BSPWM(1)

NAME
bspwm - Binary space partitioning window manager

SYNOPSIS

bspwm [-h|-v|-c CONFIG_PATH]

bspc --print-socket-path

bspc DOMAIN [SELECTOR] COMMANDS

bspc COMMAND [OPTIONS] [ARGUMENTS]

DESCRIPTION

bspwm is a tiling window manager that represents windows as the leaves of a full binary tree.

It is controlled and configured via bspc.

OPTIONS

-h
    Print the synopsis and exit.

-v
    Print the version and exit.

-c CONFIG_PATH
    Use the given configuration file.

--print-socket-path
    Print the bspwm socket path and exit.

COMMON DEFINITIONS

    DIR         := north | west | south | east
    CYCLE_DIR   := next | prev

SELECTORS

Selectors are used to select a target node, desktop, or monitor. A selector can either describe the target relatively or name it globally.

Selectors consist of an optional reference, a descriptor and any number of non-conflicting modifiers as follows:

    [REFERENCE#]DESCRIPTOR(.MODIFIER)*

The relative targets are computed in relation to the given reference (the default reference value is focused).

An exclamation mark can be prepended to any modifier in order to reverse its meaning.

The following characters cannot be used in monitor or desktop names: #, :, ..

The special selector %<name> can be used to select a monitor or a desktop with an invalid name.

  Node

Select a node.

    NODE_SEL := [NODE_SEL#](DIR|CYCLE_DIR|PATH|any|first_ancestor|last|newest|
                            older|newer|focused|pointed|biggest|smallest|
                            <node_id>)[.[!]focused][.[!]active][.[!]automatic][.[!]local]
                                      [.[!]leaf][.[!]window][.[!]STATE][.[!]FLAG][.[!]LAYER][.[!]SPLIT_TYPE]
                                      [.[!]same_class][.[!]descendant_of][.[!]ancestor_of]
    STATE := tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen
    FLAG := hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent
    LAYER := below|normal|above
    SPLIT_TYPE := horizontal|vertical
    PATH := @[DESKTOP_SEL:][[/]JUMP](/JUMP)*
    JUMP := first|1|second|2|brother|parent|DIR

Descriptors

    DIR
        Selects the window in the given (spacial) direction relative to the reference node.

    CYCLE_DIR
        Selects the node in the given (cyclic) direction relative to the reference node within a depth-first in-order traversal of the tree.

    PATH
        Selects the node at the given path.

    any
        Selects the first node that matches the given selectors.

    first_ancestor
        Selects the first ancestor of the reference node that matches the given selectors.

    last
        Selects the previously focused node relative to the reference node.

    newest
        Selects the newest node in the history of the focused node.

    older
        Selects the node older than the reference node in the history.

    newer
        Selects the node newer than the reference node in the history.

    focused
        Selects the currently focused node.

    pointed
        Selects the leaf under the pointer.

    biggest
        Selects the biggest leaf.

    smallest
        Selects the smallest leaf.

    <node_id>
        Selects the node with the given ID.

Path Jumps

    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).

    1|first
        Jumps to the first child.

    2|second
        Jumps to the second child.

    brother
        Jumps to the brother node.

    parent
        Jumps to the parent node.

    DIR
        Jumps to the node holding the edge in the given direction.

Modifiers

    [!]focused
        Only consider the focused node.

    [!]active
        Only consider nodes that are the focused node of their desktop.

    [!]automatic
        Only consider nodes in automatic insertion mode. See also --presel-dir under Node in the DOMAINS section below.

    [!]local
        Only consider nodes in the reference desktop.

    [!]leaf
        Only consider leaf nodes.

    [!]window
        Only consider nodes that hold a window.

    [!](tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen)
        Only consider windows in the given state.

    [!]same_class
        Only consider windows that have the same class as the reference window.

    [!]descendant_of
        Only consider nodes that are descendants of the reference node.

    [!]ancestor_of
        Only consider nodes that are ancestors of the reference node.

    [!](hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent)
        Only consider windows that have the given flag set.

    [!](below|normal|above)
        Only consider windows in the given layer.

    [!](horizontal|vertical)
        Only consider nodes with the given split type.

  Desktop

Select a desktop.

    DESKTOP_SEL := [DESKTOP_SEL#](CYCLE_DIR|any|last|newest|older|newer|
                                  [MONITOR_SEL:](focused|^<n>)|
                                  <desktop_id>|<desktop_name>)[.[!]focused][.[!]active]
                                                              [.[!]occupied][.[!]urgent][.[!]local]
                                                              [.[!]LAYOUT][.[!]user_LAYOUT]
    LAYOUT := tiled|monocle

Descriptors

    CYCLE_DIR
        Selects the desktop in the given direction relative to the reference desktop.

    any
        Selects the first desktop that matches the given selectors.

    last
        Selects the previously focused desktop relative to the reference desktop.

    newest
        Selects the newest desktop in the history of the focused desktops.

    older
        Selects the desktop older than the reference desktop in the history.

    newer
        Selects the desktop newer than the reference desktop in the history.

    focused
        Selects the currently focused desktop.

    ^<n>
        Selects the nth desktop. If MONITOR_SEL is given, selects the nth desktop on the selected monitor.

    <desktop_id>
        Selects the desktop with the given ID.

    <desktop_name>
        Selects the desktop with the given name.

Modifiers

    [!]focused
        Only consider the focused desktop.

    [!]active
        Only consider desktops that are the focused desktop of their monitor.

    [!]occupied
        Only consider occupied desktops.

    [!]urgent
        Only consider urgent desktops.

    [!]local
        Only consider desktops inside the reference monitor.

    [!](tiled|monocle)
        Only consider desktops with the given layout.

    [!](user_tiled|user_monocle)
        Only consider desktops which have the given layout as userLayout.

  Monitor

Select a monitor.

    MONITOR_SEL := [MONITOR_SEL#](DIR|CYCLE_DIR|any|last|newest|older|newer|
                                  focused|pointed|primary|^<n>|
                                  <monitor_id>|<monitor_name>)[.[!]focused][.[!]occupied]

Descriptors

    DIR
        Selects the monitor in the given (spacial) direction relative to the reference monitor.

    CYCLE_DIR
        Selects the monitor in the given (cyclic) direction relative to the reference monitor.

    any
        Selects the first monitor that matches the given selectors.

    last
        Selects the previously focused monitor relative to the reference monitor.

    newest
        Selects the newest monitor in the history of the focused monitors.

    older
        Selects the monitor older than the reference monitor in the history.

    newer
        Selects the monitor newer than the reference monitor in the history.

    focused
        Selects the currently focused monitor.

    pointed
        Selects the monitor under the pointer.

    primary
        Selects the primary monitor.

    ^<n>
        Selects the nth monitor.

    <monitor_id>
        Selects the monitor with the given ID.

    <monitor_name>
        Selects the monitor with the given name.

Modifiers

    [!]focused
        Only consider the focused monitor.

    [!]occupied
        Only consider monitors where the focused desktop is occupied.

WINDOW STATES

tiled
    Its size and position are determined by the window tree.

pseudo_tiled
    A tiled window that automatically shrinks but doesn’t stretch beyond its floating size.

floating
    Can be moved/resized freely. Although it doesn’t use any tiling space, it is still part of the window tree.

fullscreen
    Fills its monitor rectangle and has no borders.

NODE FLAGS

hidden
    Is hidden and doesn’t occupy any tiling space.

sticky
    Stays in the focused desktop of its monitor.

private
    Tries to keep the same tiling position/size.

locked
    Ignores the node --close message.

marked
    Is marked (useful for deferred actions). A marked node becomes unmarked after being sent on a preselected node.

urgent
    Has its urgency hint set. This flag is set externally.

STACKING LAYERS

There’s three stacking layers: BELOW, NORMAL and ABOVE.

In each layer, the windows are orderered as follows: tiled & pseudo-tiled < floating < fullscreen.

RECEPTACLES

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.

DOMAINS

  Node

General Syntax

    node [NODE_SEL] COMMANDS

    If NODE_SEL is omitted, focused is assumed.

Commands

    -f, --focus [NODE_SEL]
        Focus the selected or given node.

    -a, --activate [NODE_SEL]
        Activate the selected or given node.

    -d, --to-desktop DESKTOP_SEL [--follow]
        Send the selected node to the given desktop. If --follow is passed, the focused node will stay focused.

    -m, --to-monitor MONITOR_SEL [--follow]
        Send the selected node to the given monitor. If --follow is passed, the focused node will stay focused.

    -n, --to-node NODE_SEL [--follow]
        Send the selected node on the given node. If --follow is passed, the focused node will stay focused.

    -s, --swap NODE_SEL [--follow]
        Swap the selected node with the given node. If --follow is passed, the focused node will stay focused.

    -p, --presel-dir [~]DIR|cancel
        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".

    -o, --presel-ratio RATIO
        Set the splitting ratio of the preselection area.

    -v, --move dx dy
        Move the selected window by dx pixels horizontally and dy pixels vertically.

    -z, --resize top|left|bottom|right|top_left|top_right|bottom_right|bottom_left dx dy
        Resize the selected window by moving the given handle by dx pixels horizontally and dy pixels vertically.

    -y, --type CYCLE_DIR|horizontal|vertical
        Set or cycle the splitting type of the selected node.

    -r, --ratio RATIO|(+|-)(PIXELS|FRACTION)
        Set the splitting ratio of the selected node (0 < RATIO < 1).

    -R, --rotate 90|270|180
        Rotate the tree rooted at the selected node.

    -F, --flip horizontal|vertical
        Flip the tree rooted at selected node.

    -E, --equalize
        Reset the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node to their default value.

    -B, --balance
        Adjust the split ratios of the tree rooted at the selected node so that all windows occupy the same area.

    -C, --circulate forward|backward
        Circulate the windows of the tree rooted at the selected node.

    -t, --state ~|[~]STATE
        Set the state of the selected window. If ~ is present and the current state matches STATE, then the argument is interpreted as its last state. If the argument is just ~ with STATE omitted, then the state of the selected window is set to its last state.

    -g, --flag hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked[=on|off]
        Set or toggle the given flag for the selected node.

    -l, --layer below|normal|above
        Set the stacking layer of the selected window.

    -i, --insert-receptacle
        Insert a receptacle node at the selected node.

    -c, --close
        Close the windows rooted at the selected node.

    -k, --kill
        Kill the windows rooted at the selected node.

  Desktop

General Syntax

    desktop [DESKTOP_SEL] COMMANDS

    If DESKTOP_SEL is omitted, focused is assumed.

COMMANDS

    -f, --focus [DESKTOP_SEL]
        Focus the selected or given desktop.

    -a, --activate [DESKTOP_SEL]
        Activate the selected or given desktop.

    -m, --to-monitor MONITOR_SEL [--follow]
        Send the selected desktop to the given monitor. If --follow is passed, the focused desktop will stay focused.

    -s, --swap DESKTOP_SEL [--follow]
        Swap the selected desktop with the given desktop. If --follow is passed, the focused desktop will stay focused.

    -l, --layout CYCLE_DIR|monocle|tiled
        Set or cycle the layout of the selected desktop.

    -n, --rename <new_name>
        Rename the selected desktop.

    -b, --bubble CYCLE_DIR
        Bubble the selected desktop in the given direction.

    -r, --remove
        Remove the selected desktop.

  Monitor

General Syntax

    monitor [MONITOR_SEL] COMMANDS

    If MONITOR_SEL is omitted, focused is assumed.

Commands

    -f, --focus [MONITOR_SEL]
        Focus the selected or given monitor.

    -s, --swap MONITOR_SEL
        Swap the selected monitor with the given monitor.

    -a, --add-desktops <name>...
        Create desktops with the given names in the selected monitor.

    -o, --reorder-desktops <name>...
        Reorder the desktops of the selected monitor to match the given order.

    -d, --reset-desktops <name>...
        Rename, add or remove desktops depending on whether the number of given names is equal, superior or inferior to the number of existing desktops.

    -g, --rectangle WxH+X+Y
        Set the rectangle of the selected monitor.

    -n, --rename <new_name>
        Rename the selected monitor.

    -r, --remove
        Remove the selected monitor.

  Query

General Syntax

    query COMMANDS [OPTIONS]

Commands

    The optional selectors are references.

    -N, --nodes [NODE_SEL]
        List the IDs of the matching nodes.

    -D, --desktops [DESKTOP_SEL]
        List the IDs (or names) of the matching desktops.

    -M, --monitors [MONITOR_SEL]
        List the IDs (or names) of the matching monitors.

    -T, --tree
        Print a JSON representation of the matching item.

Options

    -m,--monitor [MONITOR_SEL|MONITOR_MODIFIERS], -d,--desktop [DESKTOP_SEL|DESKTOP_MODIFIERS], -n,--node [NODE_SEL|NODE_MODIFIERS]
        Constrain matches to the selected monitors, desktops or nodes.

    --names
        Print names instead of IDs. Can only be used with -M and -D.

  Wm

General Syntax

    wm COMMANDS

Commands

    -d, --dump-state
        Dump the current world state on standard output.

    -l, --load-state <file_path>
        Load a world state from the given file. The path must be absolute.

    -a, --add-monitor <name> WxH+X+Y
        Add a monitor for the given name and rectangle.

    -O, --reorder-monitors <name>...
        Reorder the list of monitors to match the given order.

    -o, --adopt-orphans
        Manage all the unmanaged windows remaining from a previous session.

    -h, --record-history on|off
        Enable or disable the recording of node focus history.

    -g, --get-status
        Print the current status information.

    -r, --restart
        Restart the window manager

  Rule

General Syntax

    rule COMMANDS

Commands

    -a, --add (<class_name>|*)[:(<instance_name>|*)[:(<name>|*)]] [-o|--one-shot] [monitor=MONITOR_SEL|desktop=DESKTOP_SEL|node=NODE_SEL] [state=STATE] [layer=LAYER] [honor_size_hints=(true|false|tiled|floating)] [split_dir=DIR] [split_ratio=RATIO] [(hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|center|follow|manage|focus|border)=(on|off)] [rectangle=WxH+X+Y]
        Create a new rule. Colons in the instance_name, class_name, or name fields can be escaped with a backslash.

    -r, --remove ^<n>|head|tail|(<class_name>|*)[:(<instance_name>|*)[:(<name>|*)]]...
        Remove the given rules.

    -l, --list
        List the rules.

  Config

General Syntax

    config [-m MONITOR_SEL|-d DESKTOP_SEL|-n NODE_SEL] <setting> [<value>]
        Get or set the value of <setting>.

  Subscribe

General Syntax

    subscribe [OPTIONS] (all|report|monitor|desktop|node|...)*
        Continuously print events. See the EVENTS section for the description of each event.

Options

    -f, --fifo
        Print a path to a FIFO from which events can be read and return.

    -c, --count COUNT
        Stop the corresponding bspc process after having received COUNT events.

  Quit

General Syntax

    quit [<status>]
        Quit with an optional exit status.

EXIT CODES

If the server can’t handle a message, bspc will return with a non-zero exit code.

SETTINGS

Colors are in the form #RRGGBB, booleans are true, on, false or off.

All the boolean settings are false by default unless stated otherwise.

  Global Settings

normal_border_color
    Color of the border of an unfocused window.

active_border_color
    Color of the border of a focused window of an unfocused monitor.

focused_border_color
    Color of the border of a focused window of a focused monitor.

presel_feedback_color
    Color of the node --presel-{dir,ratio} message feedback area.

split_ratio
    Default split ratio.

status_prefix
    Prefix prepended to each of the status lines.

external_rules_command
    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).

automatic_scheme
    The insertion scheme used when the insertion point is in automatic mode. Accept the following values: longest_side, alternate, spiral.

initial_polarity
    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.

directional_focus_tightness
    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.

removal_adjustment
    Adjust the brother when unlinking a node from the tree in accordance with the automatic insertion scheme.

presel_feedback
    Draw the preselection feedback area. Defaults to true.

borderless_monocle
    Remove borders of tiled windows for the monocle desktop layout.

gapless_monocle
    Remove gaps of tiled windows for the monocle desktop layout.

top_monocle_padding, right_monocle_padding, bottom_monocle_padding, left_monocle_padding
    Padding space added at the sides of the screen for the monocle desktop layout.

single_monocle
    Set the desktop layout to monocle if there’s only one tiled window in the tree.

borderless_singleton
    Remove borders of the only window on the only monitor regardless its layout.

pointer_motion_interval
    The minimum interval, in milliseconds, between two motion notify events.

pointer_modifier
    Keyboard modifier used for moving or resizing windows. Accept the following values: shift, control, lock, mod1, mod2, mod3, mod4, mod5.

pointer_action1, pointer_action2, pointer_action3
    Action performed when pressing pointer_modifier + button<n>. Accept the following values: move, resize_side, resize_corner, focus, none.

click_to_focus
    Button used for focusing a window (or a monitor). The possible values are: button1, button2, button3, any, none. Defaults to button1.

swallow_first_click
    Don’t replay the click that makes a window focused if click_to_focus isn’t none.

focus_follows_pointer
    Focus the window under the pointer.

pointer_follows_focus
    When focusing a window, put the pointer at its center.

pointer_follows_monitor
    When focusing a monitor, put the pointer at its center.

mapping_events_count
    Handle the next mapping_events_count mapping notify events. A negative value implies that every event needs to be handled.

ignore_ewmh_focus
    Ignore EWMH focus requests coming from applications.

ignore_ewmh_fullscreen
    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.

ignore_ewmh_struts
    Ignore strut hinting from clients requesting to reserve space (i.e. task bars).

center_pseudo_tiled
    Center pseudo tiled windows into their tiling rectangles. Defaults to true.

remove_disabled_monitors
    Consider disabled monitors as disconnected.

remove_unplugged_monitors
    Remove unplugged monitors.

merge_overlapping_monitors
    Merge overlapping monitors (the bigger remains).

  Monitor and Desktop Settings

top_padding, right_padding, bottom_padding, left_padding
    Padding space added at the sides of the monitor or desktop.

  Desktop Settings

window_gap
    Size of the gap that separates windows.

  Node Settings

border_width
    Window border width.

honor_size_hints
    If true, apply ICCCM window size hints to all windows. If floating, only apply them to floating and pseudo tiled windows. If tiled, only apply them to tiled windows. If false, don’t apply them. Defaults to false.

POINTER BINDINGS

click_to_focus
    Focus the window (or the monitor) under the pointer if the value isn’t none.

pointer_modifier + button1
    Move the window under the pointer.

pointer_modifier + button2
    Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest side.

pointer_modifier + button3
    Resize the window under the pointer by dragging the nearest corner.

The behavior of pointer_modifier + button<n> can be modified through the pointer_action<n> setting.

EVENTS

report
    See the next section for the description of the format.

monitor_add <monitor_id> <monitor_name> <monitor_geometry>
    A monitor is added.

monitor_rename <monitor_id> <old_name> <new_name>
    A monitor is renamed.

monitor_remove <monitor_id>
    A monitor is removed.

monitor_swap <src_monitor_id> <dst_monitor_id>
    A monitor is swapped.

monitor_focus <monitor_id>
    A monitor is focused.

monitor_geometry <monitor_id> <monitor_geometry>
    The geometry of a monitor changed.

desktop_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <desktop_name>
    A desktop is added.

desktop_rename <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <old_name> <new_name>
    A desktop is renamed.

desktop_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id>
    A desktop is removed.

desktop_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id>
    A desktop is swapped.

desktop_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <dst_monitor_id>
    A desktop is transferred.

desktop_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id>
    A desktop is focused.

desktop_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id>
    A desktop is activated.

desktop_layout <monitor_id> <desktop_id> tiled|monocle
    The layout of a desktop changed.

node_add <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <ip_id> <node_id>
    A node is added.

node_remove <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>
    A node is removed.

node_swap <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>
    A node is swapped.

node_transfer <src_monitor_id> <src_desktop_id> <src_node_id> <dst_monitor_id> <dst_desktop_id> <dst_node_id>
    A node is transferred.

node_focus <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>
    A node is focused.

node_activate <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id>
    A node is activated.

node_presel <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> (dir DIR|ratio RATIO|cancel)
    A node is preselected.

node_stack <node_id_1> below|above <node_id_2>
    A node is stacked below or above another node.

node_geometry <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> <node_geometry>
    The geometry of a window changed.

node_state <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> tiled|pseudo_tiled|floating|fullscreen on|off
    The state of a window changed.

node_flag <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> hidden|sticky|private|locked|marked|urgent on|off
    One of the flags of a node changed.

node_layer <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> below|normal|above
    The layer of a window changed.

pointer_action <monitor_id> <desktop_id> <node_id> move|resize_corner|resize_side begin|end
    A pointer action occurred.

Please note that bspwm initializes monitors before it reads messages on its socket, therefore the initial monitor events can’t be received.

REPORT FORMAT

Each report event message is composed of items separated by colons.

Each item has the form <type><value> where <type> is the first character of the item.

M<monitor_name>
    Focused monitor.

m<monitor_name>
    Unfocused monitor.

O<desktop_name>
    Occupied focused desktop.

o<desktop_name>
    Occupied unfocused desktop.

F<desktop_name>
    Free focused desktop.

f<desktop_name>
    Free unfocused desktop.

U<desktop_name>
    Urgent focused desktop.

u<desktop_name>
    Urgent unfocused desktop.

L(T|M)
    Layout of the focused desktop of a monitor.

T(T|P|F|=|@)
    State of the focused node of a focused desktop.

G(S?P?L?M?)
    Active flags of the focused node of a focused desktop.

ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES

BSPWM_SOCKET
    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.

CONTRIBUTORS

    • Steven Allen <steven at stebalien.com>

    • Thomas Adam <thomas at xteddy.org>

    • Ivan Kanakarakis <ivan.kanak at gmail.com>

AUTHOR

Bastien Dejean <nihilhill at gmail.com>