A configurable Wayland desktop

Download · Install · Configure · Documentation

Ferese is a Linux desktop built in Rust with Smithay. It includes a window manager, desktop shell, Settings and a lock screen, with shared configuration and theming. Choose a layout per workspace and configure the desktop through Settings or a KDL file.

Beta: 0.1.0-beta has packages for Fedora 44 and Arch Linux on x86_64. This README and the wiki describe main.

Screenshots

Using Ferese

• Use scrolling columns, tree tiling, floating windows and tabbed window groups.
• Arrange panel items and groups, place the panel at the top or bottom, and choose its style.
• Follow command and build progress in the panel with Live Activities.
• Set up binding modes for resizing, launching apps and other shortcut groups.
• Change themes, wallpapers, blur and animation settings across the desktop. Configuration edits apply live. Invalid edits leave the last working configuration active.
• Manage displays, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and audio from Settings and Control Center. Multiple monitors, fractional scaling and monitor mirroring are supported.
• Annotate screenshots, share a window or display, and record a monitor or selected region with audio.

The feature roadmap tracks implemented features and remaining work.

Install

Download the package for your distribution from Releases, then follow the package installation instructions. The release notes list the beta's limitations.

To build the current development version, install the build dependencies and run these commands as your normal user:

git clone https://github.com/ferese-wm/ferese.git
cd ferese
./scripts/install.sh

Once installed, log out and select Ferese at your login screen, or run ferese-session from a local TTY. You can also try a nested preview inside your existing Wayland desktop.

Configure

Open Control Center → Settings or edit ~/.config/ferese/config.kdl. The configuration reference and example config cover appearance, layouts, displays, window rules and startup apps.

First shortcuts

Super is usually the Windows key. Change shortcuts and gestures in Settings → Shortcuts.

Control	Action
Super + Enter	Open a terminal
Super + H / J / K / L	Focus left / down / up / right
Super + Tab	Open overview
Super + M	Switch scrolling / tree layout
Super + Shift + E	Ask to log out

See all shortcuts and gestures for resizing, grouping windows, screenshots and workspace navigation.

Development and bug reports

Development instructions cover building, tests and hardware checks. To report a bug, include steps to reproduce it, your version or commit, relevant logs, and whether you ran a nested preview or a direct session.