Aesthetics-first modular desktop shell for Wayland, Skwd offers dynamic wallpaper-based theming and common desktop functionalities. It targets users seeking a highly customizable, visually distinctive graphical experience, particularly those using compositors like Niri, Hyprland, or KWin. The project provides a unique, visually driven desktop with deep configuration options and adaptive theming.

How It Works

Skwd uses Qt6/QML, presenting parallelogram-shaped desktop widgets like an app launcher, status bar, and wallpaper selector. Its novelty lies in aesthetic focus and dynamic color theming via Matugen, adapting UI colors to match wallpapers. A key architectural choice is the compositor abstraction layer (wm-action script), centralizing compositor-specific calls to enhance platform-agnosticism and modularity.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Installation: Arch (AUR): yay -S skwd-git, run setup script, skwd &. Manual: Clone, chmod +x scripts, create /usr/bin/skwd symlink, run setup, skwd &.
• OS/Compositor: Arch/Fedora (WIP automated), NixOS (adaptations). Compositors: Niri (recommended), Hyprland, KWin (experimental).
• Dependencies: Qt6, Python 3, Matugen, ffmpeg, playerctl, jq, Pillow, libnotify. Optional: Ollama, Wallpaper Engine.
• Setup: Manual keybind/JSON config required. No time/resource estimates.

Highlighted Details

• Aesthetics-First Design: Parallelogram widgets, dynamic wallpaper-synced color theming via Matugen.
• Modular Components: Top Bar (clock, weather, music), App Launcher (frequency-based search), Window Switcher (Niri for thumbnails), Wallpaper Selector, Power Menu, Notifications.
• High Customizability: Granular configuration for UI elements, search groups, and splash art.
• Compositor Abstraction: wm-action script centralizes compositor interactions for portability.

Maintenance & Community

• Development Status: Actively under heavy development and refactoring; released as a working prototype.
• Community: Encourages GitHub issues/PRs for feedback. No explicit community links (Discord/Slack).
• Roadmap: Standardizing Fedora/NixOS installation, finalizing lockscreen/greeter, potential config editor widget.

Licensing & Compatibility

• License: The specific open-source license is not stated in the provided README text.
• Compatibility: Aims for platform-agnosticism but requires specific Wayland compositors. Python and Bash scripting are core.

Limitations & Caveats

• Not Plug-and-Play: Requires manual configuration of keybinds and JSON settings.
• Compositor-Specific Features: App switcher thumbnails are Niri-exclusive; other visual effects depend on compositor capabilities.
• Experimental Support: KWin support is noted as experimental.
• Development Stage: Project is in heavy development, with ongoing refactoring and a prototype status.