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Carousel: Column Widths somewm-only

You will learn

  • How to change the default width for new columns
  • How to cycle through width presets with a keybinding
  • How to customize the preset list
  • How to adjust width incrementally
  • How to set an exact width or maximize a column

Change the Default Width​

New columns use a width fraction of 1.0 (full viewport) by default. To change this, set the property directly or use a theme variable:

-- Option 1: Set on the layout table (rc.lua)
awful.layout.suit.carousel.default_column_width = 0.5

-- Option 2: Set in your theme (theme.lua)
theme.carousel_default_column_width = 0.5

The theme variable takes priority if both are set.

Cycle Through Presets​

cycle_column_width() cycles the focused column's width through the preset list. If the current width is not in the list, the cycle starts from the first preset.

awful.key({ modkey }, "bracketright", function()
    awful.layout.suit.carousel.cycle_column_width()
end, { description = "cycle column width", group = "carousel" })

The default presets are {1/3, 1/2, 2/3, 1.0}. Each press advances to the next value, wrapping around after the last.

Customize the Preset List​

Replace the width_presets table with your own values:

awful.layout.suit.carousel.width_presets = { 0.5, 0.75, 1.0 }

Values are fractions of the effective viewport width. Use values greater than 1.0 for columns wider than the viewport (you would scroll within a single column).

Adjust Width Incrementally​

adjust_column_width(delta) adds a delta to the focused column's width, clamped to [0.1, 2.0]:

awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "l", function()
    awful.layout.suit.carousel.adjust_column_width(0.05)
end, { description = "widen column", group = "carousel" })

awful.key({ modkey, "Control" }, "h", function()
    awful.layout.suit.carousel.adjust_column_width(-0.05)
end, { description = "narrow column", group = "carousel" })

Set an Exact Width​

set_column_width(fraction) sets the focused column to a specific fraction:

-- Set focused column to exactly one-third
awful.layout.suit.carousel.set_column_width(1/3)

Maximize a Column​

maximize_column() sets the focused column's width to 1.0:

awful.key({ modkey }, "m", function()
    awful.layout.suit.carousel.maximize_column()
end, { description = "maximize column", group = "carousel" })

This is equivalent to set_column_width(1.0).

See Also​