KiCad and Wayland Support

a year ago

KiCad runs on Wayland but with significant limitations and known issues.
Window management issues include problems with window placement, docked panel positioning, and multi-window coordination.
Input and interaction problems involve cursor warping, focus management, and input device handling.
Performance and stability issues include high CPU/GPU usage, graphical glitches, and application freezes.
Dialog and UI limitations affect modal dialog behavior and external tool integration.
Wayland's design omits basic functionality, leading to fragmentation and inconsistent implementations.
KiCad's policy avoids window manager-specific workarounds and focuses on core functionality.
Bug reports related to Wayland-specific issues are not investigated or supported.
For professional use, X11-based desktop environments are strongly recommended.
Casual users on Wayland should expect reduced productivity and UI quirks.
KiCad monitors Wayland development and welcomes contributions to improve support.
The bottom line: Use X11 for reliable KiCad functionality on Linux.

Hasty Briefsbeta