Rules
Define behavior for specific windows, tags, and layers.
Window Rules
Window rules allow you to set specific properties (floating, opacity, size, animations, etc.) for applications based on their app_id or title. You can set all parameters in one line, and if you both set app_id and title, the window will only follow the rules when app_id and title both match.
Format:
# Set window rules that apply to every times when the window is opened
window_rule=Parameter:Values,title:Values
window_rule=Parameter:Values,Parameter:Values,app_id:Values,title:Values
# Set window rules that only apply once when the window is opened
window_rule_once=Parameter:Values,title:Values
window_rule_once=Parameter:Values,Parameter:Values,app_id:Values,title:ValuesState & Behavior Parameters
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
app_id | string | Any | Match by application ID, supports regex |
title | string | Any | Match by window title, supports regex |
is_floating | integer | 0 / 1 | Force floating state |
is_fullscreen | integer | 0 / 1 | Force fullscreen state |
is_fake_fullscreen | integer | 0 / 1 | Force fake-fullscreen state (window stays constrained) |
is_global | integer | 0 / 1 | Open as global window (sticky across tags) |
is_overlay | integer | 0 / 1 | Make it always in top layer |
is_open_silent | integer | 0 / 1 | Open without focus |
is_tag_silent | integer | 0 / 1 | Don't focus if client is not in current view tag |
force_fake_maximize | integer | 0 / 1 (default 1) | The state of client set to fake maximized |
ignore_maximize | integer | 0 / 1 (default 1) | Don't handle maximize request from client |
ignore_minimize | integer | 0 / 1 (default 1) | Don't handle minimize request from client |
force_tiled_state | integer | 0 / 1 | Deceive the window into thinking it is tiling, so it better adheres to assigned dimensions |
single_scratchpad | integer | 0 / 1 (default 1) | Only show one out of named scratchpads or the normal scratchpad |
allow_shortcuts_inhibit | integer | 0 / 1 (default 1) | Allow shortcuts to be inhibited by clients |
idle_inhibit_when_focus | integer | 0 / 1 (default 0) | Automatically keep idle inhibit active when this window is focused |
vrr_only_fullscreen | integer | 0 / 1 (default 0) | VRR only fullscreen,you need to turn vrr to 0 in monitor rule first |
shield_when_capture | integer | 0 / 1 | Shield window when captured |
force_render | integer | 0 / 1 | Force render frame even if the window is not visible |
activation_bypass | integer | 0 / 1 | Bypass xdg-activation authentication: activation requests for this window are treated as authenticated, so the normal activation behavior applies regardless of token validity |
Geometry & Position
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
width | float | 0-9999 | Window width when it becomes a floating window,if the value below 1, it will be the percentage of the screen width,otherwise it will be the pixel value |
height | float | 0-9999 | Window height when it becomes a floating window,if the value below 1, it will be the percentage of the screen height,otherwise it will be the pixel value |
offset_x | integer | -999-999 | X offset from center (%), 100 is the edge of screen with outer gap |
offset_y | integer | -999-999 | Y offset from center (%), 100 is the edge of screen with outer gap |
monitor | string | Any | Assign to monitor by monitor spec (name, make, model, or serial) |
tags | mask | 0-9 / 1|3|5 | Assign to specific one tag (use 0 for special workspace overlay) or multiple tags (use | to split multiple tags) |
no_force_center | integer | 0 / 1 | Window does not force center |
no_size_hint | integer | 0 / 1 | Don't use min size and max size for size hints |
Visuals & Decoration
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
no_blur | integer | 0 / 1 | Window does not have blur effect |
no_border | integer | 0 / 1 | Remove window border |
no_shadow | integer | 0 / 1 | Not apply shadow |
no_radius | integer | 0 / 1 | Not apply corner radius |
no_animation | integer | 0 / 1 | Not apply animation |
focused_opacity | integer | 0 / 1 | Window focused opacity |
unfocused_opacity | integer | 0 / 1 | Window unfocused opacity |
allow_csd | integer | 0 / 1 | Allow client side decoration |
confine_pointer | integer | 0 / 1 | While this window is focused and visible, force the cursor to stay inside it (does not require the client to use the pointer constraints protocol) |
Tip: For detailed visual effects configuration, see the Window Effects page for blur, shadows, and opacity settings.
Layout & Scroller
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
scroller_proportion | float | 0.1-1.0 | Set scroller proportion |
scroller_proportion_single | float | 0.1-1.0 | Set scroller auto adjust proportion when it is single window |
Tip: For comprehensive layout configuration, see the Layouts page for all layout options and detailed settings.
Animation
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
animation_type_open | string | zoom, slide, fade, none | Set open animation |
animation_type_close | string | zoom, slide, fade, none | Set close animation |
no_fade_in | integer | 0 / 1 | Window ignores fade-in animation |
no_fade_out | integer | 0 / 1 | Window ignores fade-out animation |
Tip: For detailed animation configuration, see the Animations page for available types and settings.
Terminal & Swallowing
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
is_term | integer | 0 / 1 | A new GUI window will replace the is_term window when it is opened |
no_swallow | integer | 0 / 1 | The window will not replace the is_term window |
Global & Special Windows
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
global_key_binding | string | [mod combination][-][key] | Global keybinding (only works for Wayland apps) |
is_unmanaged_global | integer | 0 / 1 | Open as unmanaged global window (for desktop pets or camera windows) |
is_named_scratchpad | integer | 0 / 1 | 0: disable, 1: named scratchpad |
Tip: For scratchpad usage, see the Scratchpad page for detailed configuration examples.
Performance & Tearing
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
force_tearing | integer | 0 / 1 | Set window to tearing state, refer to Tearing |
Examples
# Set specific window size and position
window_rule=width:1000,height:900,app_id:yesplaymusic,title:Demons
# Global keybindings for OBS Studio
window_rule=global_key_binding:ctrl+alt-o,app_id:com.obsproject.Studio
window_rule=global_key_binding:ctrl+alt-n,app_id:com.obsproject.Studio
window_rule=is_open_silent:1,app_id:com.obsproject.Studio
# Force tearing for games
window_rule=force_tearing:1,title:vkcube
# Skip xdg-activation authentication for this app
window_rule=activation_bypass:1,app_id:org.example.App
window_rule=force_tearing:1,title:Counter-Strike 2
# Named scratchpad for file manager
window_rule=is_named_scratchpad:1,width:1280,height:800,app_id:st-yazi
# Custom opacity for specific apps
window_rule=focused_opacity:0.8,app_id:firefox
window_rule=unfocused_opacity:0.6,app_id:foot
# Position windows relative to screen center
window_rule=offset_x:20,offset_y:-30,width:800,height:600,app_id:alacritty
# Send to specific tag and monitor
window_rule=tags:9,monitor:HDMI-A-1,app_id:discord
# Terminal swallowdby setup
window_rule=is_term:1,app_id:st
window_rule=no_swallow:1,app_id:foot
# Disable client-side decorations
window_rule=allow_csd:1,app_id:firefox
# Unmanaged global window (desktop pets, camera)
window_rule=is_unmanaged_global:1,app_id:cheese
# Named scratchpad toggle
bind=alt,h,toggle_named_scratchpad,st-yazi,none,st -c st-yazi -e yaziTag Rules
You can set all parameters in one line. If only id is set, the rule is followed when the id matches. If any of monitor_name, monitor_make, monitor_model, or monitor_serial are set, the rule is followed only if all of the set monitor fields match.
Warning: Layouts set in tag rules have a higher priority than monitor rule layouts.
Format:
tag_rule=id:Values,Parameter:Values,Parameter:Values
tag_rule=id:Values,monitor_name:eDP-1,Parameter:Values,Parameter:Values
tag_rule=id:Values,monitor_make:xxx,monitor_model:xxx,Parameter:Values
tag_rule=id:*,Parameter:ValuesTip: See Layouts for detailed descriptions of each layout type.
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
id | integer / wildcard | 0-9 / * | Match by tag id, 0 means the ~0 tag. Use * to match all tags at once |
monitor_name | string | monitor name | Match by monitor name |
monitor_make | string | monitor make | Match by monitor manufacturer |
monitor_model | string | monitor model | Match by monitor model |
monitor_serial | string | monitor serial | Match by monitor serial number |
layout_name | string | layout name | Layout name to set |
no_render_border | integer | 0 / 1 | Disable render border |
open_as_floating | integer | 0 / 1 | New open window will be floating |
no_hide | integer | 0 / 1 | Not hide even if the tag is empty |
master_count | integer | 0, 99 | Number of master windows |
master_factor | float | 0.1–0.9 | Master area factor |
scroller_default_proportion | float | 0.1-1.0 | Set scroller default proportion. |
scroller_default_proportion_single | float | 0.1-1.0 | Set scroller auto adjust proportion when it is single window(only apply when set scroller_ignore_proportion_single to 0) |
scroller_ignore_proportion_single | integer | 0 / 1 | Ignore scroller single proportion setting. |
Examples
# Set layout for all tags at once (equivalent to the two rules below)
tag_rule=id:*,layout_name:scroller
# Set layout for specific tags
tag_rule=id:1,layout_name:scroller
tag_rule=id:2,layout_name:scroller
# Limit to specific monitor
tag_rule=id:1,monitor_name:eDP-1,layout_name:scroller
tag_rule=id:2,monitor_name:eDP-1,layout_name:scroller
# Persistent tags (1-4) with layout assignment
tag_rule=id:1,no_hide:1,layout_name:scroller
tag_rule=id:2,no_hide:1,layout_name:scroller
tag_rule=id:3,monitor_name:eDP-1,no_hide:1,layout_name:scroller
tag_rule=id:4,monitor_name:eDP-1,no_hide:1,layout_name:scroller
# Advanced tag configuration with master layout settings
tag_rule=id:5,layout_name:tile,master_count:2,master_factor:0.6
tag_rule=id:6,monitor_name:HDMI-A-1,layout_name:monocle,no_render_border:1
# set scroller proportion for specific tag
tag_rule=id:1,layout_name:scroller,scroller_default_proportion_single:0.5,scroller_ignore_proportion_single:0,scroller_default_proportion:0.9,monitor_name:HDMI-A-1
Tip: For Waybar configuration with persistent tags, see Status Bar documentation.
Layer Rules
You can set all parameters in one line. Target "layer shell" surfaces like status bars (waybar), launchers (rofi), or notification daemons.
Format:
layer_rule=layer_name:Values,Parameter:Values,Parameter:ValuesTip: You can use
mmsg get last_open_surfaceto get the last open layer name for debugging.
| Parameter | Type | Values | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
layer_name | string | layer name | Match name of layer, supports regex |
animation_type_open | string | slide, zoom, fade, none | Set open animation |
animation_type_close | string | slide, zoom, fade, none | Set close animation |
no_blur | integer | 0 / 1 | Disable blur |
no_animation | integer | 0 / 1 | Disable layer animation |
no_shadow | integer | 0 / 1 | Disable layer shadow |
shield_when_capture | integer | 0 / 1 | Shield layer when captured.(it is better to combination with no_animation:1) |
Tip: For animation types, see Animations. For visual effects, see Window Effects.
Examples
# No blur or animation for slurp selection layer (avoids occlusion and ghosting in screenshots)
layer_rule=no_animation:1,no_blur:1,layer_name:selection
# Zoom animation for Rofi with multiple parameters
layer_rule=animation_type_open:zoom,no_animation:0,layer_name:rofi
# Disable animations and shadows for notification daemon
layer_rule=no_animation:1,no_shadow:1,layer_name:swaync
# Multiple effects for launcher
layer_rule=animation_type_open:slide,animation_type_close:fade,no_blur:1,layer_name:wofi