What a tiling window manager extension does and how to get one

A tiling window manager extension for Ubuntu automatically arranges your open windows into non-overlapping tiles that fill your screen, rather than letting you drag them around freely. Instead of clicking and dragging to resize, you use keyboard shortcuts to snap windows into halves, thirds, or quarters of your screen. Ubuntu's default desktop (GNOME) doesn't tile windows this way out of the box, but you can add this behaviour through extensions.

The most straightforward path is to install an extension called Tiling Assistant or Pop Shell (if you're on Pop!_OS, which is based on Ubuntu). Both work with Ubuntu 20.04 and later. You'll need to enable GNOME Extensions on your system first, then download and turn on the extension you want.

Key Takeaways

  • Ubuntu's default desktop environment doesn't tile windows automatically, but extensions like Tiling Assistant add this feature without replacing your entire desktop.
  • You must install GNOME Extensions support first by downloading the gnome-shell-extensions package, then restart your system.
  • Tiling Assistant and Pop Shell are the two most widely used tiling extensions for Ubuntu, and both work through the Extensions app or the GNOME website.
  • After installing an extension, you control window tiling with keyboard shortcuts like Super+Left or Super+Right, which you can customize in Settings.

Check your Ubuntu version and desktop environment

Tiling extensions work on Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and newer, and they require GNOME as your desktop environment (which is Ubuntu's default). If you're unsure which version you're running, open the Activities menu in the top left, type "About", and click the system settings icon. The window that opens shows your Ubuntu version and desktop environment name.

If you're running an older version of Ubuntu or using a different desktop like KDE Plasma or XFCE, tiling extensions won't work the same way. KDE and XFCE have their own tiling features built in or available through different methods.

Install GNOME Extensions support

Before you can use any tiling extension, your system needs the GNOME Extensions framework. Open the Terminal (press Ctrl+Alt+T) and run this command:

sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions

Type your password when prompted. The system will download and install the Extensions app, which is the control panel for managing all your GNOME extensions. After installation finishes, restart your computer or log out and log back in for the changes to take effect.

Download and enable Tiling Assistant

Tiling Assistant is the most popular tiling extension for standard Ubuntu. Open the Activities menu, type "Extensions", and click the Extensions app. Search for "Tiling Assistant" in the search box at the top. When you find it, click the entry and then click the toggle switch to turn it on.

If the Extensions app doesn't show Tiling Assistant, you can install it through the GNOME website instead. Open a web browser, go to extensions.gnome.org, search for "Tiling Assistant", and click the toggle switch on the extension page. Your browser will ask permission to install it—click "Install" in the popup. The extension will then appear in your Extensions app.

After enabling Tiling Assistant, you may see a notification asking you to restart GNOME Shell. Press Alt+F2, type "r", and press Enter to restart the desktop without logging out. Your tiling extension is now active.

Use keyboard shortcuts to tile windows

Once Tiling Assistant is running, you control window tiling with keyboard shortcuts. The most common ones are:

  • Super+Left (Windows key + Left arrow): Snap the active window to the left half of the screen
  • Super+Right (Windows key + Right arrow): Snap the active window to the right half of the screen
  • Super+Up (Windows key + Up arrow): Maximize the active window
  • Super+Down (Windows key + Down arrow): Restore the window to its previous size

Tiling Assistant also supports quarter-screen tiling (Super+1, Super+2, Super+3, Super+4) and other layouts. The exact shortcuts depend on which extension you install and how you configure it. You can view and change all shortcuts by opening Settings, clicking "Keyboard", then scrolling to find the Tiling Assistant section.

Customize tiling settings and keyboard shortcuts

To adjust how Tiling Assistant behaves, open the Extensions app, find Tiling Assistant in the list, and click the gear icon next to it. A settings window opens where you can change gap sizes between windows, enable or disable certain tiling layouts, and adjust animation speed.

To remap keyboard shortcuts, open Settings, click "Keyboard", and scroll down to the Tiling Assistant section. Click any shortcut to change it. For example, if you prefer Ctrl+Alt+Left instead of Super+Left, click the shortcut, press your new key combination, and it updates immediately.

Alternative: Install Pop Shell if you use Pop!_OS

If you're running Pop!_OS (a Ubuntu-based distribution made by System76), Pop Shell is the native tiling extension and comes pre-installed. Pop Shell uses similar keyboard shortcuts but integrates more deeply with the desktop. If you're on standard Ubuntu and want Pop Shell's behaviour, you can install it manually, though Tiling Assistant is usually simpler for Ubuntu users.

To install Pop Shell on Ubuntu, open Terminal and run sudo apt install pop-shell, then restart your system. Pop Shell uses Super+S to open a window switcher and Super+/ to see all available shortcuts. The experience is slightly different from Tiling Assistant but achieves the same goal of automatic window tiling.

Troubleshooting common issues

If tiling shortcuts don't work after enabling the extension, restart GNOME Shell by pressing Alt+F2, typing "r", and pressing Enter. If the Extensions app doesn't open, you may need to restart your entire system instead of just logging out.

If keyboard shortcuts conflict with other programs (like a game or IDE that uses the same keys), you can remap them in Settings. Some extensions also have a "pause tiling" option in the top panel that temporarily disables tiling without uninstalling the extension—useful if you're working in a program that needs floating windows.

If you want to remove the extension entirely, open the Extensions app, find Tiling Assistant, and click the toggle to turn it off. You can turn it back on anytime without reinstalling.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a tiling extension slow down my Ubuntu system?

No. Tiling extensions like Tiling Assistant use minimal system resources. They only rearrange windows when you press a keyboard shortcut, so the performance impact is negligible on any modern computer.

Can I use multiple tiling extensions at the same time?

You can enable multiple extensions, but using two tiling extensions together usually causes conflicts because both try to control window placement. Stick with one—either Tiling Assistant or Pop Shell—and disable the other.

Do I need to reinstall the extension after a system update?

Usually not. GNOME extensions persist through Ubuntu updates. However, if a major GNOME version changes, some extensions may temporarily break until the developer updates them. You'll see a notification in the Extensions app if an extension becomes incompatible.

What if I want to go back to floating windows?

Open the Extensions app and toggle off the tiling extension. Your windows will immediately return to floating mode. You can turn the extension back on anytime without losing any settings.

Can I tile windows on multiple monitors?

Yes. Tiling Assistant and Pop Shell both work across multiple monitors. Keyboard shortcuts apply to whichever monitor your active window is on, so you can tile windows independently on each screen.