The Xfce team is developing xfwl4, a new Wayland compositor written in Rust. This project is funded by community donations and aims to provide functionality similar to the existing xfwm4, Xfce's X11 window manager. The goal is a seamless transition for users, utilizing existing configuration settings. This move reflects the broader shift towards Wayland in the Linux ecosystem.

Unlike previous attempts, xfwl4 will be built from scratch, diverging from the xfwm4 codebase. This approach allows for experimentation and avoids potential bugs in the mature X11 window manager. The team chose smithay as the foundation due to its support for Wayland protocols and customization capabilities. Rust's memory safety is another key advantage, reducing the risk of crashes.

The project scope includes session-startup changes, XWayland support, and integration with the xdg-session-management protocol. Brian Tarricone, a core Xfce developer, is leading the development. The Xfce team hopes to release the first development build of xfwl4 around mid-year. This initiative is a crucial step in modernizing Xfce for the future.

This development is important because Wayland is becoming the standard display server protocol on Linux. A native Wayland compositor ensures Xfce remains relevant and competitive. Users can expect improved performance and a more modern desktop experience. Watch for the first development release, which will provide a preview of what's to come.