# libadwaita

> GTK 4 software library

**Wikidata**: [Q116987038](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116987038)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libadwaita)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/libadwaita

## Summary
Libadwaita is a GTK 4 software library developed by the GNOME Project, designed to provide a set of widgets and utilities for building modern, adaptive user interfaces. It serves as a successor to libhandy and is distributed as free software under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Software library and widget toolkit for GTK 4
- **License**: GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later
- **Latest stable version**: 1.5.1 (released 2024-05-24)
- **Developer**: Alice Mikhaylenko (maintainer)
- **Maintained by**: The GNOME Project
- **Operating systems**: Unix-like (including BSD)
- **Build system**: Meson
- **Announcement date**: March 31, 2021
- **Successor to**: libhandy (introduced in 2021)
- **Website**: [https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/libadwaita/](https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/libadwaita/)
- **Source code**: [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita)

## FAQs
### Q: What is Libadwaita used for?
A: Libadwaita is a GTK 4 library that provides widgets and utilities for building modern, adaptive user interfaces, particularly for mobile and desktop applications. It is designed to replace libhandy and follows GNOME’s design principles.

### Q: Is Libadwaita free software?
A: Yes, Libadwaita is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later, making it free software that users can run, study, modify, and redistribute.

### Q: Who developed Libadwaita?
A: Libadwaita was developed by Alice Mikhaylenko and is maintained by The GNOME Project. It was announced on March 31, 2021, as a successor to libhandy.

### Q: What operating systems support Libadwaita?
A: Libadwaita runs on Unix-like operating systems, including BSD, and is compatible with GTK 4.

### Q: How is Libadwaita licensed?
A: Libadwaita is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later, ensuring it remains free and open-source software.

## Why It Matters
Libadwaita plays a crucial role in the GNOME ecosystem by providing a modern, adaptive widget toolkit for GTK 4 applications. As a successor to libhandy, it offers improved functionality and design consistency, particularly for mobile and desktop interfaces. Its development aligns with GNOME’s commitment to free software, ensuring accessibility and customization for users. By standardizing UI components, Libadwaita helps developers create cohesive and user-friendly applications across different platforms.

## Notable For
- **Successor to libhandy**: Libadwaita was introduced in 2021 to replace libhandy, offering enhanced features and modern design principles.
- **GTK 4 compatibility**: It is specifically designed for GTK 4, ensuring compatibility with the latest version of the GTK toolkit.
- **Free software**: Licensed under the GNU LGPL, Libadwaita remains free and open-source, allowing users to modify and redistribute it.
- **GNOME ecosystem integration**: Maintained by The GNOME Project, it aligns with GNOME’s design goals for adaptive and intuitive user interfaces.
- **Cross-platform support**: Works on Unix-like systems, including BSD, making it versatile for different operating environments.

## Body
### Overview
Libadwaita is a GTK 4 software library developed by The GNOME Project, announced on March 31, 2021. It serves as a successor to libhandy, providing a set of widgets and utilities for building modern, adaptive user interfaces. The library is maintained by Alice Mikhaylenko and is distributed under the GNU Lesser General Public License, version 2.1 or later.

### Development and Releases
- **Initial release**: Libadwaita 1.0 was released on December 31, 2021, as a major update from libhandy.
- **Version history**: Subsequent releases include 1.3 (March 17, 2023), 1.4.0 (September 14, 2023), 1.5.0 (March 15, 2024), and 1.5.1 (May 24, 2024).
- **Build system**: Uses Meson for compilation and package management.

### Technical Specifications
- **Operating systems**: Compatible with Unix-like systems, including BSD.
- **Dependencies**: Built for GTK 4, ensuring modern UI capabilities.
- **Packages**: Available in repositories for Debian, Ubuntu, Arch Linux, and SlackBuilds.

### Community and Support
- **Documentation**: User manual available at [https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/libadwaita/doc/](https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/libadwaita/doc/).
- **Communication**: Matrix room #libadwaita:gnome.org for community support.
- **Source code**: Hosted on GitLab at [https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita).

### Impact
Libadwaita enhances the GNOME ecosystem by providing a standardized toolkit for adaptive UI development. Its open-source licensing and cross-platform compatibility make it a valuable resource for developers building applications across different environments.

## References

1. [Libadwaita 1.0](https://blogs.gnome.org/alexm/2021/12/31/libadwaita-1-0/)
2. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita)
3. [Libadwaita 1.3. 2023](https://blogs.gnome.org/alexm/2023/03/17/libadwaita-1-3/)
4. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/dfaf404704a6e4a15d9881fc39ec8a607cd47701)
5. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/f665152a70d5f2c61c0f5a0a947cb38524e64cfe)
6. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/29846fbd8d1a589e526043a9dc5ed14b69308d48)
7. [Release 1.3.5](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/e006737320804ddeba28eb00228fe2c25d545a6a)
8. [Release 1.4.0](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/c196ee37a2938ce6ed0bfde2b575a0013d997158)
9. [Release 1.4.2](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/commit/fd5892e94ddd9baf44dcfb2faaa97211a2532d6d)
10. [Version 1.4.3](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/tags/1.4.3)
11. [Version 1.5.0](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/tags/1.5.0)
12. [Version 1.5.1](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/tags/1.5.1)
13. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/releases/1.6.3)
14. [Source](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/releases/1.7.6)
15. [1.8.4 · GNOME / libadwaita · GitLab](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/releases/1.8.4)
16. [Libadwaita 1.9. 2026](https://nyaa.place/blog/libadwaita-1-9/)
17. [1.9.0 · GNOME / libadwaita · GitLab](https://gitlab.gnome.org/GNOME/libadwaita/-/releases/1.9.0)
18. [Source](https://packages.debian.org/source/bookworm/libadwaita-1)
19. [Introducing Libadwaita. 2021](https://adrienplazas.com/blog/2021/03/31/introducing-libadwaita.html)
20. [Source](https://gnome.pages.gitlab.gnome.org/libadwaita/)