rxi/microui
Microui
microui is a minimal immediate-mode graphical user interface library written in C, designed for resource-constrained environments such as embedded systems. It operates without dynamic memory allocation and has no external dependencies beyond standard C, making it a self-contained solution for building lightweight interfaces.
The library is delivered as a single header file, simplifying integration into any project. It uses a fixed-allocator heap for all runtime state, guaranteeing deterministic memory use and predictable performance. All drawing is delegated to user-supplied callbacks, keeping the library platform-agnostic and flexible. Its container-stack layout system positions and spaces controls automatically, with a single function to manage rows and columns.
The included controls cover windows, buttons, sliders, text boxes, checkboxes, and word-wrapped labels, providing enough building blocks for simple interactive tools or UI mock-ups. The immediate-mode approach rebuilds the interface each frame from input and drawing commands, retaining no widget tree between frames.
Features
- Immediate Mode GUI Toolkits - A minimal C library for building graphical user interfaces using an immediate-mode style without dynamic memory allocation.
- Immediate Mode UI Frameworks - "Constructs the interface each frame by processing input and drawing commands in a single pass, with no retained widget tree."
- Single-Header Libraries - "Delivers the entire library in one C header file, making integration as simple as copying a file with no build system changes."
- Fixed-Pool Allocators - "Pre-allocates a static memory pool for all runtime state, eliminating malloc and guaranteeing deterministic performance."
- Minimal GUI Toolkits - Distributing a compact, self-contained GUI library with no external dependencies beyond standard C, suitable for small applications.
- Embedded UI Toolkits - A compact GUI toolkit designed for resource-constrained environments and bare-metal embedded systems.
- GUI Widget Toolkits - Build applications with windows, buttons, sliders, text boxes, checkboxes, and word-wrapped labels.
- Single-File Distributions - A self-contained C header and source pair that integrates easily into projects without complex build steps.
- No-Dependency UI Frameworks - A user interface framework requiring only standard C libraries, with no external dependencies or runtime requirements.
- Row-and-Column Layouts - Arrange controls in configurable columns and rows with a single layout function that manages spacing.
- Rendering Callbacks - "Delegates all drawing to user-supplied callbacks, keeping the library platform-agnostic and output-flexible."
- Stack-Based Layout Containers - "Uses a single function to push and pop container regions that automatically position and space nested controls."
- Windows Environments - Listed in the “Windows Environments” section of the Awesome C awesome list.
