TL;DR
KDE Plasma 6.8 will remove X11 support entirely, moving to a Wayland-only session. This change aims to improve performance and simplify development but may cause issues for some users.
KDE Plasma 6.8 will be the final version to support X11, as the desktop environment shifts focus exclusively to Wayland. The change was announced by KDE developers, marking a significant milestone in the transition away from X11 after over a decade of development efforts.
Effective with Plasma 6.8, the X11 session will be removed from the login screen, and all X11-specific code paths in Plasma Shell, System Settings, and device configuration will be eliminated. Support for XWayland will remain, allowing users to run X11 applications within the Wayland session. KDE has reported that over 95% of Plasma 6.6 users are already on Wayland, with a current adoption rate of approximately 76% across all Plasma 6 releases, including older versions.
Plasma 6.7, scheduled for release soon, will be the last version to include an X11 session, providing users with time to transition. KDE acknowledges that some workflows and custom scripts may require adjustments, as Wayland does not yet replicate all X11 functionalities perfectly. The move aims to streamline development, enhance performance, and introduce new features by consolidating on a single display server protocol.
Why It Matters
This transition is significant because it marks the end of KDE’s long-term support for X11, which has been the standard display server for Linux desktops for decades. Moving to Wayland allows KDE to optimize performance, improve security, and develop innovative features more efficiently. However, it also presents potential challenges for users reliant on specific X11 workflows or custom configurations, making the transition a critical moment for the KDE community.
Linux compatible X11 to Wayland transition tools
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Background
KDE Plasma has been gradually adopting Wayland over recent years, with internal metrics showing increasing user adoption. The transition has been ongoing since the release of Plasma 5.0, with full support for Wayland improving over time. Despite initial resistance, the majority of users now prefer Wayland due to its advantages in security and performance. KDE’s announcement aligns with broader Linux desktop trends, where many distributions are moving toward Wayland as the default display server.
“It’s done when it’s done! We are finally at a point where we’re ready to retire X11 and focus solely on Wayland.”
— KDE developer
“Moving forward with a single code path through Wayland will enable us to bring performance improvements, memory optimizations, and new features.”
— KDE spokesperson
“We recognize that some users may experience issues during the transition, and we are committed to listening and addressing their concerns.”
— KDE community manager
KDE Plasma 6.8 compatible Linux distributions
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What Remains Unclear
It remains unclear how smoothly all users will adapt to the transition, especially those relying on complex custom workflows or specific X11 applications. Some issues with Wayland-specific bugs or compatibility may persist beyond the release of Plasma 6.8, and KDE has acknowledged that not all workflows may be fully supported immediately.
X11 to Wayland transition guide for Linux
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What’s Next
Following the release of Plasma 6.7, which will be the last to include X11 support, KDE will continue to refine Wayland support and address user feedback. Developers will focus on fixing remaining bugs, improving compatibility, and introducing new features that leverage Wayland’s capabilities. Community testing and feedback will be crucial during this period.
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Key Questions
Why is KDE dropping X11 support?
KDE aims to unify its display server support under Wayland to improve performance, security, and enable future development of new features, making the transition more sustainable and efficient.
Will I still be able to run X11 applications after the transition?
Yes, support for XWayland will continue, allowing users to run X11 applications within the Wayland session without issues.
When will X11 support be fully removed from KDE Plasma?
X11 support will be fully removed in Plasma 6.8, scheduled for release in approximately five months.
What should users do if they encounter issues with Wayland?
Users are encouraged to report issues to KDE. The last release with X11 support, Plasma 6.7, will be available soon, providing time to troubleshoot and adapt workflows.
Source: Hacker News
