Alternatives to Xkill on Wayland

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 49 views

Introduction

The X Window System has been the traditional display server for Linux and other Unix-like operating systems for decades. However, with the advent of Wayland, a new display server protocol has emerged, aiming to replace the traditional X Window System. While Wayland offers several advantages, such as improved security and performance, it also presents some challenges, particularly when it comes to managing and terminating applications.

What is Xkill?

Xkill is a utility program distributed with the X Window System that instructs the X server to forcefully terminate its connection to a client, thus "killing" the client. When run with no arguments, Xkill displays a window with a red X cursor, which can be clicked on the window of the application to be terminated. This allows users to quickly and easily terminate an application that is not responding or is causing issues.

The Problem with Wayland

One of the main challenges with Wayland is that it does not have a direct equivalent to Xkill. While Wayland provides a number of tools and utilities for managing and terminating applications, it does not have a single utility that can be used to forcefully terminate an application in the same way that Xkill can.

Alternatives to Xkill on Wayland

So, what can be done to achieve the same functionality as Xkill on Wayland? Fortunately, there are a number of alternatives that can be used to terminate applications on Wayland. Here are a few options:

1. `pkill`

One option is to use the pkill command, which is a part of the procps package. pkill allows you to kill processes based on their name, command line, or other criteria. To use pkill to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

pkill -x <application_name>

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate.

2. `killall`

Another option is to use the killall command, which is also a part of the procps package. killall allows you to kill processes based on their name. To use killall to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

killall <application_name>

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate.

3. `xdotool`

xdotool is a command-line tool that allows you to simulate keyboard and mouse events. It can be used to simulate a click on the window of an application, which can be used to terminate it. To use xdotool to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

xdotool search --class <application_name> key Ctrl+c

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate.

4. `wmctrl`

wmctrl is a command-line tool that allows you to control and manage windows on the desktop. It can be used to terminate an application by closing its window. To use wmctrl to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

wmctrl -c <application_name>

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate.

Conclusion

While Wayland does not have a direct equivalent to Xkill, there are a number of alternatives that can be used to terminate applications. These alternatives include pkill, killall, xdotool, and wmctrl. Each of these tools has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.

Additional Tips and Tricks

Here are a few additional tips and tricks for using these alternatives to Xkill:

Use pkill and killall with caution: These commands can be used to terminate any process on the system, including system processes. Use them with caution and only when necessary.
Use xdotool with the --sync option: This option can be used to ensure that the simulated click is executed synchronously, which can be useful for terminating applications that are not responding.
Use wmctrl with the -c option: This option can be used to close the window of an application, which can be useful for terminating applications that are not responding.

Conclusion

Q: What is the difference between `pkill` and `killall`?

A: pkill and killall are both used to kill processes, but they have some differences. pkill allows you to kill processes based on their name, command line, or other criteria, while killall allows you to kill processes based on their name only. pkill is more flexible and powerful than killall, but killall is simpler and easier to use.

Q: How do I use `xdotool` to terminate an application?

A: To use xdotool to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

xdotool search --class <application_name> key Ctrl+c

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate. This will simulate a click on the window of the application, which will terminate it.

Q: How do I use `wmctrl` to terminate an application?

A: To use wmctrl to terminate an application, you can run the following command:

wmctrl -c <application_name>

Replace <application_name> with the name of the application you want to terminate. This will close the window of the application, which will terminate it.

Q: Can I use `pkill` and `killall` to terminate system processes?

A: Yes, you can use pkill and killall to terminate system processes, but use them with caution. These commands can be used to terminate any process on the system, including system processes. Be careful not to terminate any critical system processes, as this can cause system instability or even a system crash.

Q: Can I use `xdotool` to terminate an application that is not responding?

A: Yes, you can use xdotool to terminate an application that is not responding. To do this, you can use the --sync option with xdotool, like this:

xdotool --sync search --class <application_name> key Ctrl+c

This will simulate a click on the window of the application, which will terminate it, even if the application is not responding.

Q: Can I use `wmctrl` to terminate an application that is not responding?

A: Yes, you can use wmctrl to terminate an application that is not responding. To do this, you can use the -c option with wmctrl, like this:

wmctrl -c <application_name>

This will close the window of the application, which will terminate it, even if the application is not responding.

Q: Are there any other alternatives to Xkill on Wayland?

A: Yes, there are other alternatives to Xkill on Wayland. Some other options include:

xkill itself, which can be used on Wayland by installing the xkill package and running it with the --wayland option.
kill command, which can be used to kill processes by their PID.
pkill and killall with the -9 option, which can be used to kill processes with the SIGKILL signal.

Q: How do I install the `pkill` and `killall` commands?

A: The pkill and killall commands are part of the procps package, which is usually installed by default on most Linux distributions. If you don't have the procps package installed, you can install it using your distribution's package manager.

Q: How do I install the `xdotool` command?

A: The xdotool command is usually installed by default on most Linux distributions. If you don't have the xdotool command installed, you can install it using your distribution's package manager.

Q: How do I install the `wmctrl` command?

A: The wmctrl command is usually installed by default on most Linux distributions. If you don't have the wmctrl command installed, you can install it using your distribution's package manager.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while Wayland does not have a direct equivalent to Xkill, there are a number of alternatives that can be used to terminate applications. These alternatives include pkill, killall, xdotool, and wmctrl. Each of these tools has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the choice of which one to use will depend on the specific needs and requirements of the user.