cargo build --release --locked -p ferese -p ferese-shell -p ferese-settings -p feresectl
target/release/ferese --backend nested --grant-effects --grant-shell-control -- \
  target/release/ferese-shell

Requirements (Fedora package names):

Rust 1.93+ and Cargo.
Build tools: gcc, gcc-c++, cmake, make, pkgconf-pkg-config.
Wayland and input: wayland-devel, libxkbcommon-devel, libinput-devel.
Graphics: libdrm-devel, mesa-libgbm-devel, mesa-libEGL-devel.
Session and fonts: systemd-devel, libseat-devel, fontconfig-devel.
Installation: desktop-file-utils, dbus.
Default terminal: foot (or configure another terminal).
Optional: zenity for wallpaper browsing, swayidle for idle actions, and swaylock or swaylock-effects for locking.

For a login-screen session alongside your existing desktop:

./scripts/install.sh

The installer preserves your configuration and keeps previous releases for rollback. Log out and select Ferese at the login screen. An upgrade does not replace the running compositor: log out and back in to activate it. See installation and recovery for prerequisites, session logs and rollback.

Get around

Built-in defaults (your configuration can override them):

Shortcut	Action
Super + Enter	Open a terminal
Super + H / J / K / L	Focus a window
Super + R	Cycle column width
Super + C	Center the focused column
Super + F	Maximize, keeping the bar and decorations
Super + Shift + F	True fullscreen
Super + Tab	Open workspace and window overview
Super + M	Switch scrolling / tree layout
Super + Shift + E	Log out immediately—save your work first

Make it yours

Open Control Center → Settings, or run ferese-settings. Advanced options live in ~/.config/ferese/config.toml (or under $XDG_CONFIG_HOME). Changes reload automatically. The complete configuration reference covers every supported option; the example config is a starting point.

Development

cargo test --workspace --locked
cargo fmt --all --check

Use release builds when evaluating animation and startup performance. RUST_LOG=ferese=debug enables detailed logs; FERESE_TRACE_PERFORMANCE=1 enables per-output performance summaries. Test hardware behavior on your own setup, especially suspend/resume and locking. Keep a working desktop session available while testing changes.