README

#
# Copyright © 2011-2017 Andreas Rönnquist.
# Copyright © 2019-2021 Darren Salt.
# This file is distributed under the same license
# as the devilspie2 package, see COPYING file.
#

Devilspie 2
-----------

Devilspie 2 is based on the excellent program Devil's Pie by Ross Burton, and
takes a folder as indata, and checks that folder for Lua scripts. These
scripts are run each time a window is opened or closed, and the rules in them
are applied on the window.

Unfortunately the rules of the original Devils Pie are not supported.

If you don't give devilspie2 any folder with --folder, it will read Lua scripts
from the folder that it gets from the GLib function g_get_user_config_dir with
devilspie2/ added to the end - g_get_user_config_dir returns the config
directory as defined in the XDG Base Directory Specification. In most cases
would be the ~/.config/devilspie2/ folder, and this folder will be created if
it doesn't already exist. This folder is changeable with the --folder option.
If devilspie2 doesn't find any Lua files in the folder, it will stop execution.

Devilspie2 will load all the Lua files in this folder in alphabetical order.

Devilspie2 takes some options:

-h, --help          Show help options

-d, --debug         Print debug information to stdout
-e, --emulate       Don't apply any rules, but only emulate execution
-f, --folder        From which folder should we load our Lua scripts
-v, --version       Print program version and quit
-w, --wnck-version  Show version of libwnck and quit


Config
-------

A config is read from the folder where we read all scripts, and is customizable
by the --folder option. By default this folder is ~/.config/devilspie2/.

If there is a file named devilspie2.lua in this folder, it is read and it is
searched for a variable (a lua table of strings) named either
scripts_window_close, scripts_window_focus or scripts_window_blur -
The filenames in the strings in this table will be called when windows are
closed, focused or blurred respectively. If these variables isn't present in
this file, it will be called as a devilspie2 script file like any other.

For example:

--
scripts_window_close = {
   "file1.lua",
   "file2.lua"
}

This would make the files file1.lua and file2.lua interpreted when windows are
closing instead of when windows are opening.


Scripting
---------

You can choose to have all script functionality in one file, or you can split
it up into several, Devilspie2 runs on all Lua files in your requested
devilspie2 folder, by default ~/.config/devilspie2 - that is all files with a
.lua extension.

The scripting language used is Lua; https://see www.lua.org/

  FAQ:           https://www.lua.org/FAQ.html
  Documentation: https://www.lua.org/docs.html
  Tutorials:     http://lua-users.org/wiki/TutorialDirectory


The following commands are recognised by the Devilspie2 Lua interpreter:

First, a function to show some debug info


debug_print(string)

   Debug helper that prints a string to stdout. The string is only printed to
   stdout if devilspie2 is run with the --debug option, otherwise nothing will
   be printed.




Then, there are the functions to get the properties of a window, and related
information:


get_window_name()

   returns a string containing the name of the current window.


get_window_has_name()

   return true or false depending on if the window has a name or not
   (from version 0.20)


get_application_name()

   returns the application name of the current window.


get_process_name()

   returns the name of the process owning the current window.

   On (at least) Linux, the process name is read from /proc/<pid>/comm. If
   that's not possible, 'ps' is launched in a shell. For this reason, you
   should avoid calling get_process_name() more than necessary.

   This function is not compatible with busybox ps.

   (Available from version 0.44)


get_window_geometry()

   Returns the window geometry as four numbers - x-position, y-position,
   width and height. (from version 0.16) - for example you can do something
	like this:

	x, y, width, height = get_window_geometry();
	print("X: "..x..", Y: "..y..", width: "..width..", height: "..height);


get_window_client_geometry()

   returns the window geometry excluding the window manager borders as four
   numbers, x-position, y-position, width and height. (from version 0.16) -
	see get_window_geometry for an example on how to use this function.


get_window_is_maximized()
get_window_is_maximised()

   Returns true if the window is maximised, false otherwise. (available from
   version 0.21; -ise from 0.45)


get_window_is_maximized_vertically()
get_window_is_maximised_vertically()

   Returns true if the window is vertically maximised, false otherwise.
   (available from version 0.21; -ise from 0.45)


get_window_is_maximized_horizontally()
get_window_is_maximised_horizontally()

   Returns true if the window is horizontally maximised, false otherwise.
   (available from version 0.21; -ise from 0.45)


get_window_is_decorated()

   Returns true if the window is decorated, false otherwise.
   (Available from version 0.44.)


get_window_type()

   Returns the type of the window - The result type is a string, and can
   be one of the following:

   "WINDOW_TYPE_NORMAL"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_DESKTOP"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_DOCK"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_DIALOG"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_TOOLBAR"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_MENU"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_UTILITY"
   "WINDOW_TYPE_SPLASHSCREEN"

   or "WINDOW_TYPE_UNRECOGNIZED" if libwnck didn't recognise the type.

   If the function for some reason didn't have a window to work on the string
   result is "WINDOW_ERROR".

   (available from version 0.21)


get_class_instance_name()

   Gets the class instance name from the WM_CLASS Property for the current
   window. Only available on libwnck 3+, and in devilspie2 version 0.21 or
   later.


get_class_group_name()

   Gets the class group name from the WM_CLASS Property for the current
   window. Only available on libwnck 3+, and in devilspie2 version 0.45 or
   later.


get_window_property(property)

   Returns the window property described in the property string. For a list of
   available properties, you should see the page
   http://standards.freedesktop.org/wm-spec/wm-spec-latest.html

   (Available from version 0.21)


get_window_role

   Returns a string describing the current window role of the matched window as
   defined by it's WM_WINDOW_ROLE hint.


get_window_xid

   Returns the X window id of the current window.


get_window_class

   Returns a string representing the class of the current window.


get_workspace_count

	Return the number of workspaces available (available from version 0.27)


get_screen_geometry

	Returns the screen geometry (two numbers) for the screen of the
	current window (available from version 0.29)


get_window_fullscreen
get_fullscreen

	Returns TRUE if the window is fullscreen, FALSE otherwise
	(available from version 0.32)


get_monitor_index

   Returns the index of the monitor containing the window centre (or some
   part of the window).
   (Available from version 0.44)


get_monitor_geometry

   Returns x, y, width, height for the window's monitor.
   (Available from version 0.44)


get_monitor_geometry(index)

   Returns x, y, width, height for the given monitor.
   If the index is out of range, nothing is returned.


and the rest of the commands are used to modify the properties of the windows:


set_adjust_for_decoration([bool])

   Allow for situations where moving or resizing the window is done
   incorrectly, i.e.
      set_window_position(0,0)
   results in the window decoration being taken into account twice, i.e. 
   the window (including decoration) is offset from the top left corner by
   the width of the left side decoration and the height of the title bar.

   This is currently off by default, and is sticky: if you do not explicitly
   set it in your script, its current value is retained.

   If used, it should be used at the start of the script.

   This affects the following functions:
      set_window_geometry
      set_window_position
      set_window_size
      xy
      xywh

   (Available from version 0.45)


set_window_position(xpos, ypos, [index])

   Set the position of a window.

   If index is specified then the co-ordinates are relative to a corner of
   the specified monitor (counting from 1) on the current workspace. Which
   corner is determined by the co-ordinates' signs:
      +ve X ⇒ left, -ve X ⇒ right;
      +ve Y ⇒ top,  -ve Y ⇒ bottom.

   NOTE: since -0 would have a use here but is equal to +0, ~ (bitwise NOT)
   is used. To put the window 60px from the right or bottom, use ~60 or -61.

   If index = 0 then the ‘current’ monitor (with the window's centre point)
   is used (falling back on then the first monitor showing part of the
   window then the first monitor).

   If index = -1 then all monitors are treated as one large virtual monitor.


set_window_position2(xpos, ypos)

   Set the position of a window - Compared to set_window_position, this
   function uses XMoveWindow instead of wnck_window_set_geometry which
   gives a slightly different result.
   (Available from version 0.21)


set_window_property(property, value)

   Set a property of a window to a string or a cardinal (32-bit integer or
   boolean).
   (Available from version 0.44)


delete_window_property(property)

   Remove a property from a window.
   (Available from version 0.44)


set_window_size (xsize, ysize)

   Sets the size of a window - takes xsize and ysize as parameters.


set_window_geometry (xpos, ypos, xsize, ysize)

   Sets both size and position of a window in one command. Takes four
   parameters, xpos, ypos, xsize and ysize.


set_window_geometry2 (xpos, ypos, xsize, ysize)

   Sets the window geometry just as set_window_geometry, using
   XMoveResizeWindow instead of its libwnck alternative. This results in
   different coordinates than the set_window_geometry function, and results
   are more similar to the results of the original devilspie geometry function.
   (available from version 0.21)


shade()

   "Shades" a window, showing only the title-bar.


unshade()

   Unshades a window - the opposite of "shade"


maximize()
maximise()

   maximises a window
   (-ise from 0.45)


unmaximize()
unmaximise()

   unmaximises a window
   (-ise from 0.45)


maximize_vertically()
maximise_vertically()

   maximises the current window vertically.
   (-ise from 0.45)


maximize_horizontally()
maximise_horizontally()

   maximises the current window horizontally.
   (-ise from 0.45)


minimize()
minimise()

   minimises a window
   (-ise from 0.45)


unminimize()
unminimise()

   unminimises a window, that is bringing it back to screen from the minimised
   position/size.
   (-ise from 0.45)


decorate_window()

   Shows all window decoration.


undecorate_window()

   Removes all window decorations.


close_window()

	Closes the window. (Available from 0.31)


set_window_workspace(number)

   Moves a window to another workspace. The number variable starts counting at
   1.


change_workspace(number)

   Changes the current workspace to another. The number variable starts counting
   at 1.


pin_window()

   asks the window manager to put the window on all workspaces.


unpin_window()

   Asks the window manager to put window only in the currently active workspace.


stick_window()

   Asks the window manager to keep the window's position fixed on the screen,
   even when the workspace or viewport scrolls.


unstick_window()

   Asks the window manager to not have window's position fixed on the screen
   when the workspace or viewport scrolls.


set_skip_tasklist(skip)

   Set this to true if you would like the window to skip listing in your
   tasklist. Takes a boolean(true or false) as value. (from version 0.16)


set_skip_pager(skip)

   Set this to true if you would like the window to skip listing in your pager.
   Takes a boolean(true or false) as value. (from version 0.16)


set_window_above([above])

   Set the current window above all normal windows. (available from version
   0.21)
   Optionally takes a boolean(true or false) as value.

   make_always_on_top() is the same as set_window_above(true).


set_on_top()

   sets a window on top of the others.
   Unlike set_window_above, it doesn't lock the window in this position.
   As of version 0.45, the window's layer (above, between, below) is
   maintained.


set_window_below([below])

   Set the current window below all normal windows. (available from version
   0.21)
   Optionally takes a boolean(true or false) as value.


set_on_bottom()

   sets a window below the others.
   Unlike set_window_below, it doesn't lock the window in this position.
   (Available from version 0.45.)


set_window_fullscreen(fullscreen)

   Asks the window manager to set the fullscreen state of the window according
   to the fullscreen boolean. (available from version 0.24)


set_viewport(viewport)

   Using one indata, moves the window to the requested viewport - Counting
	starts at number 1. (Available from version 0.25)
	- Also see the alternative usage of this function below.

set_viewport(x, y)

	If you are using two indata to the set_viewport function, you can decide
	where in the viewport the window will be placed.
	(Available from version 0.40)

center([index,] [direction])
centre([index,] [direction])

   With no parameters, centres the current window on the current workspace.
   May place the window across multiple monitors.

   If index is specified, centres the current window on the specified
   monitor (counting from 1) on the current workspace.

   If index = 0 then the ‘current’ monitor (with the window's centre point)
   is used (falling back on then the first monitor showing part of the
   window then the first monitor).

   If index = -1 then all monitors are treated as one large virtual monitor.

   If index is out of range then the first monitor is used.

   If direction begins with 'H' or 'h', the window is horizontally centred only.

   If direction begins with 'V' or 'v', the window is vertically centred only.

   If centring only along one axis, the window may be moved along the other
   axis to ensure that it is on the specified monitor.

   The defaults are index = -1 (all monitors), direction = '' (both axes).

   (Available without parameters from version 0.26)
   (Parameters and ‘centre’ available from version 0.44)


set_opacity(value)
set_window_opacity(value)

	Sets the window opacity, takes a float value, 1.0 = completely opaque,
	0.0, completely see-through. Both set_opacity and set_window_opacity
	will do the same thing.
	(Available from version 0.28, set_window_opacity from 0.29)


set_window_type(type)

	Sets the window type, according to _NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE. The allowed types
	are the standard _NET_WM ones (formatted as a string):

	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_DESKTOP"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_DOCK"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_TOOLBAR"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_MENU"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_UTILITY"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_SPLASH"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_DIALOG"
	"_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_NORMAL"

	or shorter versions of the same values

	"WINDOW_TYPE_DESKTOP"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_DOCK"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_TOOLBAR"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_MENU"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_UTILITY"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_SPLASH"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_DIALOG"
	"WINDOW_TYPE_NORMAL"

	(Function is available from version 0.28)

focus()
focus_window()

	Focuses the current window. (Function is available from version 0.30)


set_window_strut(left, right, top, bottom)

	Set the reserved area at the borders of the desktop for a docking area such
	as a taskbar or a panel (available from version 0.32)


xy(x, y), xy()
    Set the position of a window, or if you don't give any input, get the
    position of a window


xywh(x, y, w, h), xywh()
    Set the position and size of a window, or if you don't give any input, get
    the position and size of a window.


Please note that strings comparisons are case sensitive, comparing
"SomeProgram" with "someprogram" will not report equality.


Simple script example
---------------------


---------------------8<---------------------

-- the debug_print command does only print anything to stdout
-- if devilspie2 is run using the --debug option
debug_print("Window Name: " .. get_window_name());
debug_print("Application name: " .. get_application_name())

-- I want my Xfce4-terminal to the right on the second screen of my two-monitor
-- setup. (String comparison are case sensitive, please note this when
-- creating rule scripts.)
if (get_window_name() == "Terminal") then
   -- x,y, xsize, ysize
   set_window_geometry(1600, 300, 900, 700);
end

-- Make Firefox always start maximised.
if (get_application_name() == "Firefox") then
   maximise();
end

--------------------->8---------------------


Translations
------------

Devilspie2 is translatable using gettext - see README.translators for more
information.


Authors
-------

see the AUTHORS file


Contact
-------

Author: Darren Salt
Homepage: http://www.nongnu.org/devilspie2
Contact, Mailing list: devilspie2-discuss@nongnu.org,
             https://lists.nongnu.org/mailman/listinfo/devilspie2-discuss
See also: https://github.com/dsalt/devilspie

IRC: #devilspie2 on irc.libera.chat