YServer 1.7.0, developed by Jos Dehaes, introduces Vulkan 1.2 support and compatibility with the 1990s Common Desktop Environment (CDE) in its from-scratch Rust X11 server. This update allows the server to function on older Intel graphics like Haswell and Ivy Bridge while implementing significant improvements such as a font subsystem overhaul, a dynamic XInput registry, and fixes for VRAM growth issues. The project also features a rigorous automated testing suite that compares its behavior against a live Xorg instance, ensuring reliability and performance. While it may not yet be a mainstream alternative to Xorg, YServer 1.7.0 represents a notable advancement toward that goal, with availability for Arch users and plans for binary releases on other platforms
YServer 1.7.0 Adds Vulkan 1.2 Support and CDE Compatibility to From-Scratch Rust X11 Server
YServer 1.7.0 is the latest version of Jos Dehaes' from-scratch Rust X11 server. Its headline feature is Vulkan 1.2 support, which lets the project run on older Intel graphics like Haswell and Ivy Bridge while refusing to boot on anything older with a clear error message. The release also overhauls fonts, fixes unbounded VRAM growth with a 64 MiB LRU budget, adds a dynamic XInput registry, and gets the server to run the 1990s Common Desktop Environment. What sets it apart is a testing suite that compares its behavior byte-for-byte against a live Xorg instance, and you can try it yourself via the AUR or binary releases.
