niri 25.11 Wayland Compositor: New Alt-Tab Switcher & Window Animations

Introduction

The niri 25.11 update brings significant workflow improvements to this scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor. This release focuses on enhancing user experience with a new Alt-Tab switcher, smoother animations, and better hardware compatibility, making it a compelling option for Linux users seeking a modern window manager.

Enhanced Window Management

The standout feature is the new Alt-Tab recent windows switcher with live previews. Window titles now fade during selection, and for privacy, windows blocked from screencasts appear as black rectangles with hidden titles. This thoughtful approach balances functionality with user privacy concerns.

Improved Visual Experience

Window transitions to and from full-screen are now fully animated, eliminating the previous jarring effect. This creates a more polished visual experience that aligns with modern desktop environment expectations. The update also introduces Wayland-native maximize functionality, accessible via the maximize button or double-clicking the title bar.

Configuration and Compatibility

niri 25.11 offers greater configuration flexibility, allowing layout sections to be overridden for specific outputs and named workspaces. Users can include additional configuration files for better management. Hardware compatibility expands with DisplayLink dock support, particularly benefiting Asahi Mac users. The update also reduces screen blanking and adds custom output modes.

Pros and Cons

Advantages

• New Alt-Tab switcher with live window previews
• Smooth window animations for better visual experience
• Enhanced privacy features for screencast blocking
• Improved hardware compatibility with DisplayLink support
• Greater configuration flexibility for advanced users
• Wayland-native maximize functionality
• Better screen reader accessibility features

Disadvantages

• Primarily benefits advanced Linux users
• Limited appeal for traditional desktop users
• Steeper learning curve than basic window managers

Conclusion

niri 25.11 represents a significant step forward for this scrollable-tiling Wayland compositor. With its new Alt-Tab switcher, improved animations, and enhanced configuration options, it offers Linux users a more polished and functional virtual desktop experience. The update demonstrates the project's commitment to both usability and privacy, making it worth exploring for those interested in modern Linux system optimization.