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Input Device Configuration somewm-only

Overview​

SomeWM provides awful.input for runtime input device configuration, a feature not available in AwesomeWM. You can set global defaults that apply to all devices, and use rules to configure specific device types or individual devices differently.

Global Settings​

Global settings apply to all connected devices. Set them directly on awful.input:

local awful = require("awful")

-- Touchpad settings
awful.input.tap_to_click = 1
awful.input.natural_scrolling = 1
awful.input.accel_speed = 0.3

-- Keyboard settings
awful.input.xkb_layout = "us"
awful.input.xkb_options = "ctrl:nocaps"
awful.input.keyboard_repeat_rate = 30
awful.input.keyboard_repeat_delay = 300

A value of -1 means "leave at device default." A value of 0 disables the feature, 1 enables it.

Per-Device Configuration with Rules​

If you use both a touchpad and an external mouse, you probably want different settings for each. Input rules let you do this using the same { rule, properties } pattern as client rules:

awful.input.rules = {
    { rule = { type = "touchpad" },
      properties = {
          natural_scrolling = 1,
          tap_to_click = 1,
          tap_3fg_drag = 1,
      } },
    { rule = { type = "pointer" },
      properties = {
          natural_scrolling = 0,
          accel_profile = "flat",
      } },
}

Two device types are available:

  • touchpad - Touchpads (any device that supports tap gestures)
  • pointer - Everything else: mice, trackballs, trackpoints

Targeting a Specific Device​

Use the name field to match a specific device by name (substring match):

awful.input.rules = {
    { rule = { type = "touchpad" },
      properties = { natural_scrolling = 1 } },
    { rule = { name = "Logitech G502" },
      properties = { accel_speed = -0.5, accel_profile = "flat" } },
}

To find device names on your system:

libinput list-devices | grep "Device:"

How Globals and Rules Interact​

Global awful.input.* settings are the baseline. Rules override them per-property, per-device. Later rules take priority over earlier ones:

-- Global: natural scrolling on for everything
awful.input.natural_scrolling = 1

-- Rule: turn it off for mice
awful.input.rules = {
    { rule = { type = "pointer" },
      properties = { natural_scrolling = 0 } },
}
-- Touchpads get natural scrolling (global default), mice don't (rule override)

All Properties​

See awful.input Reference for the complete property list and rule API.

Cursor Theming​

Setting the Cursor Theme​

Cursor themes can be configured via environment variables before launching SomeWM:

export XCURSOR_THEME="Adwaita"  # Theme name (from /usr/share/icons/)
export XCURSOR_SIZE="24"        # Size in pixels
somewm

You can also set these in your shell profile (~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc) or in a wrapper script.

Runtime Cursor Theme Changes somewm-only​

You can change the cursor theme and size at runtime without restarting:

-- In rc.lua or via somewm-client eval
root.cursor_theme("Adwaita")  -- Change theme
root.cursor_theme()           -- Returns current theme name

root.cursor_size(32)          -- Change size in pixels
root.cursor_size()            -- Returns current size

Via CLI:

somewm-client eval 'root.cursor_theme("Adwaita")'
somewm-client eval 'root.cursor_size(48)'
somewm-client eval 'return root.cursor_theme(), root.cursor_size()'
Fallback Behavior

If a cursor theme cannot be loaded (e.g., theme not installed), wlroots provides built-in fallback cursors. These are basic black-and-white cursors that ensure your mouse always works, even on minimal systems.

Cursor APIs​

SomeWM supports AwesomeWM's cursor APIs:

-- Set the root/desktop cursor
root.cursor("left_ptr")

-- Set cursor for a wibox (changes when mouse hovers over it)
mywibox.cursor = "hand1"

Theme Variables​

Customize cursors for specific operations in your theme:

-- In theme.lua
theme.cursor_mouse_move = "fleur"      -- During window move
theme.cursor_mouse_resize = "cross"    -- During window resize
theme.enable_spawn_cursor = true       -- Show "watch" during app startup

See Theme Variables: Cursors for all options.

Common Cursor Names​

Standard X cursor names include: left_ptr, right_ptr, hand1, hand2, watch, xterm, crosshair, fleur, sb_h_double_arrow, sb_v_double_arrow, top_left_corner, top_right_corner, bottom_left_corner, bottom_right_corner.

AwesomeWM Reference​

For complete API documentation, see the AwesomeWM docs:

Next Steps​