Release: Wombat

Wombat is the current DocsHub architecture.

glint documentation

Choose a version

Version 1.x

Glint documentation #

Glint is a lightweight desktop system monitor for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its frameless PyQt HUD keeps CPU, memory, disk, GPU, temperature, and live network activity visible without a browser or Electron runtime.

Version 1.0.1 is the current stable release, continuing the series that began with the first stable, cross-platform 1.0.0. Glint is active and distributed exclusively as standalone archives through GitHub Releases.

Download and install #

Choose the asset that matches your system:

Platform	Asset
Windows x86-64	`glint-windows-x86_64.zip`
macOS Apple silicon	`glint-macos-arm64.zip`
macOS Intel	`glint-macos-x86_64.zip`
Linux x86-64	`glint-linux-x86_64.tar.gz`

Download the archive and SHA256SUMS from the latest release.
Optionally verify the archive against its SHA-256 checksum.
Extract the archive.
Launch Glint (Glint.exe on Windows).

Python is not required for these standalone builds.

Official archives are currently unsigned. Windows SmartScreen or macOS Gatekeeper may ask you to confirm that you trust the download. Obtain builds only from the Glint GitHub repository and verify the published checksum when possible.

HUD and tray controls #

Action	Result
Left-click and drag the HUD	Move it and save its new position.
Right-click the HUD	Open Settings or exit Glint.
Double-click the tray icon	Show and raise the HUD.
Choose Show Glint in the tray	Restore the HUD.
Choose Settings in the tray	Open the independent Settings window.
Toggle Run on Startup	Add or remove the platform-native autostart entry.
Choose Exit	Hide the tray icon and stop Glint.

Settings take effect immediately. The General page controls the refresh interval from 250 milliseconds to 60 seconds. Appearance controls HUD opacity and the Default or Midnight theme. The Layout page identifies where portable layout files are stored.

Metrics and hardware support #

Glint uses psutil for portable CPU, RAM, disk, network, and exposed temperature readings. NVIDIA GPU usage and temperature come from a locally installed nvidia-smi. On Windows, Glint can also use WMI for CPU temperature and AMD or Intel GPU usage.

Metric	Windows	macOS	Linux
CPU, RAM, disk, network	Supported	Supported	Supported
CPU temperature	WMI when exposed	`psutil` when exposed	hwmon through `psutil`
NVIDIA GPU	`nvidia-smi`	`nvidia-smi` when supported	`nvidia-smi`
AMD/Intel GPU usage	Windows counters	Unavailable fallback	Unavailable fallback
Other GPU temperatures	Platform sensor when exposed	Platform sensor when exposed	hwmon when exposed

Sensor access varies by hardware, firmware, driver, permissions, and operating system. An unavailable reading is displayed as Unavailable and does not prevent Glint from starting.

Configuration and layouts #

Glint stores settings.json and layout JSON in the operating system’s standard application configuration directory. The exact base directory is selected by Qt for the current platform. No sensor history is stored.

The generated default_layout.json contains the HUD dimensions and an ordered list of painter widgets:

{
  "schema_version": 1,
  "width": 280,
  "height": 290,
  "widgets": [
    {"type": "cpu", "x": 22, "y": 30, "width": 236, "height": 38},
    {"type": "ram", "x": 22, "y": 72, "width": 236, "height": 38},
    {"type": "disk", "x": 22, "y": 114, "width": 236, "height": 38},
    {"type": "gpu_usage", "x": 22, "y": 156, "width": 236, "height": 38},
    {"type": "gpu_temp", "x": 22, "y": 198, "width": 236, "height": 38},
    {"type": "network", "x": 22, "y": 244, "width": 236, "height": 28}
  ]
}

Supported widget types are cpu, ram, disk, gpu_usage, gpu_temp, and network. Add more than one disk widget and set each disk field to the device label reported by the operating system. Invalid or missing configuration falls back safely to Glint’s defaults.

Layout files are intended to be portable JSON, but disk labels differ between operating systems and machines. Update disk fields after moving a layout.

Run from source #

Glint requires Python 3.10 or later and a graphical desktop session.

git clone https://github.com/ZFordDev/Glint.git
cd Glint
python -m venv .venv
# Windows: .venv\Scripts\activate
# macOS/Linux: source .venv/bin/activate
python -m pip install .
glint

Linux distributions may need to supply Qt runtime libraries. A desktop session with system-tray support is recommended on every platform.

Platform notes #

Wayland compositors may ignore requests to keep the HUD below other windows. Glint remains frameless and uses compositor-assisted dragging when available.
Temperature and non-NVIDIA GPU support depends on what the local platform exposes; installing Glint cannot add missing hardware sensors.
Startup behavior is managed with a Startup-folder command on Windows, a LaunchAgent on macOS, and a freedesktop autostart entry on Linux.
There is no supported in-application updater. Download new versions manually from GitHub Releases.

Privacy and support #

Glint has no accounts, telemetry, advertising, cloud service, or built-in network update check. Metrics remain in memory and only preferences, HUD position, and layouts are stored locally. Read the repository’s privacy statement for details.

Use the issue tracker for bugs and focused feature requests. Include the Glint version, operating system, architecture, desktop environment or display server where relevant, hardware, and clear reproduction steps.

See architecture and maintenance for repository structure, development checks, and the automated release process. Glint is available under the MIT licence.