Cambalache

Cambalache is a cool tool if you're looking to create a super-sleek, modern native Linux app from scratch. It makes sure that the GUI fits perfectly with GNOME's design guidelines and is easy to use, even on virtual machines without any scaling issues. Plus, it supports Wayland!

What is Cambalache?

So, you might be wondering what Cambalache is all about. It's a free and open-source GTK user interface maker that's really well-designed. As the project says, it's a new RAD (rapid application development) tool for GTK4 and GTK3. The cool part? It follows a clear MVC design and focuses on a data model-first approach.

Features of Cambalache

This means that Cambalache was built from the ground up to be super useful, allowing you to do most tasks with little developer help needed. The app is written in Python, uses Meson as its build system, and supports both GTK3 and GTK4 toolkits. With Broadway backend enabled, it can handle multiple GTK versions effortlessly.

User-Friendly Interface

The whole idea behind Cambalache is to keep things simple for users. When you first launch the app, you get greeted by a stylish welcome screen displaying its name. You’ll find a typical GTK/GNOME top toolbar where you can easily create new projects or open existing ones.

Creating New Projects

To kick off a new project, just type in your project name, choose where to save it on your computer, pick the target toolkit (GTK3 or GTK4), and hit “Create.” It's pretty straightforward!

Comparing Cambalache with Other Tools

Cambalache works similarly to other UI creator apps like Qt or QtDesigner but feels much more modern. There’s even a handy “Getting started” helper that shows off the main GUI elements; this can definitely help newcomers figure things out.

A Note for Beginners

While this helper is great for beginners, it would have been awesome if there was an actual sample project included too—just something to give new users a solid starting point for learning.

Why Try Cambalache?

If you're into creating user interfaces for GNOME applications, Cambalache is definitely worth checking out! Its modern features make it stand out in the crowd.