Introducing Wayback 0.1: A Preliminary Wayland Server for X11 Devotees
In the world of Linux desktop environments, the release of Wayback 0.1, the first preliminary version of a new Wayland display server, is generating a buzz. This innovative software is designed to run full X11-only desktop environments on Wayland, acting as an X11 compatibility layer or server backed by Wayland.
What is Wayback 0.1?
Wayback 0.1 is an alpha-quality, preview release of a new Wayland-based display server. It's a server that uses the wlroots library and Xwayland components to provide a familiar X11 experience on top of the modern Wayland technology. The primary goal of Wayback is to serve as a drop-in replacement for the traditional Xorg server, simplifying maintenance and easing the transition from X11 to Wayland for users and distributions.
Current Status
Released on July 24, 2025, Wayback 0.1 is still in early alpha state, meaning it is functional but contains significant limitations and bugs. However, it is daily-driveable for users with simple needs who don't mind existing issues. Several Linux distributions have already picked it up and packaged it, indicating strong community interest and ongoing development.
Limitations and Missing Features
Despite its promise, Wayback 0.1 is not without its shortcomings. Currently, it lacks multi-monitor support, Display Power Management Signalling (DPMS) is not implemented, many X.Org options are unimplemented or stubbed out, there's no mouse-locking support, and Vulkan support has not been reported yet, though basic OpenGL programs like glxgears run fine.
Key Features
Despite these limitations, Wayback 0.1 offers several compelling features. It uses wlroots as a modern and stable compositor foundation, maintains classic X11-style window management, is lightweight and resource-efficient, supports custom scripting for easier configuration and extensibility, and is open source, privacy-friendly, and free of telemetry or exploits.
Technical Context
Wayback uses wlroots (a modular Wayland compositor library) and integrates with Xwayland to run legacy X11 applications. Its aim is to replace Xorg fully, reducing the maintenance burden of keeping both X11 and Wayland live on distributions.
User Experience
Initial tests show that the server can launch traditional X11 window managers like fvwm3 with expected window behavior. Although it identifies as X11 to applications, it runs on Wayland underneath. On simple single-monitor setups, it reportedly works well enough to be mistaken for a traditional Xorg environment.
Outlook
Future releases of Wayback are expected to add features like multi-monitor support, DPMS, drag-and-drop, clipboard synchronization, and session management. It represents a promising approach to bridging X11 and Wayland workflows, maintaining familiarity for users while embracing modern Linux desktop standards.
In summary, Wayback 0.1 is an early but promising Wayland-based X11 compatibility server aimed at allowing legacy X11 desktops to run natively within a Wayland environment. Currently functional yet limited, it is recommended mainly for adventurous or simple-use cases. Future developments are expected to make it a more viable option for a wider range of users.
[1] https://wayback-project.org/ [2] https://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?page=article&item=wayback-01&num=1 [3] https://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2025/07/wayback-01-x11-wayland-display-server-released [4] https://www.linuxinsider.com/rsstory/86618.html
The alpha-quality release of Wayback 0.1 is a new Wayland-based display server that utilizes AI and data-and-cloud-computing technologies, such as wlroots and Xwayland components, to offer a familiar X11 experience on a modern Wayland foundation. However, despite the server's promise, it currently contains significant bugs that limit its functionalities, making it more suitable for adventurous users or simple use cases.
