I’ve used a lot of desktop environments and window managers over time, including GNOME, KDE, XFCE, macOS, Hyprland, and i3.
Recently, I decided to try Niri WM, and I was really impressed with the experience.
From i3 to macOS
As a fan of tiling window managers, I’ve been using i3 for quite a while. It’s fast, simple, and gets out of your way.
After switching to a Mac, I was really disappointed with macOS performance, even though the hardware is top-notch.
The input lag, the slow and bloated animations, and even the application launch speed feel off. The UI and UX also feel outdated and not very sensible in some areas.
Tweaks like increasing the key repeat rate and enabling reduced motion make the experience slightly better, but it still lags behind the snappiness of i3.
Trying Niri WM
That’s when I decided to try Niri WM, and I was really impressed, especially with its philosophy of horizontal scrolling and its tasteful features.
A Different Approach to Tiling
In traditional tiling window managers like i3 or Hyprland, every new window triggers a reflow that squishes everything else.
Niri solves this by placing new windows to the right on an infinite horizontal strip.
This means you can open a new application and your existing windows stay exactly the same size. There’s no layout destruction and no need to micro-manage workspaces just to preserve your setup.
Why This Works
The idea is simple, but it changes the experience a lot.
You don’t lose context when opening new windows. Everything stays stable, and you just move horizontally through your workspace.
It feels more natural and less disruptive.
Practical Power-User Features
On top of that, the power-user features feel like a nice bonus.
The overview mode is something I really like. It makes navigating your windows much easier.
Live-reloading the config is also great. You can tweak things without restarting your setup.
Tab groups add another layer of organization when needed.
Conclusion
The feeling of an infinite space is very appealing, and I really like it.
Combined with minimal system resource usage and almost zero input latency, Niri feels fast, clean, and focused.
Right now, it’s one of the most satisfying window manager experiences I’ve had.