Test release of desktop-rejection XFCE 4.20 pre1 has been published, aimed at providing a classic desktop environment that requires minimal system resources for its operation. The XFCE 4.20 branch has reached the freezing stage, prohibiting the addition of new features to the core components and directing developers’ focus towards stabilizing the existing code base. Prior to the scheduled release on December 15, one or two additional test releases will be issued.
A major feature of the XFCE 4.20 branch is the experimental support for working with the Wayland protocol. The implementation includes the utilization of a new library, Libxfce4windowing, which provides a layer independent of the graphics system for managing window control components such as screens, root windows, and virtual desktops. The Wayland session in XFCE 4.20 utilizes the Wlroots library developed by the Sway project, in place of Libmutter.
The Wayland support in XFCE 4.20 encompasses a wide range of capabilities, although it is currently marked as undergoing finalization for full everyday use. Most components of XFCE and its applications have been adapted to work with Wayland, with a few exceptions including XFCE4-TASKMANAGER, XFCE4-Screensaver, XFCE4-Mbed-Plugin, XFCE4-XKB-Plugin, XFCE4-Windowck-Plugin, and XFCE4-Volumed-Pulse. X11 support is expected to remain available for the foreseeable future.
The XFCE user environment developers are hosting a mice XFCE contest, where works should be submitted in vector graphics format and distributed under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license. Submissions are accepted until November 15, after which the community will vote to select a winner.