KWin Rules: Difference between revisions

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==Overview==
==Overview==
'''KWin''' allows the end-user to define rules to alter the behavior of an application's windows.
'''KWin''' allows the end-user to define rules to alter the behavior of an application's windows.
{{Tip|Panels can also be affected.}}
: {{Tip|Panels can also be affected.}}
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 by using a rule to, say, always force the window on top of all others.


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===Anatomy===
===Anatomy===


[[Image:kwin-rule-editor.png|250px|center]]
[[Image:kwin-rule-editor.png|350px|center]]


The editor is composed of four tabs:
The editor is composed of four tabs:
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====Evaluation====
====Evaluation====
KWin evaluates the rules when an application starts and after editing rules.  Any matching rule's attribute(s) override the application's corresponding attribute(s).
KWin evaluates the rules when an application starts and after editing rules.  Any matching rule's attribute(s) override the application's corresponding attribute(s).


====Precedence====
====Precedence====
In the <menuchoice>Window Rules</menuchoice> window, the rules are listed in the order in which they are processed.
In the <menuchoice>Window Rules</menuchoice> window, the rules are listed in the order in which they are processed.


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====Conflicts====
====Conflicts====
In the event two rules match a window and affect the same attribute, the first rule in the list takes precedence.
In the event two rules match a window and affect the same attribute, the first rule in the list takes precedence.


===Window Matching===
===Window Matching===


[[Image:kwin-window-matching.png|250px|center]]
[[Image:kwin-window-matching.png|350px|center]]


The <menuchoice>Window Matching</menuchoice> tab provides a series of matching-criteria fields used to identify application windows:
The <menuchoice>Window Matching</menuchoice> tab provides a series of matching-criteria fields used to identify application windows:
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* <menuchoice>Machine (hostname)</menuchoice> - restrict the match to the host name associated with the window.
* <menuchoice>Machine (hostname)</menuchoice> - restrict the match to the host name associated with the window.


{{Tip|While it's possible to manually enter the above information, the preferred method is to use the <menuchoice>Detect Window Properties</menuchoice> button.}}
: {{Tip|While it's possible to manually enter the above information, the preferred method is to use the <menuchoice>Detect Window Properties</menuchoice> button.}}


For each field, the following operators can be applied against the field value:
For each field, the following operators can be applied against the field value:


* '''Unimportant'''
* <menuchoice>Unimportant</menuchoice>
* '''Exact Match'''
* <menuchoice>Exact Match</menuchoice>
* '''Substring Match'''
* <menuchoice>Substring Match</menuchoice>
* '''Regular Expression''' - Qt's regular expressions are implemented.  For additional information, web search ''qt regex nokia''.
* <menuchoice>Regular Expression</menuchoice> - Qt's regular expressions are implemented.  For additional information, web search ''qt regex nokia''.


=====Detect Window Properties=====
=====Detect Window Properties=====
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Click the '''OK''' button to back-fill the <menuchoice>Window Matching</menuchoice> criteria.
Click the <menuchoice>OK</menuchoice> button to back-fill the <menuchoice>Window Matching</menuchoice> criteria.


By using a combination of the information, you can tailor whether a rule applies to an entire application (by '''Class''') or a to a specific window '''Type''' within the '''Class''' - say a '''Toolbar'''.
By using a combination of the information, you can tailor whether a rule applies to an entire application (by '''Class''') or a to a specific window '''Type''' within the '''Class''' - say a '''Toolbar'''.
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===Window Attributes===
===Window Attributes===


[[Image:kwin-window-attributes.png|250px|center]]
[[Image:kwin-window-attributes.png|350px|center]]


The attributes which can be set are grouped in three tabs:
The attributes which can be set are grouped in three tabs:
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====Attributes====
====Attributes====
{{Tip|Using <menuchoice>Detect Window Properties</menuchoice> back-fills values for attributes.  For example the height and width arguments of the '''Size''' attribute is set to the height and width of the detected window.}}
{{Tip|Using <menuchoice>Detect Window Properties</menuchoice> back-fills values for attributes.  For example the height and width arguments of the '''Size''' attribute is set to the height and width of the detected window.}}
=====Size & Position=====
=====Size & Position=====
;Position
;Position
: Position the window's upper left corner at the specified x,y coordinate.
: Position the window's upper left corner at the specified x,y coordinate.
{{Tip|The '''KWin''''s origin, (0,0), is the upper left.}}
:{{Tip|The '''KWin''''s origin, (0,0), is the upper left.}}
;Size
;Size
: The width and height of the window.
: The width and height of the window.
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=====Arrangement & Access=====
=====Arrangement & Access=====
;Keep above
;Keep above
: Def
: Def
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=====Appearance & Fixes=====
=====Appearance & Fixes=====
;Not titlebar and frame
;Not titlebar and frame
: Def
: Def
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====Disposition====
====Disposition====
;Do Not Affect
;Do Not Affect
: Definition
: Definition

Revision as of 16:30, 23 February 2012

Overview

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

Tip

Panels can also be affected.

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.

This page will define the different settings and the attributes. For the impatient folks, working examples will be listed. Whenever possible, screen shots will be used to show example settings.

KWin Rule Editor

Invoking the Editor

There are several ways one can invoke the Rules 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 characteristics of the matching windows.

Rules

Evaluation

KWin evaluates the rules when an application starts and after editing rules. Any matching rule's attribute(s) override the application's corresponding attribute(s).

Precedence

In the Window Rules window, the rules are listed in the order in which they are processed.

The rule at the top of the list is processed first, followed by the next rule until the end of the list is reached.

Conflicts

In the event two rules match a window and affect the same attribute, the first rule in the list takes precedence.

Window Matching

The Window Matching tab provides a series of matching-criteria fields used to identify application windows:

  • Window class (application) - match this window and all its children windows.
    • and Match whole window class
  • Window role - restrict the match to the function of the window (e.g. a main window, a chat window, etc.)
  • Window types - restrict the match to the type of window: Normal Window, Dialog Window, etc.
  • Window title - restrict the match to the title of the window.
  • Machine (hostname) - restrict the match to the host name associated with the window.

Tip

While it's possible to manually enter the above information, the preferred method is to use the Detect Window Properties button.


For each field, the following operators can be applied against the field value:

  • Unimportant
  • Exact Match
  • Substring Match
  • Regular Expression - Qt's regular expressions are implemented. For additional information, web search qt regex nokia.
Detect Window Properties

The Detect Window Properties function simplifies the process of entering the matching-criteria.

  1. For the application you'd like to create a rule, start the application.
  2. Next, set the number of seconds of delay before the Detect Window Properties function starts. The default is zero seconds.
  3. Click on Detect Window Properties and
  4. When the mouse-cursor turns to cross-hairs, place it inside the application window and left-click.
  5. A new window is presented with information about the selected window:
    • Class
    • Role
    • Type
    • Title
    • Machine (hostname)


Click the OK button to back-fill the Window Matching criteria.

By using a combination of the information, you can tailor whether a rule applies to an entire application (by Class) or a to a specific window Type within the Class - say a Toolbar.

Window Attributes

The attributes which can be set are grouped in three tabs:

  1. Size & Position
  2. Arrangement & Access
  3. Appearance & Fixes

Each attribute has additional settings which determine when they're applied and depending on the attribute, there may be an additional argument.

Attributes

Tip

Using Detect Window Properties back-fills values for attributes. For example the height and width arguments of the Size attribute is set to the height and width of the detected window.


Size & Position
Position
Position the window's upper left corner at the specified x,y coordinate.

Tip

The KWin's origin, (0,0), is the upper left.
Size
The width and height of the window.
Maximized horizontally
Def
Maximized vertically
Def
Fullscreen
Def
Desktop
Def
Minimized
Def
Shaded
Def
Initial placement
Def
Ignore requested geometry
Def
Minimum size
Def
Maximum size
Def
Obey geometry restrictions
Def
Arrangement & Access
Keep above
Def
Keep below
Def
Autogroup with identical
Def
Autogroup in foreground
Def
Autogruop by ID
Def
Tiling
Def
Skip taskbar
Def
Skip pager
Def
Skip switcher
Def
Shortcut
Def
Appearance & Fixes
Not titlebar and frame
Def
Active opacity
Def
Inactive opacity
Def
Moving/resizing
Def
Focus stealing prevention
Def
Accept focus
Def
Ignore global shortcuts
Def

Disposition

Do Not Affect
Definition
Apply Initially
Definition
Remember
Def
Force
Def
Apply Now
Def
Force Temporarily
Def

Examples

Force a Window on a Desktop

Force a Window on all Desktops

Suppress a Window showing on Pager

Force a Window to the Top

Good for knotes

Multiple Rules per Application

e.g. Thunderbird on one desktop and composition window on any

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