Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

feklee · 2015-04-05 00:02:30

Here’s what should happen, by example:

I start Firefox. That creates a new window (obviously): window A
The WM puts A in a fixed position without window decoration, possibly full screen.
I browse the web, then I open a link in a new window: B
The WM opens B as a floating window with window decoration (close-button, resizable frame). B always stays on top of A, even when A has focus.
When the user closes A, then B is changed from floating to fixed position, just as A before: B takes A's place.

Last edited by feklee (2015-04-05 00:03:05)

zer0rest · 2015-04-05 00:38:47

I think awesome has a mode to do something close to what you're asking, minus the window decoration part.

feklee · 2015-04-05 00:47:49

zer0rest wrote:

minus the window decoration part.

Actually awesome does have window decorations, just no frame for resizing the window, and that's a requirement. (It's not for me.)

What I'm looking for is not necessarily a window manager that already has exactly what I need. I'm happy with a window manager that can be scripted in a flexible way, supporting hooks for all the actions that I described.

Last edited by feklee (2015-04-05 00:48:14)

lucke · 2015-04-05 01:00:49

You can resize windows in awesome with winkey and right mouse button - if you didn't know that.

Trilby · 2015-04-05 01:18:50

Openbox can do most of this. A script using something like wmctrl would be needed to add #5.

Just set up window rules based on a class name. Start the first browser with a class name to be fullscreen, undecorated, and on the bottom layer. Then just have a script running in the background looking for a window of this class - if/when it fails to find one, it sets the next browser window it finds to be of this class.

thisoldman · 2015-04-05 03:06:50

I second Trilby's suggestion. I use openbox with settings to mimic a tiling WM and to minimize using a mouse.

I use no window decorations, no panel and no tray. Most applications start in quarter, half, three-quarter, or full screen positions; or the windows can quickly be sent to one of those positions using keyboard chords. I use another key combination to toggle "Always on top" for a window. Focus does follow the mouse, but I usually switch focus with other keyboard combinations (and my mouse cursor disappears using 'unclutter'). Instead of minimizing an application, I will send the window to a different desktop or shut down the app.

Openbox setup and customization is rather easy but does require hand editing xml configuration files. I'm not fond of that,

feklee · 2015-04-05 11:23:55

Trilby wrote:

A script using something like wmctrl would be needed to add #5.

wmctrl indeed looks interesting, thanks for the suggestion! At the moment I see no advantage of using Openbox over FVWM, which I've used on and off since around '95, the last time maybe five years ago. Nice would be a window manager that can be fully scripted and that provides wmctrl like functionality from within. Sawfish looks interesting actually.

feklee · 2015-04-29 19:10:32

In the end, I decided on FVWM. The result I posted in another thread: Share your FVWM desktop ! :)

Arch Linux

#1 2015-04-05 00:02:30

Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#2 2015-04-05 00:38:47

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#3 2015-04-05 00:47:49

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#4 2015-04-05 01:00:49

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#5 2015-04-05 01:18:50

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#6 2015-04-05 03:06:50

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#7 2015-04-05 11:23:55

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

#8 2015-04-29 19:10:32

Re: Which WM can configure window placement/state according to context?

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