We recently told you about a new project called Wayback — an experimental, minimal Wayland compositor that includes support for Xwayland. In plain terms, this means you can continue using X11-based apps without requiring a full X server.
The idea is simple: as X11 fades out, Wayback aims to ensure that users can still run older apps that haven’t made the transition to native Wayland support.
Wayback is a X11 compatibility layer which allows for running full X11 desktop environments using Wayland components. It is intended to eventually replace the classic X.Org server, thus reducing maintenance burden of X11 applications, but a lot of work needs to be done first.
Even though it’s only a few weeks old, Wayback, led by Ariadne Conill, one of the original developers behind Alpine Linux, has already gained enough attention to be taken under the wing of FreeDesktop.org.
As you know, that’s the project that sets common standards for desktop environments and applications, and also provides a neutral space where developers from major projects, such as GNOME, KDE, and others, can come together to coordinate their work.
As a result, Conill archived Wayback’s GitHub repository on July 9, 2025, and all subsequent development has since been moved to the FreeDesktop.org GitLab.
Additionally, the project now features a fresh new look, complete with a brand-new logo—unsurprisingly inspired by the classic X11 logo.
As mentioned earlier, the project is still in its early stages, but all signs indicate active development ahead. So, it’s fair to expect that it could soon become a real lifeline for anyone who, for one reason or another, hasn’t fully made the switch to Wayland yet.
Of course, we’ll be keeping a close eye on how things progress and, as always, we’ll keep you updated whenever there’s something new to share.
