2 :man version: {revnumber}
3 :man manual: Bspwm Manual
11 bspwm - Binary space partitioning window manager
16 *bspwm* [*-h*|*-v*|*-c* 'CONFIG_PATH']
18 *bspc* 'DOMAIN' ['SELECTOR'] 'COMMANDS'
20 *bspc* 'COMMAND' ['OPTIONS'] ['ARGUMENTS']
25 *bspwm* is a tiling window manager that represents windows as the leaves of a full binary tree.
27 It is controlled and configured via *bspc*.
34 Print the synopsis and exit.
37 Print the version and exit.
40 Use the given configuration file.
46 DIR := north | west | south | east
47 CYCLE_DIR := next | prev
53 Selectors are used to select a target node, desktop, or monitor. A selector
54 can either describe the target relatively or name it globally.
56 Selectors consist of an optional reference, a descriptor and any number of
57 non-conflicting modifiers as follows:
59 [REFERENCE#]DESCRIPTOR(.MODIFIER)*
61 The relative targets are computed in relation to the given reference (the
62 default reference value is *focused*).
64 An exclamation mark can be prepended to any modifier in order to reverse its
67 The following characters cannot be used in monitor or desktop names: *#*, *:*, *.*.
69 The special selector *%<name>* can be used to select a monitor or a desktop with an invalid name.
77 NODE_SEL := [NODE_SEL#](DIR|CYCLE_DIR|PATH|any|last|newest|
78 older|newer|focused|pointed|biggest|smallest|
79 <node_id>)[.[!]focused][.[!]active][.[!]automatic][.[!]local]
80 [.[!]leaf][.[!]window][.[!]STATE][.[!]FLAG][.[!]LAYER]
81 [.[!]same_class][.[!]descendant_of][.[!]ancestor_of]
83 STATE := tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen
85 FLAG := hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent
87 LAYER := below|normal|above
89 PATH := @[DESKTOP_SEL:][[/]JUMP](/JUMP)*
91 JUMP := first|1|second|2|brother|parent|DIR
98 Selects the window in the given (spacial) direction relative to the reference node.
101 Selects the window in the given (cyclic) direction relative to the reference node.
104 Selects the node at the given path.
107 Selects the first node that matches the given selectors.
110 Selects the previously focused node relative to the reference node.
113 Selects the newest node in the history of the focused node.
116 Selects the node older than the reference node in the history.
119 Selects the node newer than the reference node in the history.
122 Selects the currently focused node.
125 Selects the window under the pointer.
128 Selects the biggest window.
131 Selects the smallest window.
134 Selects the node with the given ID.
139 The initial node is the focused node (or the root if the path starts with '/') of the reference desktop (or the selected desktop if the path has a 'DESKTOP_SEL' prefix).
142 Jumps to the first child.
145 Jumps to the second child.
148 Jumps to the brother node.
151 Jumps to the parent node.
154 Jumps to the node holding the edge in the given direction.
160 Only consider the focused node.
163 Only consider nodes that are the focused node of their desktop.
166 Only consider nodes in automatic insertion mode. See also *--presel-dir* under *Node* in the *DOMAINS* section below.
169 Only consider nodes in the reference desktop.
172 Only consider leaf nodes.
175 Only consider nodes that hold a window.
177 [!](tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen)::
178 Only consider windows in the given state.
181 Only consider windows that have the same class as the reference window.
184 Only consider nodes that are descendants of the reference node.
187 Only consider nodes that are ancestors of the reference node.
189 [!](hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent)::
190 Only consider windows that have the given flag set.
192 [!](below|normal|above)::
193 Only consider windows in the given layer.
201 DESKTOP_SEL := [DESKTOP_SEL#](CYCLE_DIR|any|last|newest|older|newer|
202 [MONITOR_SEL:](focused|^<n>)|
203 <desktop_id>|<desktop_name>)[.[!]focused][.[!]active]
204 [.[!]occupied][.[!]urgent][.[!]local]
211 Selects the desktop in the given direction relative to the reference desktop.
214 Selects the first desktop that matches the given selectors.
217 Selects the previously focused desktop relative to the reference desktop.
220 Selects the newest desktop in the history of the focused desktops.
223 Selects the desktop older than the reference desktop in the history.
226 Selects the desktop newer than the reference desktop in the history.
229 Selects the currently focused desktop.
232 Selects the nth desktop. If *MONITOR_SEL* is given, selects the nth desktop on the selected monitor.
235 Selects the desktop with the given ID.
238 Selects the desktop with the given name.
244 Only consider the focused desktop.
247 Only consider desktops that are the focused desktop of their monitor.
250 Only consider occupied desktops.
253 Only consider urgent desktops.
256 Only consider desktops inside the reference monitor.
264 MONITOR_SEL := [MONITOR_SEL#](DIR|CYCLE_DIR|any|last|newest|older|newer|
265 focused|pointed|primary|^<n>|
266 <monitor_id>|<monitor_name>)[.[!]focused][.[!]occupied]
273 Selects the monitor in the given (spacial) direction relative to the reference monitor.
276 Selects the monitor in the given (cyclic) direction relative to the reference monitor.
279 Selects the first monitor that matches the given selectors.
282 Selects the previously focused monitor relative to the reference monitor.
285 Selects the newest monitor in the history of the focused monitors.
288 Selects the monitor older than the reference monitor in the history.
291 Selects the monitor newer than the reference monitor in the history.
294 Selects the currently focused monitor.
297 Selects the monitor under the pointer.
300 Selects the primary monitor.
303 Selects the nth monitor.
306 Selects the monitor with the given ID.
309 Selects the monitor with the given name.
316 Only consider the focused monitor.
319 Only consider monitors where the focused desktop is occupied.
327 Its size and position are determined by the window tree.
330 A tiled window that automatically shrinks but doesn't stretch beyond its floating size.
333 Can be moved/resized freely. Although it doesn't use any tiling space, it is still part of the window tree.
336 Fills its monitor rectangle and has no borders.
343 Is hidden and doesn't occupy any tiling space.
346 Stays in the focused desktop of its monitor.
349 Tries to keep the same tiling position/size.
352 Ignores the *node --close* message.
355 Is marked (useful for deferred actions). A marked node becomes unmarked after being sent on a preselected node.
358 Has its urgency hint set. This flag is set externally.
364 There's three stacking layers: BELOW, NORMAL and ABOVE.
366 In each layer, the window are orderered as follow: tiled & pseudo-tiled < floating < fullscreen.
371 A leaf node that doesn't hold any window is called a receptacle. When a node is inserted on a receptacle in automatic mode, it will replace the receptacle. A receptacle can be inserted on a node, preselected and killed. Receptacles can therefore be used to build a tree whose leaves are receptacles. Using the appropriate rules, one can then send windows on the leaves of this tree. This feature is used in 'examples/receptacles' to store and recreate layouts.
383 node ['NODE_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
385 If 'NODE_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
389 *-f*, *--focus* ['NODE_SEL']::
390 Focus the selected or given node.
392 *-a*, *--activate* ['NODE_SEL']::
393 Activate the selected or given node.
395 *-d*, *--to-desktop* 'DESKTOP_SEL' [*--follow*]::
396 Send the selected node to the given desktop. If *--follow* is passed, the focused node will stay focused.
398 *-m*, *--to-monitor* 'MONITOR_SEL' [*--follow*]::
399 Send the selected node to the given monitor. If *--follow* is passed, the focused node will stay focused.
401 *-n*, *--to-node* 'NODE_SEL' [*--follow*]::
402 Send the selected node on the given node. If *--follow* is passed, the focused node will stay focused.
404 *-s*, *--swap* 'NODE_SEL' [*--follow*]::
405 Swap the selected node with the given node. If *--follow* is passed, the focused node will stay focused.
407 *-p*, *--presel-dir* \[~]'DIR'|cancel::
408 Preselect the splitting area of the selected node (or cancel the preselection). If *~* is prepended to 'DIR' and the current preselection direction matches 'DIR', then the argument is interpreted as *cancel*. A node with a preselected area is said to be in "manual insertion mode".
410 *-o*, *--presel-ratio* 'RATIO'::
411 Set the splitting ratio of the preselection area.
413 *-v*, *--move* 'dx' 'dy'::
414 Move the selected window by 'dx' pixels horizontally and 'dy' pixels vertically.
416 *-z*, *--resize* top|left|bottom|right|top_left|top_right|bottom_right|bottom_left 'dx' 'dy'::
417 Resize the selected window by moving the given handle by 'dx' pixels horizontally and 'dy' pixels vertically.
419 *-r*, *--ratio* 'RATIO'|(+|-)('PIXELS'|'FRACTION')::
420 Set the splitting ratio of the selected node (0 < 'RATIO' < 1).
422 *-R*, *--rotate* '90|270|180'::
423 Rotate the tree rooted at the selected node.
425 *-F*, *--flip* 'horizontal|vertical'::
426 Flip the the tree rooted at selected node.
429 Reset the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node to their default value.
432 Adjust the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node so that all windows occupy the same area.
434 *-C*, *--circulate* forward|backward::
435 Circulate the windows of the tree rooted at the selected node.
437 *-t*, *--state* [~](tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen)::
438 Set the state of the selected window. If *~* is present and the current state matches the given state, then the argument is interpreted as the last state.
440 *-g*, *--flag* hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked[=on|off]::
441 Set or toggle the given flag for the selected node.
443 *-l*, *--layer* below|normal|above::
444 Set the stacking layer of the selected window.
446 *-i*, *--insert-receptacle*::
447 Insert a receptacle node at the selected node.
450 Close the windows rooted at the selected node.
453 Kill the windows rooted at the selected node.
461 desktop ['DESKTOP_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
463 If 'DESKTOP_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
467 *-f*, *--focus* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
468 Focus the selected or given desktop.
470 *-a*, *--activate* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
471 Activate the selected or given desktop.
473 *-m*, *--to-monitor* 'MONITOR_SEL' [*--follow*]::
474 Send the selected desktop to the given monitor. If *--follow* is passed, the focused desktop will stay focused.
476 *-s*, *--swap* 'DESKTOP_SEL' [*--follow*]::
477 Swap the selected desktop with the given desktop. If *--follow* is passed, the focused desktop will stay focused.
479 *-l*, *--layout* 'CYCLE_DIR'|monocle|tiled::
480 Set or cycle the layout of the selected desktop.
482 *-n*, *--rename* <new_name>::
483 Rename the selected desktop.
485 *-b*, *--bubble* 'CYCLE_DIR'::
486 Bubble the selected desktop in the given direction.
489 Remove the selected desktop.
497 monitor ['MONITOR_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
499 If 'MONITOR_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
503 *-f*, *--focus* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
504 Focus the selected or given monitor.
506 *-s*, *--swap* 'MONITOR_SEL'::
507 Swap the selected monitor with the given monitor.
509 *-a*, *--add-desktops* <name>...::
510 Create desktops with the given names in the selected monitor.
512 *-o*, *--reorder-desktops* <name>...::
513 Reorder the desktops of the selected monitor to match the given order.
515 *-d*, *--reset-desktops* <name>...::
516 Rename, add or remove desktops depending on whether the number of given names is equal, superior or inferior to the number of existing desktops.
518 *-g*, *--rectangle* WxH+X+Y::
519 Set the rectangle of the selected monitor.
521 *-n*, *--rename* <new_name>::
522 Rename the selected monitor.
525 Remove the selected monitor.
533 query 'COMMANDS' ['OPTIONS']
538 The optional selectors are references.
540 *-N*, *--nodes* ['NODE_SEL']::
541 List the IDs of the matching nodes.
543 *-D*, *--desktops* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
544 List the IDs (or names) of the matching desktops.
546 *-M*, *--monitors* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
547 List the IDs (or names) of the matching monitors.
550 Print a JSON representation of the matching item.
555 *-m*,*--monitor* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
556 *-d*,*--desktop* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
557 *-n*, *--node* ['NODE_SEL']::
558 Constrain matches to the selected monitor, desktop or node. The descriptor can be omitted for '-M', '-D' and '-N'.
561 Print names instead of IDs. Can only be used with '-M' and '-D'.
574 *-d*, *--dump-state*::
575 Dump the current world state on standard output.
577 *-l*, *--load-state* <file_path>::
578 Load a world state from the given file. The path must be absolute.
580 *-a*, *--add-monitor* <name> WxH+X+Y::
581 Add a monitor for the given name and rectangle.
583 *-O*, *--reorder-monitors* <name>...::
584 Reorder the list of monitors to match the given order.
586 *-o*, *--adopt-orphans*::
587 Manage all the unmanaged windows remaining from a previous session.
589 *-h*, *--record-history* on|off::
590 Enable or disable the recording of node focus history.
592 *-g*, *--get-status*::
593 Print the current status information.
596 Restart the window manager
609 *-a*, *--add* (<class_name>|\*)[:(<instance_name>|\*)] [*-o*|*--one-shot*] [monitor=MONITOR_SEL|desktop=DESKTOP_SEL|node=NODE_SEL] [state=STATE] [layer=LAYER] [split_dir=DIR] [split_ratio=RATIO] [(hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|center|follow|manage|focus|border)=(on|off)] [rectangle=WxH+X+Y]::
612 *-r*, *--remove* ^<n>|head|tail|(<class_name>|\*)[:(<instance_name>|*)]...::
613 Remove the given rules.
624 config [-m 'MONITOR_SEL'|-d 'DESKTOP_SEL'|-n 'NODE_SEL'] <setting> [<value>]::
625 Get or set the value of <setting>.
632 subscribe ['OPTIONS'] (all|report|monitor|desktop|node|...)*::
633 Continuously print events. See the *EVENTS* section for the description of each event.
639 Print a path to a FIFO from which events can be read and return.
641 *-c*, *--count* 'COUNT'::
642 Stop the corresponding *bspc* process after having received 'COUNT' events.
651 Quit with an optional exit status.
656 If the server can't handle a message, *bspc* will return with a non-zero exit code.
660 Colors are in the form '#RRGGBB', booleans are 'true', 'on', 'false' or 'off'.
662 All the boolean settings are 'false' by default unless stated otherwise.
667 'normal_border_color'::
668 Color of the border of an unfocused window.
670 'active_border_color'::
671 Color of the border of a focused window of an unfocused monitor.
673 'focused_border_color'::
674 Color of the border of a focused window of a focused monitor.
676 'presel_feedback_color'::
677 Color of the *node --presel-{dir,ratio}* message feedback area.
683 Prefix prepended to each of the status lines.
685 'external_rules_command'::
686 Absolute path to the command used to retrieve rule consequences. The command will receive the following arguments: window ID, class name, instance name, and intermediate consequences. The output of that command must have the following format: *key1=value1 key2=value2 ...* (the valid key/value pairs are given in the description of the 'rule' command).
689 The insertion scheme used when the insertion point is in automatic mode. Accept the following values: *longest_side*, *alternate*, *spiral*.
692 On which child should a new window be attached when adding a window on a single window tree in automatic mode. Accept the following values: *first_child*, *second_child*.
694 'directional_focus_tightness'::
695 The tightness of the algorithm used to decide whether a window is on the 'DIR' side of another window. Accept the following values: *high*, *low*.
697 'removal_adjustment'::
698 Adjust the brother when unlinking a node from the tree in accordance with the automatic insertion scheme.
701 Draw the preselection feedback area. Defaults to 'true'.
703 'borderless_monocle'::
704 Remove borders of tiled windows for the *monocle* desktop layout.
707 Remove gaps of tiled windows for the *monocle* desktop layout.
709 'top_monocle_padding'::
710 'right_monocle_padding'::
711 'bottom_monocle_padding'::
712 'left_monocle_padding'::
713 Padding space added at the sides of the screen for the *monocle* desktop layout.
716 Set the desktop layout to *monocle* if there's only one tiled window in the tree.
718 'pointer_motion_interval'::
719 The minimum interval, in milliseconds, between two motion notify events.
722 Keyboard modifier used for moving or resizing windows. Accept the following values: *shift*, *control*, *lock*, *mod1*, *mod2*, *mod3*, *mod4*, *mod5*.
727 Action performed when pressing 'pointer_modifier' + 'button<n>'. Accept the following values: *move*, *resize_side*, *resize_corner*, *focus*, *none*.
730 Button used for focusing a window (or a monitor). The possible values are: *button1*, *button2*, *button3*, *any*, *none*. Defaults to *button1*.
732 'swallow_first_click'::
733 Don't replay the click that makes a window focused if 'click_to_focus' isn't *none*.
735 'focus_follows_pointer'::
736 Focus the window under the pointer.
738 'pointer_follows_focus'::
739 When focusing a window, put the pointer at its center.
741 'pointer_follows_monitor'::
742 When focusing a monitor, put the pointer at its center.
744 'mapping_events_count'::
745 Handle the next *mapping_events_count* mapping notify events. A negative value implies that every event needs to be handled.
747 'ignore_ewmh_focus'::
748 Ignore EWMH focus requests coming from applications.
750 'ignore_ewmh_fullscreen'::
751 Block the fullscreen state transitions that originate from an EWMH request. The possible values are: *none*, *all*, or a comma separated list of the following values: *enter*, *exit*.
753 'ignore_ewmh_struts'::
754 BIgnore strut hinting from clients requesting to reserve space (i.e. task bars).
756 'center_pseudo_tiled'::
757 Center pseudo tiled windows into their tiling rectangles. Defaults to 'true'.
760 Apply ICCCM window size hints.
762 'remove_disabled_monitors'::
763 Consider disabled monitors as disconnected.
765 'remove_unplugged_monitors'::
766 Remove unplugged monitors.
768 'merge_overlapping_monitors'::
769 Merge overlapping monitors (the bigger remains).
771 Monitor and Desktop Settings
772 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
778 Padding space added at the sides of the monitor or desktop.
784 Size of the gap that separates windows.
796 Focus the window (or the monitor) under the pointer if the value isn't *none*.
798 'pointer_modifier' + 'button1'::
799 Move the window under the pointer.
801 'pointer_modifier' + 'button2'::
802 Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest side.
804 'pointer_modifier' + 'button3'::
805 Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest corner.
807 The behavior of 'pointer_modifier' + 'button<n>' can be modified through the 'pointer_action<n>' setting.
813 See the next section for the description of the format.
815 'monitor_add <monitor_id> <monitor_name> <monitor_geometry>'::
818 'monitor_rename <monitor_id> <old_name> <new_name>'::
819 A monitor is renamed.
821 'monitor_remove <monitor_id>'::
822 A monitor is removed.
824 'monitor_swap <src_monitor_id> <dst_monitor_id>'::
825 A monitor is swapped.
827 'monitor_focus <monitor_id>'::
828 A monitor is focused.
830 'monitor_geometry <monitor_id> <monitor_geometry>'::
831 The geometry of a monitor changed.
833 'desktop_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <desktop_name>'::
836 'desktop_rename <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <old_name> <new_name>'::
837 A desktop is renamed.
839 'desktop_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
840 A desktop is removed.
842 'desktop_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id>'::
843 A desktop is swapped.
845 'desktop_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id>'::
846 A desktop is transferred.
848 'desktop_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
849 A desktop is focused.
851 'desktop_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
852 A desktop is activated.
854 'desktop_layout <monitor_id> <desktop_id> tiled|monocle'::
855 The layout of a desktop changed.
857 'node_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <ip_id> <node_id>'::
860 'node_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
863 'node_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>'::
866 'node_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>'::
867 A node is transferred.
869 'node_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
872 'node_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
875 'node_presel <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> (dir DIR|ratio RATIO|cancel)'::
876 A node is preselected.
878 'node_stack <node_id_1> below|above <node_id_2>'::
879 A node is stacked below or above another node.
881 'node_geometry <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> <node_geometry>'::
882 The geometry of a window changed.
884 'node_state <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen on|off'::
885 The state of a window changed.
887 'node_flag <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent on|off'::
888 One of the flags of a node changed.
890 'node_layer <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> below|normal|above'::
891 The layer of a window changed.
893 'pointer_action <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> move|resize_corner|resize_side begin|end'::
894 A pointer action occured.
896 Please note that *bspwm* initializes monitors before it reads messages on its socket, therefore the initial monitor events can't be received.
901 Each report event message is composed of items separated by colons.
903 Each item has the form '<type><value>' where '<type>' is the first character of the item.
912 Occupied focused desktop.
915 Occupied unfocused desktop.
918 Free focused desktop.
921 Free unfocused desktop.
924 Urgent focused desktop.
927 Urgent unfocused desktop.
930 Layout of the focused desktop of a monitor.
933 State of the focused node of a focused desktop.
936 Active flags of the focused node of a focused desktop.
938 Environment Variables
939 ---------------------
942 The path of the socket used for the communication between *bspc* and *bspwm*. If it isn't defined, then the following path is used: '/tmp/bspwm<host_name>_<display_number>_<screen_number>-socket'.
947 * Steven Allen <steven at stebalien.com>
948 * Thomas Adam <thomas at xteddy.org>
949 * Ivan Kanakarakis <ivan.kanak at gmail.com>
954 Bastien Dejean <nihilhill at gmail.com>