functioning as a tiling window manager, SMBAct also serves as a capable window switcher. Explore SMBAct as a potential option to enhance your window management experience. [Here you can find detailed information about SMBAct](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/) ![How to tile a screen with four eights and two quarters windows](https://files.smblob.com/smbact/alternatives/tiled_windows_two_quarters_four_eights_layout_option_two.webp) ## Related articles - [Amethyst alternative](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/amethyst-alternative-overview-of-the-amethyst-window-manager/): Amethyst is a keyboard-driven tiling window manager for macOS. Its features, drawbacks, and why cross-platform manager and switcher SMBAct is an alternative. - [Ratpoison alternative](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/ratpoison-alternative-ratpoison-a-keyboard-centric-window-manager/): Ratpoison is a lightweight, keyboard-driven tiling window manager for Unix-like systems. SMBAct is a user-friendly, cross-platform window manager and switcher. - [Yabai alternative](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/yabai-alternative-introduction-to-yabai---a-window-manager-for-macos/): Yabai is a tiling window manager for macOS configured from the command line. SMBAct is a user-friendly, cross-platform window manager and switcher alternative. - [Xmonad alternative](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/xmonad-alternative-features-and-limitations-of-xmonad-window-manager/): Xmonad is a keyboard-driven tiling window manager configured in Haskell. SMBAct is an easier, cross-platform tiling window manager and window switcher. - [bspwm alternative](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/bspwm-alternative-features-and-considerations-of-bspwm-window-manager/): bspwm is a minimal, keyboard-driven tiling window manager using binary space partitioning. SMBAct is a user-friendly alternative with window switching. Tags: [tiling window management](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/tags/tiling-window-management/), [keyboard-driven workflow](https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/tags/keyboard-driven-workflow/) ## Related - HTML version of this page: https://smblob.com/products/smbact/docu/alternatives/window-manager/river-alternative-introduction-to-river-a-minimalistic-and-keyboard-driven-tiling-window-manager/ - Site map for agents: https://smblob.com/llms.txt