KWin Rules: Difference between revisions

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    '''KWin''' allows the end-user to define rules to alter the behavior of an application's window attributes.
    '''KWin''' allows the end-user to define rules to alter the behavior of an application's window attributes.


    For example, when an application is started, it can be forced to always run on ''Virtual Desktop 2''.  Or a defect in an application can be worked-around by using a rule to, say, always force the window on top of all others.
    For example, when an application is started, it can be forced to always run on ''Virtual Desktop 2''.  Or a defect in an application can be worked-around to force the window above of others.


    This document provides [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules_Examples|working examples]] along with detail information about the [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules#KWin_Rule_Editor|'''KWin''' Rule Editor]] functionality.
    Step-by-step [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules_Examples|examples]] are provided along with detailed information on using the [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules#KWin_Rule_Editor|'''KWin''' Rule Editor]] to specify [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules_Window_Matching|window matching]] and  [[Special:myLanguage/KWin_Rules_Window_Attributes|window attributes]].


    ==Examples==
    ==Examples==

    Revision as of 14:45, 2 March 2012

    Overview

    KWin allows the end-user to define rules to alter the behavior of an application's window attributes.

    For example, when an application is started, it can be forced to always run on Virtual Desktop 2. Or a defect in an application can be worked-around to force the window above of others.

    Step-by-step examples are provided along with detailed information on using the KWin Rule Editor to specify window matching and window attributes.

    Examples

    A collection of examples is provided to convey the power of KWin window rules.

    KWin Rule Editor

    Invoking the Editor

    There are several ways one can invoke the ules editor. Below are a couple:

    • Right-click on the title-bar of any window, choose Configure Window Behavior ... and in the Configure window, select Window Rules or
    • Configure Desktop -> Window Behavior -> Window Rules

    Anatomy

    The editor is composed of four tabs:

    1. Window matching
    2. Size & Position
    3. Arrangement & Access
    4. Appearance & Fixes

    As the name implies, Window matching is used to specify criteria to match one or more windows. The other three tabs are used to alter the attributes of the matching windows.

    Tip

    Panels can also be affected.


    Rule Evaluation

    When an application starts (or the rules are modified), KWin evaluates the rules from the top of the list, looking for the first matching rule. If a rule matches, the attributes set in the rule are applied to the window and the window is displayed.

    Tip

    As KWin stops processing rules on the first match, when creating multiple rules for an application, list the rules with more restrictive matching criteria first.


    Window Matching

    Each window rule has user specified window matching criteria. KWin uses the criteria to determine whether the rule is applicable for an application.

    Window Attributes

    Along with Window Matching criteria, each window rule has a set of window attributes. The attributes override the corresponding application's settings and are applied before the window is displayed by KWin.