Signals Reference
SomeWM uses signals for event-driven programming. Connect to signals to react to changes.
Client Signals
| Signal | Arguments | Description |
|---|---|---|
manage | c | New client appeared |
unmanage | c | Client closed |
focus | c | Client gained focus |
unfocus | c | Client lost focus |
raised | c | Client moved to top of stack (see Client Stacking) |
lowered | c | Client moved to bottom of stack |
property::name | c | Title changed |
property::class | c | Class changed |
property::geometry | c | Size/position changed |
property::floating | c | Floating state changed |
property::fullscreen | c | Fullscreen state changed |
property::ontop | c | Ontop layer state changed |
property::above | c | Above layer state changed |
property::below | c | Below layer state changed |
property::urgent | c | Urgency changed |
request::titlebars | c | Client requests titlebars |
Screen Signals
| Signal | Arguments | Description |
|---|---|---|
added | s | New screen connected |
removed | s | Screen disconnected |
property::geometry | s | Screen geometry changed |
property::workarea | s | Workarea changed |
property::scale | s | Output scale changed somewm-only |
property::outputs | s | Output metadata changed |
Tag Signals
| Signal | Arguments | Description |
|---|---|---|
property::selected | t | Tag selection changed |
property::activated | t | Tag activated/deactivated |
tagged | t, c | Client added to tag |
untagged | t, c | Client removed from tag |
Layer Surface Signals somewm-only
| Signal | Arguments | Description |
|---|---|---|
request::manage | l, context, hints | Layer surface appeared |
request::unmanage | l, context, hints | Layer surface closing |
request::keyboard | l, context, hints | Layer surface wants keyboard |
property::has_keyboard_focus | l | Keyboard focus changed |
See layer_surface reference for details.
Global Signals
| Signal | Description |
|---|---|
startup | SomeWM finished starting |
exit | SomeWM is shutting down |
refresh | Before redraw |
Example Usage
-- React to new clients
client.connect_signal("manage", function(c)
-- Center new floating windows
if c.floating then
awful.placement.centered(c)
end
end)
-- React to screen changes
screen.connect_signal("added", function(s)
-- Set up new screen
awful.tag({ "1", "2", "3" }, s, awful.layout.layouts[1])
end)