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|last|
78 older|newer|focused|pointed|
79 biggest|<node_id>)[.[!]focused][.[!]automatic][.[!]local][.[!]active]
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|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 previously focused node relative to the reference node.
110 Selects the node older than the reference node in the history.
113 Selects the node newer than the reference node in the history.
116 Selects the currently focused node.
119 Selects the window under the pointer.
122 Selects the biggest window.
125 Selects the node with the given ID.
130 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).
133 Jumps to the first child.
136 Jumps to the second child.
139 Jumps to the brother node.
142 Jumps to the parent node.
145 Jumps to the node holding the edge in the given direction.
151 Only consider focused or unfocused nodes.
154 Only consider nodes in automatic or manual insertion mode. See also *--presel-dir* under *Node* in the *DOMAINS* section below.
157 Only consider nodes in or not in the reference desktop.
160 Only consider nodes in or not in the active desktop of their monitor.
163 Only consider leaves or internal nodes.
166 Only consider nodes that hold or don't hold a window.
168 [!](tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen)::
169 Only consider windows in or not in the given state.
172 Only consider windows that have or don't have the same class as the reference window.
175 Only consider nodes that are or aren't descendants of the reference node.
178 Only consider nodes that are or aren't ancestors of the reference node.
180 [!](hidden|sticky|private|locked|urgent)::
181 Only consider windows that have or don't have the given flag set.
183 [!](below|normal|above)::
184 Only consider windows in or not in the given layer.
192 DESKTOP_SEL := [DESKTOP_SEL#](CYCLE_DIR|last|older|newer|
193 [MONITOR_SEL:](focused|^<n>)|
194 <desktop_id>|<desktop_name>)[.[!]occupied][.[!]focused][.[!]urgent][.[!]local]
201 Selects the desktop in the given direction relative to the reference desktop.
204 Selects the previously focused desktop relative to the reference desktop.
207 Selects the desktop older than the reference desktop in the history.
210 Selects the desktop newer than the reference desktop in the history.
213 Selects the currently focused desktop.
216 Selects the nth desktop. If *MONITOR_SEL* is given, selects the nth desktop on the selected monitor.
219 Selects the desktop with the given ID.
222 Selects the desktop with the given name.
228 Only consider occupied or free desktops.
231 Only consider focused or unfocused desktops.
234 Only consider urgent or non urgent desktops.
237 Only consider desktops inside or outside of the reference monitor.
245 MONITOR_SEL := [MONITOR_SEL#](DIR|CYCLE_DIR|last|older|newer|
246 focused|pointed|primary|^<n>|
247 <monitor_id>|<monitor_name>)[.[!]occupied][.[!]focused]
254 Selects the monitor in the given (spacial) direction relative to the reference monitor.
257 Selects the monitor in the given (cyclic) direction relative to the reference monitor.
260 Selects the previously focused monitor relative to the reference monitor.
263 Selects the monitor older than the reference monitor in the history.
266 Selects the monitor newer than the reference monitor in the history.
269 Selects the currently focused monitor.
272 Selects the monitor under the pointer.
275 Selects the primary monitor.
278 Selects the nth monitor.
281 Selects the monitor with the given ID.
284 Selects the monitor with the given name.
291 Only consider monitors where the focused desktop is occupied or free.
294 Only consider focused or unfocused monitors.
301 Its size and position are determined by the splitting type and ratio of each node of its path in the window tree.
304 Has an unrestricted size while being centered in its tiling space.
307 Can be moved/resized freely. Although it doesn't occupy any tiling space, it is still part of the window tree.
310 Fills its monitor rectangle and has no borders. It is send in the ABOVE layer by default.
317 Is hidden and doesn't occupy any tiling space.
320 Stays in the focused desktop of its monitor.
323 Tries to keep the same tiling position/size.
326 Ignores the *node --close* message.
329 Has its urgency hint set. This flag is set externally.
335 There's three stacking layers: BELOW, NORMAL and ABOVE.
337 In each layer, the window are orderered as follow: tiled & pseudo-tiled < fullscreen < floating.
349 node ['NODE_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
351 If 'NODE_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
355 *-f*, *--focus* ['NODE_SEL']::
356 Focus the selected or given node.
358 *-a*, *--activate* ['NODE_SEL']::
359 Activate the selected or given node.
361 *-d*, *--to-desktop* 'DESKTOP_SEL'::
362 Send the selected node to the given desktop.
364 *-m*, *--to-monitor* 'MONITOR_SEL'::
365 Send the selected node to the given monitor.
367 *-n*, *--to-node* 'NODE_SEL'::
368 Transplant the selected node to the given node.
370 *-s*, *--swap* 'NODE_SEL'::
371 Swap the selected node with the given node.
373 *-p*, *--presel-dir* \[~]'DIR'|cancel::
374 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".
376 *-o*, *--presel-ratio* 'RATIO'::
377 Set the splitting ratio of the preselection area.
379 *-v*, *--move* 'dx' 'dy'::
380 Move the selected window by 'dx' pixels horizontally and 'dy' pixels vertically.
382 *-z*, *--resize* top|left|bottom|right|top_left|top_right|bottom_right|bottom_left 'dx' 'dy'::
383 Resize the selected window by moving the given handle by 'dx' pixels horizontally and 'dy' pixels vertically.
385 *-r*, *--ratio* 'RATIO'|(+|-)('PIXELS'|'FRACTION')::
386 Set the splitting ratio of the selected node (0 < 'RATIO' < 1).
388 *-R*, *--rotate* '90|270|180'::
389 Rotate the tree rooted at the selected node.
391 *-F*, *--flip* 'horizontal|vertical'::
392 Flip the the tree rooted at selected node.
395 Reset the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node to their default value.
398 Adjust the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node so that all windows occupy the same area.
400 *-C*, *--circulate* forward|backward::
401 Circulate the windows of the tree rooted at the selected node.
403 *-t*, *--state* [~](tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen)::
404 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.
406 *-g*, *--flag* hidden|sticky|private|locked[=on|off]::
407 Set or toggle the given flag for the selected node.
409 *-l*, *--layer* below|normal|above::
410 Set the stacking layer of the selected window.
412 *-i*, *--insert-receptacle*::
413 Insert a receptacle node at the selected node.
416 Close the windows rooted at the selected node.
419 Kill the windows rooted at the selected node.
427 desktop ['DESKTOP_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
429 If 'DESKTOP_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
433 *-f*, *--focus* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
434 Focus the selected or given desktop.
436 *-a*, *--activate* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
437 Activate the selected or given desktop.
439 *-m*, *--to-monitor* 'MONITOR_SEL'::
440 Send the selected desktop to the given monitor.
442 *-l*, *--layout* 'CYCLE_DIR'|monocle|tiled::
443 Set or cycle the layout of the selected desktop.
445 *-n*, *--rename* <new_name>::
446 Rename the selected desktop.
448 *-s*, *--swap* 'DESKTOP_SEL'::
449 Swap the selected desktop with the given desktop.
451 *-b*, *--bubble* 'CYCLE_DIR'::
452 Bubble the selected desktop in the given direction.
455 Remove the selected desktop.
463 monitor ['MONITOR_SEL'] 'COMMANDS'
465 If 'MONITOR_SEL' is omitted, *focused* is assumed.
469 *-f*, *--focus* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
470 Focus the selected or given monitor.
472 *-s*, *--swap* 'MONITOR_SEL'::
473 Swap the selected monitor with the given monitor.
475 *-a*, *--add-desktops* <name>...::
476 Create desktops with the given names in the selected monitor.
478 *-o*, *--reorder-desktops* <name>...::
479 Reorder the desktops of the selected monitor to match the given order.
481 *-d*, *--reset-desktops* <name>...::
482 Rename, add or remove desktops depending on whether the number of given names is equal, superior or inferior to the number of existing desktops.
484 *-g*, *--rectangle* WxH+X+Y::
485 Set the rectangle of the selected monitor.
487 *-n*, *--rename* <new_name>::
488 Rename the selected monitor.
491 Remove the selected monitor.
499 query 'COMMANDS' ['OPTIONS']
504 The optional selectors are references.
506 *-N*, *--nodes* ['NODE_SEL']::
507 List the IDs of the matching nodes.
509 *-D*, *--desktops* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
510 List the IDs (or names) of the matching desktops.
512 *-M*, *--monitors* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
513 List the IDs (or names) of the matching monitors.
516 Print a JSON representation of the matching item.
521 *-m*,*--monitor* ['MONITOR_SEL']::
522 *-d*,*--desktop* ['DESKTOP_SEL']::
523 *-n*, *--node* ['NODE_SEL']::
524 Constrain matches to the selected monitor, desktop or node. The descriptor can be omitted for '-M', '-D' and '-N'.
527 Print names instead of IDs. Can only be used with '-M' and '-D'.
540 *-d*, *--dump-state*::
541 Dump the current world state on standard output.
543 *-l*, *--load-state* <file_path>::
544 Load a world state from the given file.
546 *-a*, *--add-monitor* <name> WxH+X+Y::
547 Add a monitor for the given name and rectangle.
549 *-O*, *--reorder-monitors* <name>...::
550 Reorder the list of monitors to match the given order.
552 *-o*, *--adopt-orphans*::
553 Manage all the unmanaged windows remaining from a previous session.
555 *-h*, *--record-history* on|off::
556 Enable or disable the recording of node focus history.
558 *-g*, *--get-status*::
559 Print the current status information.
572 *-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|center|follow|manage|focus|border)=(on|off)] [rectangle=WxH+X+Y]::
575 *-r*, *--remove* ^<n>|head|tail|(<class_name>|\*)[:(<instance_name>|*)]...::
576 Remove the given rules.
587 config [-m 'MONITOR_SEL'|-d 'DESKTOP_SEL'|-n 'NODE_SEL'] <setting> [<value>]::
588 Get or set the value of <setting>.
595 subscribe ['OPTIONS'] (all|report|monitor|desktop|node|...)*::
596 Continuously print events. See the *EVENTS* section for the description of each event.
602 Print a path to a FIFO from which events can be read and return.
604 *-c*, *--count* 'COUNT'::
605 Stop the corresponding *bspc* process after having received 'COUNT' events.
614 Quit with an optional exit status.
619 If the server can't handle a message, *bspc* will return with a non-zero exit code.
623 Colors are in the form '#RRGGBB', booleans are 'true', 'on', 'false' or 'off'.
625 All the boolean settings are 'false' by default unless stated otherwise.
630 'normal_border_color'::
631 Color of the border of an unfocused window.
633 'active_border_color'::
634 Color of the border of a focused window of an unfocused monitor.
636 'focused_border_color'::
637 Color of the border of a focused window of a focused monitor.
639 'presel_feedback_color'::
640 Color of the *node --presel-{dir,ratio}* message feedback area.
646 Prefix prepended to each of the status lines.
648 'external_rules_command'::
649 External 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).
652 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*.
654 'directional_focus_tightness'::
655 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*.
657 'borderless_monocle'::
658 Remove borders of tiled windows for the *monocle* desktop layout.
661 Remove gaps of tiled windows for the *monocle* desktop layout.
663 'paddingless_monocle'::
664 Remove padding space for the *monocle* desktop layout.
667 Set the desktop layout to *monocle* if there's only one tiled window in the tree.
669 'pointer_motion_interval'::
670 The minimum interval, in milliseconds, between two motion notify events.
673 Keyboard modifier used for moving or resizing windows. Accept the following values: *shift*, *control*, *lock*, *mod1*, *mod2*, *mod3*, *mod4*, *mod5*.
678 Action performed when pressing 'pointer_modifier' + 'button<n>'. Accept the following values: *move*, *resize_side*, *resize_corner*, *focus*, *none*.
681 Button used for focusing a window (or a monitor). The possible values are: *button1*, *button2*, *button3*, *any*, *none*.
683 'swallow_first_click'::
684 Don't replay the click that makes a window focused if 'click_to_focus' isn't *none*.
686 'focus_follows_pointer'::
687 Focus the window under the pointer.
689 'pointer_follows_focus'::
690 When focusing a window, put the pointer at its center.
692 'pointer_follows_monitor'::
693 When focusing a monitor, put the pointer at its center.
695 'ignore_ewmh_focus'::
696 Ignore EWMH focus requests coming from applications.
698 'center_pseudo_tiled'::
699 Center pseudo tiled windows into their tiling rectangles. Defaults to 'true'.
702 Apply ICCCM window size hints.
704 'remove_disabled_monitors'::
705 Consider disabled monitors as disconnected.
707 'remove_unplugged_monitors'::
708 Remove unplugged monitors.
710 'merge_overlapping_monitors'::
711 Merge overlapping monitors (the bigger remains).
713 Monitor and Desktop Settings
714 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
720 Padding space added at the sides of the monitor or desktop.
726 Size of the gap that separates windows.
738 Focus the window (or the monitor) under the pointer if the value isn't *none*.
740 'pointer_modifier' + 'button1'::
741 Move the window under the pointer.
743 'pointer_modifier' + 'button2'::
744 Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest side.
746 'pointer_modifier' + 'button3'::
747 Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest corner.
749 The behavior of 'pointer_modifier' + 'button<n>' can be modified through the 'pointer_action<n>' setting.
755 See the next section for the description of the format.
757 'monitor_add <monitor_id> <monitor_name> <monitor_geometry>'::
760 'monitor_rename <monitor_id> <old_name> <new_name>'::
761 A monitor is renamed.
763 'monitor_remove <monitor_id>'::
764 A monitor is removed.
766 'monitor_swap <src_monitor_id> <dst_monitor_id>'::
767 A monitor is swapped.
769 'monitor_focus <monitor_id>'::
770 A monitor is focused.
772 'monitor_geometry <monitor_id> <monitor_geometry>'::
773 The geometry of a monitor changed.
775 'desktop_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <desktop_name>'::
778 'desktop_rename <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <old_name> <new_name>'::
779 A desktop is renamed.
781 'desktop_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
782 A desktop is removed.
784 'desktop_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id>'::
785 A desktop is swapped.
787 'desktop_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id>'::
788 A desktop is transferred.
790 'desktop_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
791 A desktop is focused.
793 'desktop_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id>'::
794 A desktop is activated.
796 'desktop_layout <monitor_id> <desktop_id> tiled|monocle'::
797 The layout of a desktop changed.
799 'node_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <ip_id> <node_id>'::
802 'node_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
805 'node_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>'::
808 'node_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>'::
809 A node is transferred.
811 'node_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
814 'node_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>'::
817 'node_presel <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> (dir DIR|ratio RATIO|cancel)'::
818 A node is preselected.
820 'node_stack <node_id_1> below|above <node_id_2>'::
821 A node is stacked below or above another node.
823 'node_geometry <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> <node_geometry>'::
824 The geometry of a window changed.
826 'node_state <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen on|off'::
827 The state of a window changed.
829 'node_flag <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> hidden|sticky|private|locked|urgent on|off'::
830 One of the flags of a node changed.
832 'node_layer <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> below|normal|above'::
833 The layer of a window changed.
835 'pointer_action <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> move|resize_corner|resize_side begin|end'::
836 A pointer action occured.
838 Please note that *bspwm* initializes monitors before it reads messages on its socket, therefore the initial monitor events can't be received.
843 Each report event message is composed of items separated by colons.
845 Each item has the form '<type><value>' where '<type>' is the first character of the item.
854 Occupied focused desktop.
857 Occupied unfocused desktop.
860 Free focused desktop.
863 Free unfocused desktop.
866 Urgent focused desktop.
869 Urgent unfocused desktop.
872 Layout of the focused desktop of a monitor.
875 State of the focused node of a focused desktop.
878 Active flags of the focused node of a focused desktop.
880 Environment Variables
881 ---------------------
884 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'.
889 * Steven Allen <steven at stebalien.com>
890 * Thomas Adam <thomas at xteddy.org>
891 * Ivan Kanakarakis <ivan.kanak at gmail.com>
896 Bastien Dejean <nihilhill at gmail.com>