River window management

frame-perfect window management

This protocol allows a single "window manager" client to determine the window management policy of the compositor. State is globally double-buffered allowing for frame perfect state changes involving multiple windows.

The key words "must", "must not", "required", "shall", "shall not", "should", "should not", "recommended", "may", and "optional" in this document are to be interpreted as described in IETF RFC 2119.

window manager global interface

This global interface should only be advertised to the window manager process. Only one window management client may be active at a time. The compositor should use the unavailable event if necessary to enforce this.

There are two disjoint categories of state managed by this protocol:

Window management state influences the communication between the server and individual window clients (e.g. xdg_toplevels). Window management state includes window dimensions, fullscreen state, keyboard focus, keyboard bindings, and more.

Rendering state only affects the rendered output of the compositor and does not influence communication between the server and individual window clients. Rendering state includes the position and rendering order of windows, shell surfaces, decoration surfaces, borders, and more.

Window management state may only be modified by the window manager as part of a manage sequence. A manage sequence is started with the manage_start event and ended with the manage_finish request. It is a protocol error to modify window management state outside of a manage sequence.

A manage sequence is always followed by at least one render sequence. A render sequence is started with the render_start event and ended with the render_finish request.

Rendering state may be modified by the window manager during a manage sequence or a render sequence. Regardless of when the rendering state is modified, it is applied with the next render_finish request. It is a protocol error to modify rendering state outside of a manage or render sequence.

The server will start a manage sequence by sending new state and the manage_start event as soon as possible whenever there is a change in state that must be communicated with the window manager.

If the window manager client needs to ensure a manage sequence is started due to a state change the compositor is not aware of, it may send the manage_dirty request.

The server will start a render sequence by sending new state and the render_start event as soon as possible whenever there is a change in window dimensions that must be communicated with the window manager. Multiple render sequences may be made consecutively without a manage sequence in between, for example if a window independently changes its own dimensions.

To summarize, the main loop of this protocol is as follows:

1. The server sends events indicating all changes since the last manage sequence followed by the manage_start event.

2. The client sends requests modifying window management state or rendering state (as defined above) followed by the manage_finish request.

3. The server sends new state to windows and waits for responses.

4. The server sends new window dimensions to the client followed by the render_start event.

5. The client sends requests modifying rendering state (as defined above) followed by the render_finish request.

6. If window dimensions change, loop back to step 4. If state that requires a manage sequence changes or if the client makes a manage_dirty request, loop back to step 1.

For the purposes of frame perfection, the server may delay rendering new state committed by the windows in step 3 until after step 5 is finished.

It is a protocol error for the client to make a manage_finish or render_finish request that violates this ordering.

stop()
stop sending events

This request indicates that the client no longer wishes to receive events on this object.

The Wayland protocol is asynchronous, which means the server may send further events until the stop request is processed. The client must wait for a river_window_manager_v1.finished event before destroying this object.

destroy()
destroy the river_window_manager_v1 object

This request should be called after the finished event has been received to complete destruction of the object.

If a client wishes to destroy this object it should send a river_window_manager_v1.stop request and wait for a river_window_manager_v1.finished event. Once the finished event is received it is safe to destroy this object and any other objects created through this interface.

manage_finish()
finish a manage sequence

This request indicates that the client has made all changes to window management state it wishes to include in the current manage sequence and that the server should atomically send these state changes to the windows and continue with the manage sequence.

After sending this request, it is a protocol error for the client to make further changes to window management state until the next manage_start event is received.

See the description of the river_window_manager_v1 interface for a complete overview of the manage/render sequence loop.

manage_dirty()
ensure a manage sequence is started

This request ensures a manage sequence is started and that a manage_start event is sent by the server. If this request is made during an ongoing manage sequence, a new manage sequence will be started as soon as the current one is completed.

The client may want to use this request due to an internal state change that the compositor is not aware of (e.g. a dbus event) which should affect window management or rendering state.

render_finish()
finish a render sequence

This request indicates that the client has made all changes to rendering state it wishes to include in the current manage sequence and that the server should atomically apply and display these state changes to the user.

After sending this request, it is a protocol error for the client to make further changes to rendering state until the next manage_start or render_start event is received, whichever comes first.

See the description of the river_window_manager_v1 interface for a complete overview of the manage/render sequence loop.

get_shell_surface(id: new_id<river_shell_surface_v1>, surface: object<wl_surface>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_shell_surface_v1>
surfaceobject<wl_surface>
assign the river_shell_surface_v1 surface role

Create a new shell surface for window manager UI and assign the river_shell_surface_v1 role to the surface.

Providing a wl_surface which already has a role or already has a buffer attached or committed is a protocol error.

unavailable()
window management unavailable

This event indicates that window management is not available to the client, perhaps due to another window management client already running. The circumstances causing this event to be sent are compositor policy.

If sent, this event is guaranteed to be the first and only event sent by the server.

The server will send no further events on this object. The client should destroy this object and all objects created through this interface.

finished()
the server has finished with the window manager

This event indicates that the server will send no further events on this object. The client should destroy the object. See river_window_manager_v1.destroy for more information.

manage_start()
start a manage sequence

This event indicates that the server has sent events indicating all state changes since the last manage sequence.

In response to this event, the client should make requests modifying window management state as it chooses. Then, the client must make the manage_finish request.

See the description of the river_window_manager_v1 interface for a complete overview of the manage/render sequence loop.

render_start()
start a render sequence

This event indicates that the server has sent all river_node_v1.position and river_window_v1.dimensions events necessary.

In response to this event, the client should make requests modifying rendering state as it chooses. Then, the client must make the render_finish request.

See the description of the river_window_manager_v1 interface for a complete overview of the manage/render sequence loop.

session_locked()
the session has been locked

This event indicates that the session has been locked.

The window manager may wish to restrict which key bindings are available while locked or otherwise use this information.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

session_unlocked()
the session has been unlocked

This event indicates that the session has been unlocked.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

window(id: new_id<river_window_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_window_v1>
new window

A new window has been created.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

output(id: new_id<river_output_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_output_v1>
new output

A new logical output has been created, perhaps due to a new physical monitor being plugged in or perhaps due to a change in configuration.

This event will be followed by river_output_v1.position and dimensions events as well as a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

seat(id: new_id<river_seat_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_seat_v1>
new seat

A new seat has been created.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

Argument
Value
Description
sequence_order0
request violates manage/render sequence ordering
role1
given wl_surface already has a role
unresponsive2
window manager unresponsive

a logical window

This represents a logical window. For example, a window may correspond to an xdg_toplevel or Xwayland window.

A newly created window will not be displayed until the window manager proposes window dimensions with the propose_dimensions request as part of a manage sequence, the server replies with a dimensions event as part of a render sequence, and that render sequence is finished.

destroy
Type: destructor
destroy()
destroy the window object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the window object and that it may be safely destroyed.

This request should be made after the river_window_v1.closed event or river_window_manager_v1.finished is received to complete destruction of the window.

close()
request that the window be closed

Request that the window be closed. The window may ignore this request or only close after some delay, perhaps opening a dialog asking the user to save their work or similar.

The server will send a river_window_v1.closed event if/when the window has been closed.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

get_node(id: new_id<river_node_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_node_v1>
get the window's render list node

Get the node in the render list corresponding to the window.

It is a protocol error to make this request more than once for a single window.

propose_dimensions(width: int, height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
widthint
heightint
propose window dimensions

This request proposes dimensions for the window in the compositor's logical coordinate space.

The width and height must be greater than or equal to zero. If the width or height is zero the window will be allowed to decide its own dimensions.

The window may not take the exact dimensions proposed. The actual dimensions taken by the window will be sent in a subsequent river_window_v1.dimensions event. For example, a terminal emulator may only allow dimensions that are multiple of the cell size.

When a propose_dimensions request is made, the server must send a dimensions event in response as soon as possible. It may not be possible to send a dimensions event in the very next render sequence if, for example, the window takes too long to respond to the first proposed dimensions. In this case, the server will send the dimensions event in a future render sequence. The window will not be displayed until the first dimensions event is received and the render sequence is finished.

Note that the dimensions of a river_window_v1 refer to the dimensions of the window content and are unaffected by the presence of borders or decoration surfaces.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

hide()
request that the window be hidden

Request that the window be hidden. Has no effect if the window is already hidden. Hides any window borders and decorations as well.

Newly created windows are considered shown unless explicitly hidden with the hide request.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

show()
request that the window be shown

Request that the window be shown. Has no effect if the window is not hidden. Does not guarantee that the window is visible as it may be completely obscured by other windows placed above it for example.

Newly created windows are considered shown unless explicitly hidden with the hide request.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

use_csd()
tell the client to use CSD

Tell the client to use client side decoration and draw its own title bar, borders, etc.

This is the default if neither this request nor the use_ssd request is ever made.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

use_ssd()
tell the client to use SSD

Tell the client to use server side decoration and not draw any client side decorations.

This request will have no effect if the client only supports client side decoration, see the decoration_hint event.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

set_borders(edges: uint<river_window_v1.edges>, width: int, r: uint, g: uint, b: uint, a: uint)
Argument
Type
Description
edgesuint<river_window_v1.edges>
widthint
ruint
guint
buint
auint
set window borders

This request decorates the window with borders drawn by the compositor on the specified edges of the window. Borders are drawn above the window content.

Corners are drawn only between borders on adjacent edges. If e.g. the left edge has a border and the top edge does not, the border drawn on the left edge will not extend vertically beyond the top edge of the window.

Borders are not drawn while the window is fullscreen.

The color is defined by four 32-bit RGBA values. Unless specified in another protocol extension, the RGBA values use pre-multiplied alpha.

Setting the edges to none or the width to 0 disables the borders. Setting a negative width is a protocol error.

This request completely overrides all previous set_borders requests. Only the most recent set_borders request has an effect.

Note that the position/dimensions of a river_window_v1 refer to the position/dimensions of the window content and are unaffected by the presence of borders or decoration surfaces.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

set_tiled(edges: uint<river_window_v1.edges>)
Argument
Type
Description
edgesuint<river_window_v1.edges>
set window tiled state

Inform the window that it is part of a tiled layout and adjacent to other elements in the tiled layout on the given edges.

The window should use this information to change the style of its client side decorations and avoid drawing e.g. drop shadows outside of the window dimensions on the tiled edges.

Setting the edges argument to none informs the window that it is not part of a tiled layout. If this request is never made, the window is informed that it is not part of a tiled layout.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

get_decoration_above(id: new_id<river_decoration_v1>, surface: object<wl_surface>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_decoration_v1>
surfaceobject<wl_surface>
create a decoration surface above the window

Create a decoration surface and assign the river_decoration_v1 role to the surface. The created decoration is placed above the window in rendering order, see the description of river_decoration_v1.

Providing a wl_surface which already has a role or already has a buffer attached or committed is a protocol error.

get_decoration_below(id: new_id<river_decoration_v1>, surface: object<wl_surface>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_decoration_v1>
surfaceobject<wl_surface>
create a decoration surface below the window

Create a decoration surface and assign the river_decoration_v1 role to the surface. The created decoration is placed below the window in rendering order, see the description of river_decoration_v1.

Providing a wl_surface which already has a role or already has a buffer attached or committed is a protocol error.

inform_resize_start()
inform the window it is being resized

Inform the window that it is being resized. The window manager should use this request to inform windows that are the target of an interactive resize for example.

The window manager remains responsible for handling the position and dimensions of the window while it is resizing.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

inform_resize_end()
inform the window it no longer being resized

Inform the window that it is no longer being resized. The window manager should use this request to inform windows that are the target of an interactive resize that the interactive resize has ended for example.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

set_capabilities(caps: uint<river_window_v1.capabilities>)
Argument
Type
Description
capsuint<river_window_v1.capabilities>
inform window of supported capabilities

This request informs the window of the capabilities supported by the window manager. If the window manager, for example, ignores requests to be maximized from the window it should not tell the window that it supports the maximize capability.

The window might use this information to, for example, only show a maximize button if the window manager supports the maximize capability.

The window manager client should use this request to set capabilities for all new windows. If this request is never made, the compositor will inform windows that all capabilities are supported.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

inform_maximized()
inform the window that it is maximized

Inform the window that it is maximized. The window might use this information to adapt the style of its client-side window decorations for example.

The window manager remains responsible for handling the position and dimensions of the window while it is maximized.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

inform_unmaximized()
inform the window that it is unmaximized

Inform the window that it is unmaximized. The window might use this information to adapt the style of its client-side window decorations for example.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

inform_fullscreen()
inform the window that it is fullscreen

Inform the window that it is fullscreen. The window might use this information to adapt the style of its client-side window decorations for example.

This request does not affect the size/position of the window or cause it to become the only window rendered, see the river_window_v1.fullscreen and exit_fullscreen requests for that.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

inform_not_fullscreen()
inform the window that it is not fullscreen

Inform the window that it is not fullscreen. The window might use this information to adapt the style of its client-side window decorations for example.

This request does not affect the size/position of the window or cause it to become the only window rendered, see the river_window_v1.fullscreen and exit_fullscreen requests for that.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

fullscreen(output: object<river_output_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
outputobject<river_output_v1>
make the window fullscreen

Make the window fullscreen on the given output. If multiple windows are fullscreen on the same output at the same time only the "top" window in rendering order shall be displayed.

All river_shell_surface_v1 objects above the top fullscreen window in the rendering order will continue to be rendered.

The compositor will handle the position and dimensions of the window while it is fullscreen. The set_position and propose_dimensions requests shall not affect the current position and dimensions of a fullscreen window.

The compositor will clip window content, decoration surfaces, and borders to the given output's dimensions while the window is fullscreen. The effects of set_clip_box and set_content_clip_box are ignored while the window is fullscreen.

If the output on which a window is currently fullscreen is removed, the windowing state is modified as if there were an exit_fullscreen request made in the same manage sequence as the river_output_v1.removed event.

This request does not inform the window that it is fullscreen, see the river_window_v1.inform_fullscreen and inform_not_fullscreen requests.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

exit_fullscreen()
make the window not fullscreen

Make the window not fullscreen.

The position and dimensions are undefined after this request is made until a manage sequence in which the window manager makes the propose_dimensions and set_position requests is completed.

The window manager should make propose_dimensions and set_position requests in the same manage sequence as the exit_fullscreen request for frame perfection.

This request does not inform the window that it is fullscreen, see the river_window_v1.inform_fullscreen and inform_not_fullscreen requests.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

set_clip_box(x: int, y: int, width: int, height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
widthint
heightint
clip the window to a given box

Clip the window, including borders and decoration surfaces, to the box specified by the x, y, width, and height arguments. The x/y position of the box is relative to the top left corner of the window.

The width and height arguments must be greater than or equal to 0.

Setting a clip box with 0 width or height disables clipping.

The clip box is ignored while the window is fullscreen.

Both set_clip_box and set_content_clip_box may be enabled simultaneously.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

set_content_clip_box(x: int, y: int, width: int, height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
widthint
heightint
clip the window content to a given box

Clip the content of the window, excluding borders and decoration surfaces, to the box specified by the x, y, width, and height arguments. The x/y position of the box is relative to the top left corner of the window.

Borders drawn by the compositor (see set_borders) are placed around the intersection of the window content (as defined by the dimensions event) and the content clip box when content clipping is enabled.

The width and height arguments must be greater than or equal to 0.

Setting a box with 0 width or height disables content clipping.

The content clip box is ignored while the window is fullscreen.

Both set_clip_box and set_content_clip_box may be enabled simultaneously.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

closed()
the window has been closed

The window has been closed by the server, perhaps due to an xdg_toplevel.close request or similar.

The server will send no further events on this object and ignore any request other than river_window_v1.destroy made after this event is sent. The client should destroy this object with the river_window_v1.destroy request to free up resources.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

dimensions_hint(min_width: int, min_height: int, max_width: int, max_height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
min_widthint
min_heightint
max_widthint
max_heightint
the window's preferred min/max dimensions

This event informs the window manager of the window's preferred min/max dimensions. These preferences are a hint, and the window manager is free to propose dimensions outside of these bounds.

All min/max width/height values must be strictly greater than or equal to 0. A value of 0 indicates that the window has no preference for that value.

The min_width/min_height must be strictly less than or equal to the max_width/max_height.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

dimensions(width: int, height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
widthint
heightint
window dimensions

This event indicates the dimensions of the window in the compositor's logical coordinate space. The width and height must be strictly greater than zero.

Note that the dimensions of a river_window_v1 refer to the dimensions of the window content and are unaffected by the presence of borders or decoration surfaces.

This event is sent as part of a render sequence before the render_start event.

It may be sent due to a propose_dimensions request in a previous manage sequence or because a window independently decides to change its dimensions.

app_id(app_id: string)
Argument
Type
Description
app_idstringallow null
the window set an application ID

The window set an application ID.

The app_id argument will be null if the window has never set an application ID or if the window cleared its application ID. (Xwayland windows may do this for example, though xdg-toplevels may not.)

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

title(title: string)
Argument
Type
Description
titlestringallow null
the window set a title

The window set a title.

The title argument will be null if the window has never set a title or if the window cleared its title. (Xwayland windows may do this for example, though xdg-toplevels may not.)

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

parent(parent: object<river_window_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
parentobject<river_window_v1>allow null
the window set a parent

The window set a parent window. If this event is never received or if the parent argument is null then the window has no parent.

A surface with a parent set might be a dialog, file picker, or similar for the parent window.

Child windows should generally be rendered directly above their parent.

The compositor must guarantee that there are no loops in the window tree: a parent must not be the descendant of one of its children.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

decoration_hint(hint: uint<river_window_v1.decoration_hint>)
Argument
Type
Description
hintuint<river_window_v1.decoration_hint>
supported/preferred decoration style

Information from the window about the supported and preferred client side/server side decoration options.

This event may be sent multiple times over the lifetime of the window if the window changes its preferences.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

pointer_move_requested(seat: object<river_seat_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
seatobject<river_seat_v1>
window requested interactive pointer move

This event informs the window manager that the window has requested to be interactively moved using the pointer. The seat argument indicates the seat for the move.

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request that an interactive move be started, perhaps when a client-side rendered titlebar is dragged.

The window manager may use the river_seat_v1.op_start_pointer request to interactively move the window or ignore this event entirely.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

pointer_resize_requested(seat: object<river_seat_v1>, edges: uint<river_window_v1.edges>)
Argument
Type
Description
seatobject<river_seat_v1>
edgesuint<river_window_v1.edges>
window requested interactive pointer resize

This event informs the window manager that the window has requested to be interactively resized using the pointer. The seat argument indicates the seat for the resize.

The edges argument indicates which edges the window has requested to be resized from. The edges argument will never be none and will never have both top and bottom or both left and right edges set.

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request that an interactive resize be started, perhaps when the corner of client-side rendered decorations is dragged.

The window manager may use the river_seat_v1.op_start_pointer request to interactively resize the window or ignore this event entirely.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

show_window_menu_requested(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
x offset from top left corner
yint
y offset from top left corner
window requested that the window menu be shown

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request that a window menu be shown, for example when the user right clicks on client side window decorations.

A window menu might include options to maximize or minimize the window.

The window manager is free to ignore this request and decide what the window menu contains if it does choose to show one.

The x and y arguments indicate where the window requested that the window menu be shown.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

maximize_requested()
the window requested to be maximized

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request to be maximized.

The window manager is free to honor this request using river_window_v1.inform_maximize or ignore it.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

unmaximize_requested()
the window requested to be unmaximized

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request to be unmaximized.

The window manager is free to honor this request using river_window_v1.inform_unmaximized or ignore it.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

fullscreen_requested(output: object<river_output_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
outputobject<river_output_v1>allow null
the window requested to be fullscreen

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request that they be made fullscreen and allows them to provide an output preference.

The window manager is free to honor this request using river_window_v1.fullscreen or ignore it.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

exit_fullscreen_requested()
the window requested to exit fullscreen

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request to exit fullscreen.

The window manager is free to honor this request using river_window_v1.exit_fullscreen or ignore it.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

minimize_requested()
the window requested to be minimized

The xdg-shell protocol for example allows windows to request to be minimized.

The window manager is free to ignore this request, hide the window, or do whatever else it chooses.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

unreliable_pid(unreliable_pid: int)
Argument
Type
Description
unreliable_pidint
unreliable PID of the window's creator

This event gives an unreliable PID of the process that created the window. Obtaining this information is inherently racy due to PID reuse. Therefore, this PID must not be used for anything security sensitive.

Note also that a single process may create multiple windows, so there is not necessarily a 1-to-1 mapping from PID to window. Multiple windows may have the same PID.

This event is sent once when the river_window_v1 is created and never sent again.

Argument
Value
Description
node_exists0
window already has a node object
invalid_dimensions1
proposed dimensions out of bounds
invalid_border2
invalid arg to set_borders
invalid_clip_box3
invalid arg to set_clip_box
Argument
Value
Description
only_supports_csd0
only supports client side decoration
prefers_csd1
client side decoration preferred, both CSD and SSD supported
prefers_ssd2
server side decoration preferred, both CSD and SSD supported
no_preference3
no preference, both CSD and SSD supported
edges { none, top, bottom, left, right } 
Argument
Value
Description
none0
top1
bottom2
left4
right8

a window decoration

The rendering order of windows with decorations is follows:

1. Decorations created with get_decoration_below at the bottom 2. Window content 3. Borders configured with river_window_v1.set_borders 4. Decorations created with get_decoration_above at the top

The relative ordering of decoration surfaces above/below a window is undefined by this protocol and left up to the compositor.

destroy()
destroy the decoration object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the decoration object and that it may be safely destroyed.

set_offset(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
set offset from the window's top left corner

This request sets the offset of the decoration surface from the top left corner of the window.

If this request is never sent, the x and y offsets are undefined by this protocol and left up to the compositor.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

sync_next_commit()
sync next commit with other rendering state

Synchronize application of the next wl_surface.commit request on the decoration surface with rest of the state atomically applied with the next river_window_manager_v1.render_finish request.

The client must make a wl_surface.commit request on the decoration surface after this request and before the render_finish request, failure to do so is a protocol error.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

error { no_commit } 
Argument
Value
Description
no_commit0
failed to commit the surface before the window manager commit

a surface for window manager UI

The window manager might use a shell surface to display a status bar, background image, desktop notifications, launcher, desktop menu, or whatever else it wants.

destroy()
destroy the shell surface object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the shell surface object and that it may be safely destroyed.

get_node(id: new_id<river_node_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_node_v1>
get the shell surface's render list node

Get the node in the render list corresponding to the shell surface.

It is a protocol error to make this request more than once for a single shell surface.

sync_next_commit()
sync next surface commit to window manager commit

Synchronize application of the next wl_surface.commit request on the shell surface with rest of the rendering state atomically applied with the next river_window_manager_v1.render_finish request.

The client must make a wl_surface.commit request on the shell surface after this request and before the render_finish request, failure to do so is a protocol error.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

Argument
Value
Description
node_exists0
shell surface already has a node object
no_commit1
failed to commit the surface before the window manager commit

river_node_v1

version 3
a node in the render list

The render list is a list of nodes that determines the rendering order of the compositor. Nodes may correspond to windows or shell surfaces. The relative ordering of nodes may be changed with the place_above and place_below requests, changing the rendering order.

The initial position of a node in the render list is undefined, the window manager client must use the place_above or place_below request to guarantee a specific rendering order.

destroy
Type: destructor
destroy()
destroy the decoration object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the node object and that it may be safely destroyed.

set_position(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
set absolute position of the node

Set the absolute position of the node in the compositor's logical coordinate space. The x and y coordinates may be positive or negative.

Note that the position of a river_window_v1 refers to the position of the window content and is unaffected by the presence of borders or decoration surfaces.

If this request is never sent, the position of the node is undefined by this protocol and left up to the compositor.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

place_top()
place node above all other nodes

This request places the node above all other nodes in the compositor's render list.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

place_bottom()
place node below all other nodes

This request places the node below all other nodes in the compositor's render list.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

place_above(other: object<river_node_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
otherobject<river_node_v1>
place node above another node

This request places the node directly above another node in the compositor's render list.

Attempting to place a node above itself has no effect.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

place_below(other: object<river_node_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
otherobject<river_node_v1>
place node below another node

This request places the node directly below another node in the compositor's render list.

Attempting to place a node below itself has no effect.

This request modifies rendering state and may only be made as part of a render sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.


a logical output

An area in the compositor's logical coordinate space that should be treated as a single output for window management purposes. This area may correspond to a single physical output or multiple physical outputs in the case of mirroring or tiled monitors depending on the hardware and compositor configuration.

destroy
Type: destructor
destroy()
destroy the output object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the output object and that it may be safely destroyed.

This request should be made after the river_output_v1.removed event is received to complete destruction of the output.

removed()
the output is removed

This event indicates that the logical output is no longer conceptually part of window management space.

The server will send no further events on this object and ignore any request (other than river_output_v1.destroy) made after this event is sent. The client should destroy this object with the river_output_v1.destroy request to free up resources.

This event may be sent because a corresponding physical output has been physically unplugged or because some output configuration has changed.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

wl_output(name: uint)
Argument
Type
Description
nameuint
name of the wl_output global
corresponding wl_output

The wl_output object corresponding to the river_output_v1. The argument is the global name of the wl_output advertised with wl_registry.global.

It is guaranteed that the corresponding wl_output is advertised before this event is sent.

This event is sent exactly once. The wl_output associated with a river_output_v1 cannot change. It is guaranteed that there is a 1-to-1 mapping between wl_output and river_output_v1 objects.

The global_remove event for the corresponding wl_output may be sent before the river_output_v1.remove event. This is due to the fact that river_output_v1 state changes are synced to the river window management manage sequence while changes to globals are not.

Rationale: The window manager may need information provided by the wl_output interface such as the name/description. It also may need the wl_output object to start screencopy for example.

position(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
output position

This event indicates the position of the output in the compositor's logical coordinate space. The x and y coordinates may be positive or negative.

This event is sent once when the river_output_v1 is created and again whenever the position changes.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

The server must guarantee that the position and dimensions events do not cause the areas of multiple logical outputs to overlap when the corresponding manage_start event is received.

dimensions(width: int, height: int)
Argument
Type
Description
widthint
heightint
output dimensions

This event indicates the dimensions of the output in the compositor's logical coordinate space. The width and height will always be strictly greater than zero.

This event is sent once when the river_output_v1 is created and again whenever the dimensions change.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

The server must guarantee that the position and dimensions events do not cause the areas of multiple logical outputs to overlap when the corresponding manage_start event is received.


river_seat_v1

version 3
a window management seat

This object represents a single user's collection of input devices. It allows the window manager to route keyboard input to windows, get high-level information about pointer input, define keyboard and pointer bindings, etc.

TODO:

destroy
Type: destructor
destroy()
destroy the seat object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the seat object and that it may be safely destroyed.

This request should be made after the river_seat_v1.removed event is received to complete destruction of the seat.

focus_window(window: object<river_window_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
windowobject<river_window_v1>
give keyboard focus to a window

Request that the compositor send keyboard input to the given window.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

focus_shell_surface(shell_surface: object<river_shell_surface_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
shell_surfaceobject<river_shell_surface_v1>
give keyboard focus to a shell_surface

Request that the compositor send keyboard input to the given shell surface.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

clear_focus()
clear keyboard focus

Request that the compositor not send keyboard input to any client.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

op_start_pointer()
start an interactive pointer operation

Start an interactive pointer operation. During the operation, op_delta events will be sent based on pointer input.

When all pointer buttons are released, the op_release event is sent.

The pointer operation continues until the op_end request is made during a manage sequence and that manage sequence is finished.

The window manager may use this operation to implement interactive move/resize of windows by setting the position of windows and proposing dimensions based off of the op_delta events.

This request is ignored if an operation is already in progress.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

op_end()
end an interactive operation

End an interactive operation.

This request is ignored if there is no operation in progress.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

get_pointer_binding(id: new_id<river_pointer_binding_v1>, button: uint, modifiers: uint<river_seat_v1.modifiers>)
Argument
Type
Description
idnew_id<river_pointer_binding_v1>
buttonuint
a Linux input event code
modifiersuint<river_seat_v1.modifiers>
define a new pointer binding

Define a pointer binding in terms of a pointer button, modifiers, and other configurable properties.

The button argument is a Linux input event code defined in the linux/input-event-codes.h header file (e.g. BTN_RIGHT).

The new pointer binding is not enabled until initial configuration is completed and the enable request is made during a manage sequence.

set_xcursor_theme(name: string, size: uint)
Argument
Type
Description
namestring
sizeuint
set the xcursor theme for the seat

Set the XCursor theme for the seat. This theme is used for cursors rendered by the compositor, but not necessarily for cursors rendered by clients.

Note: The window manager may also wish to set the XCURSOR_THEME and XCURSOR_SIZE environment variable for programs it starts.

pointer_warp(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
warp the pointer to a given position

Warp the pointer to the given position in the compositor's logical coordinate space.

If the given position is outside the bounds of all outputs, the pointer will be warped to the closest point inside an output instead.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

removed()
the seat is removed

This event indicates that seat is no longer in use and should be destroyed.

The server will send no further events on this object and ignore any request (other than river_seat_v1.destroy) made after this event is sent. The client should destroy this object with the river_seat_v1.destroy request to free up resources.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

wl_seat(name: uint)
Argument
Type
Description
nameuint
name of the wl_seat global
corresponding wl_seat

The wl_seat object corresponding to the river_seat_v1. The argument is the global name of the wl_seat advertised with wl_registry.global.

It is guaranteed that the corresponding wl_seat is advertised before this event is sent.

This event is sent exactly once. The wl_seat associated with a river_seat_v1 cannot change. It is guaranteed that there is a 1-to-1 mapping between wl_seat and river_seat_v1 objects.

The global_remove event for the corresponding wl_seat may be sent before the river_seat_v1.remove event. This is due to the fact that river_seat_v1 state changes are synced to the river window management manage sequence while changes to globals are not.

Rationale: The window manager may want to trigger window management state changes based on normal input events received by its shell surfaces for example.

pointer_enter(window: object<river_window_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
windowobject<river_window_v1>
pointer entered a window

The seat's pointer entered the given window's area.

The area of a window is defined to include the area defined by the window dimensions, borders configured using river_window_v1.set_borders, and the input regions of decoration surfaces. In particular, it does not include input regions of surfaces belonging to the window that extend outside the window dimensions.

The pointer of a seat may only enter a single window at a time. When the pointer moves between windows, the pointer_leave event for the old window must be sent before the pointer_enter event for the new window.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

pointer_leave()
pointer left the entered window

The seat's pointer left the window for which pointer_enter was most recently sent. See pointer_enter for details.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

window_interaction(window: object<river_window_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
windowobject<river_window_v1>
a window has been interacted with

A window has been interacted with beyond the pointer merely passing over it. This event might be sent due to a pointer button press or due to a touch/tablet tool interaction with the window.

There are no guarantees regarding how this event is sent in relation to the pointer_enter and pointer_leave events as the interaction may use touch or tablet tool input.

Rationale: this event gives window managers necessary information to determine when to send keyboard focus, raise a window that already has keyboard focus, etc. Rather than expose all pointer, touch, and tablet events to window managers, a policy over mechanism approach is taken.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

shell_surface_interaction(shell_surface: object<river_shell_surface_v1>)
Argument
Type
Description
shell_surfaceobject<river_shell_surface_v1>
a shell surface has been interacted with

A shell surface has been interacted with beyond the pointer merely passing over it. This event might be sent due to a pointer button press or due to a touch/tablet tool interaction with the shell_surface.

There are no guarantees regarding how this event is sent in relation to the pointer_enter and pointer_leave events as the interaction may use touch or tablet tool input.

Rationale: While the shell surface does receive all wl_pointer, wl_touch, etc. input events for the surface directly, these events do not necessarily trigger a manage sequence and therefore do not allow the window manager to update focus or perform other actions in response to the input in a race-free way.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

op_delta(dx: int, dy: int)
Argument
Type
Description
dxint
total change in x
dyint
total change in y
total cumulative motion since op start

This event indicates the total change in position since the start of the operation of the pointer/touch point/etc.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

op_release()
operation input has been released

The input driving the current interactive operation has been released. For a pointer op for example, all pointer buttons have been released.

Depending on the op type, op_delta events may continue to be sent until the op is ended with the op_end request.

This event is sent at most once during an interactive operation.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

pointer_position(x: int, y: int)
Argument
Type
Description
xint
yint
The current position of the pointer

The current position of the pointer in the compositor's logical coordinate space.

This state is special in that a change in pointer position alone must not cause the compositor to start a manage sequence.

Assuming the seat has a pointer, this event must be sent in every manage sequence unless there is no change in x/y position since the last time this event was sent.

modifiers { none, shift, ctrl, mod1, mod3, mod4, mod5 } 
Argument
Value
Description
none0
shift1
ctrl4
mod18
commonly called alt
mod332
mod464
commonly called super or logo
mod5128
a set of keyboard modifiers

This enum is used to describe the keyboard modifiers that must be held down to trigger a key binding or pointer binding.

Note that river and wlroots use the values 2 and 16 for capslock and numlock internally. It doesn't make sense to use locked modifiers for bindings however so these values are not included in this enum.


configure a pointer binding, receive trigger events

This object allows the window manager to configure a pointer binding and receive events when the binding is triggered.

The new pointer binding is not enabled until the enable request is made during a manage sequence.

Normally, all pointer button events are sent to the surface with pointer focus by the compositor. Pointer button events that trigger a pointer binding are not sent to the surface with pointer focus.

If multiple pointer bindings would be triggered by a single physical pointer event on the compositor side, it is compositor policy which pointer binding(s) will receive press/release events or if all of the matched pointer bindings receive press/release events.

destroy()
destroy the pointer binding object

This request indicates that the client will no longer use the pointer binding object and that it may be safely destroyed.

enable()
enable the pointer binding

This request should be made after all initial configuration has been completed and the window manager wishes the pointer binding to be able to be triggered.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

disable()
disable the pointer binding

This request may be used to temporarily disable the pointer binding. It may be later re-enabled with the enable request.

This request modifies window management state and may only be made as part of a manage sequence, see the river_window_manager_v1 description.

pressed()
the bound pointer button has been pressed

This event indicates that the pointer button triggering the binding has been pressed.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

The compositor should wait for the manage sequence to complete before processing further input events. This allows the window manager client to, for example, modify key bindings and keyboard focus without racing against future input events. The window manager should of course respond as soon as possible as the capacity of the compositor to buffer incoming input events is finite.

released()
the bound pointer button has been released

This event indicates that the pointer button triggering the binding has been released.

Releasing the modifiers for the binding without releasing the pointer button does not trigger the release event. This event is sent when the pointer button is released, even if the modifiers have changed since the pressed event.

This event will be followed by a manage_start event after all other new state has been sent by the server.

The compositor should wait for the manage sequence to complete before processing further input events. This allows the window manager client to, for example, modify key bindings and keyboard focus without racing against future input events. The window manager should of course respond as soon as possible as the capacity of the compositor to buffer incoming input events is finite.


Compositor Support

No compositor support found

SPDX-FileCopyrightText: © 2024 Isaac Freund SPDX-License-Identifier: MIT

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