hwatu

hwatu is a daemon-based web browser optimized for tiling window managers, offering a unique approach to window management and efficiency. By leveraging real WebKit rendering and ultra-fast window spawn times, hwatu enhances user experience without compromising performance.

Key Features

• Separation of Concerns: hwatu distinguishes between the web engine and the window, similar to tools like emacsclient and wezterm. The hwatud daemon manages the WebKitGTK engine and all browser windows, while hwatu serves as a thin client that connects via Unix sockets.

• Fast Window Spawning: With a median spawn time of just 13 ms on a warm daemon, hwatu allows immediate access to browser windows, making it significantly faster than traditional browsers which start the engine for each window.

• Minimalist Design: Emphasizing functionality over aesthetics, hwatu eliminates tabs (relying on the window manager for tab management) and chrome (the browser interface), providing a distraction-free browsing experience. The full rendering capabilities of WebKit are utilized, ensuring compatibility with modern web standards including JavaScript, CSS, and media content.

• Built-in Ad Blocking: hwatu features a native content blocking system with a default set of filtering rules to enhance privacy and browsing speed. Users have the option to update this list easily and customize their filtering preferences.

• Automation for Coding Agents: Designed with automation in mind, hwatu includes a protocol that enables AI coding agents to interact with web UIs efficiently, making it suitable for testing and automation workflows.

Usage Examples

Here's how to use hwatu effectively:

hwatu                      # Launches the browser with a keybinding cheat sheet.
hwatu example.com          # Opens a specific URL (automatically appending https://).
hwatu close 2              # Closes window ID 2.
hwatu adblock off          # Disables ad blocking.
hwatu update               # Self-updates to the latest release.

Performance Metrics

hwatu’s efficiency is backed by rigorous benchmarks showing median spawn times significantly lower than traditional browsers, benefiting users who prioritize speed and resource management. The architecture supports persistent browsing sessions, restoring previous windows after unexpected daemon terminations, thus maximizing uptime and user productivity.

Why Choose hwatu?

For users operating within a tiling window manager environment who seek a lightweight, fast, and minimalist browsing experience, hwatu stands out as an effective and innovative tool. Its focus on performance, automation, and seamless integration ensures a smooth and responsive web browsing experience tailored for developers and casual users alike.

Discover more about hwatu’s capabilities, including a detailed architecture overview, usage instructions, and performance benchmarks in the documentation and benchmarks.