Layout

Choose one layout mode for each workspace. Configure the default globally, then use workspace rules for exceptions.

Choose a layout

[layout]
mode = "scrolling"

Mode	Arrangement	Best suited to
scrolling	Fixed-size columns in a scrollable strip	Keeping many windows readable without shrinking all of them
dwindle	Each new window splits an existing tile	Flexible recursive tiling
master	Primary windows beside a stack	Keeping one or more main windows prominent

Change the current workspace at runtime with workspace-set-layout:<mode>. See Actions and Workspace Rules.

Shared settings

[layout]
gap = 8
extent_presets = [0.333, 0.5, 0.667]

Key	Default	Description
gap	8	Gap between windows in logical pixels.
extent_presets	[0.333, 0.5, 0.667]	Fractions used by primary and secondary extent cycle actions.

Struts

[layout.struts]
left = 0
right = 0
top = 0
bottom = 0

Positive struts reserve extra space inside layer-shell exclusive zones. Negative values let tiled windows extend beneath panels or beyond an output edge. Floating windows and popups ignore struts.

All layouts support Mod+Right-drag resizing. Drag from an edge to resize one axis or from a corner to resize both.

Scrolling layout

Scrolling keeps columns at their configured extents and moves the strip through the output. A column can contain several stacked windows.

The strip is perpendicular to the output’s workspace axis. Vertical workspaces use a horizontal strip; horizontal workspaces use a vertical strip.

Settings

[layout.scrolling]
default_extent_fraction = 0.5
center_underfull_strip = true
center_focused = "never"

Key	Default	Description
default_extent_fraction	unset	Initial column extent from 0.1 to 1.0. The packaged config uses 0.5.
center_underfull_strip	true	Center a strip narrower than the viewport.
center_focused	"never"	Use "never", "always", or "on_overflow" to control focus centering.

Horizontal and vertical scrolling

Workspace axis	Scrolling arrangement
vertical	Columns run left to right; windows stack top to bottom.
horizontal	Lanes run top to bottom; windows sit left to right.

Primary extent actions resize a column along the strip. Secondary extent actions resize a window within its column.

A three-finger swipe along the workspace axis switches workspaces. A swipe across it scrolls the strip. Touchpad direction follows input.touchpad.natural_scroll.

Scrolling behavior

When default_extent_fraction is unset, applications choose their initial extent. A default_scrolling_extent window rule overrides the fraction, and default_scrolling_extent_px takes highest precedence.

Set an output-specific default with:

[output.DP-1.layout.scrolling]
default_extent_fraction = 0.4

A workspace rule can override both global and output defaults. Reloading these settings affects new columns only.

When focus moves to a hidden column, Umbriel scrolls just far enough to reveal it. Dragged windows show an insertion preview and can be dropped into a new or existing column.

Vertical strips

With horizontal workspaces, screen directions remain literal:

• Left and right actions move within a lane.
• Up and down actions move between lanes.
• Strip scroll actions toward up or left move toward strip start.

Configurations using vertical strips usually bind wheel navigation to window-focus-up and window-focus-down instead of the default left and right actions.

Dwindle layout

Dwindle recursively splits tiles into independently sized regions.

Settings

[layout.dwindle]
preserve_split = false
new_exits_fullscreen = false

Key	Default	Description
preserve_split	false	Keep each split direction fixed after creation.
new_exits_fullscreen	false	Exit fullscreen when a new window opens.

Behavior

A new window splits the focused tile along its longer edge. Without preserve_split, split directions may adapt as geometry changes. Enable it for stable, manually shaped regions.

Dwindle has no multi-window columns. Moving one into Dwindle places its windows as separate tiles.

Master layout

Master places one or more primary windows in a master area and the remaining windows in a stack. The master area may sit left, right, or between two stacks.

Settings

[layout.master]
position = "left"
default_width_fraction = 0.55
new_on_top = true
new_becomes_master = false
new_exits_fullscreen = false

Key	Default	Description
position	"left"	Use "left", "right", or "center".
default_width_fraction	0.55	Initial master-area fraction.
new_on_top	true	Put new stack windows at the top.
new_becomes_master	false	Give the master slot to each new window.
new_exits_fullscreen	false	Exit fullscreen when a new window opens.

Behavior

The first window becomes master. Later windows join the stack unless new_becomes_master is enabled. Use layout-master-count-increase and layout-master-count-decrease to move windows between the two areas.

In center mode, stack windows are balanced between the left and right sides. Primary extent actions resize the master area. Secondary extent actions resize rows within an area.

Sizing behavior

Primary and secondary extent actions use layout.extent_presets:

• Scrolling: primary changes column extent; secondary changes a row.
• Dwindle: primary adjusts horizontal splits; secondary adjusts vertical splits.
• Master: primary changes the master fraction; secondary changes a row.
• Floating: primary changes width; secondary changes height.

The window-set-* actions assign an exact fraction. window-modify-* changes it by a signed amount, and window-cycle-* walks the configured presets.

Client minimum sizes

Applications may enforce a minimum size larger than their assigned tile. Umbriel clips oversized content rather than allowing it to cover neighboring tiles. Application-specific minimums must be disabled in that application’s settings when smaller tiles are required.

Floating windows

For floating windows, extent fractions use the output’s usable area and respect the application’s minimum and maximum size hints. Resizing a maximized floating window leaves maximization and keeps the new size. Extent actions do nothing while the window is fullscreen.

Parented dialogs stay above their parent and normally open centered over its visible area.

Maximize and fullscreen

window-toggle-fullscreen fills the complete output, ignoring struts and panel exclusive zones.

window-toggle-maximize fills the layout area. Tiled columns keep struts and gaps; floating windows fill the output’s usable area.

window-toggle-maximize-to-edges removes layout struts, gaps, and borders while leaving panel exclusive zones visible.