MLVWM (Macintosh-Like Virtual Window Manager) is an X11 window manager with a classic MacOS appearance. Its primary features include:
- Emulation of MacOS 7 & 8 menu bar & window decorations
- Optional multiple virtual desktops
- A main menu bar across the top of the screen, with:
- Configurable global and per-application menus
- Menu items trigger application functionality via keyboard shorcuts or commands
- An icon menu which shows all windows and supports:
- Switching desktops
- Selecting, hiding, and showing windows
- A balloon help menu
- The ability to "swallow" small windows into the menu bar
- Windows which support:
- Title bars with optional close, zoom, and shade buttons
- Resize handle
- Optional double-click to toggle window shade
- Drag as solid window or just outline
- Balloon help which shows X window information
- Global keyboard shortcuts
- Numerous configuration options to tune functionality
Default theme (System 7-like):
System8 theme (MacOS 8/9-like):
Build & installation currently still requires imake & make. While the original documentation says that xmkmf -a should work, we've found it's usually necessary to do the following:
cd man && xmkmf && cd -
cd sample_rc && xmkmf && cd -
cd mlvwm && xmkmf && cd -
xmkmf
make && make install
Native packages are provided on some operating systems, including:
- OpenBSD:
pkg_add mlvwm - NetBSD:
pkg_add mlvwm - Arch Linux: Arch User Repository (AUR)
- NixOS
For an up-to-date list of packaged versions, see mlvwm on Repology.
While some sample configuration files are included in the sample_rc directory, we highly suggest using the configuration files from the mlvwmrc project.
We suggest reading the manual page (man mlvwm; English), but you may also find the original documentation helpful:
Note: the English documentation above was automatically generated from the Japanese documentation.
Contributions are welcome and appreciated. Please read and follow the CONTRIBUTING guidelines.
MLVWM was originally developed in 1997 by Takashi HASEGAWA, based on FVWM, while studying at Nagoya University. Active development proceeded through 2000. In 2020, Morgan Aldridge obtained permission to continue maintenance & development.
This software is distributed as freeware as long as the original copyright remains in the source code and all documentation. Some files retain their original MIT license and one file is in the public domain.
Macintosh and MacOS are registered trademarks of Apple, Inc. (née Apple Computer, Inc.)