Module: tag

Labelled container where client objects can be stored.

What is a tag?

In AwesomeWM, a tag is a group of clients. It can either be used as labels or as more classical workspaces depending on how they are configured.

Client geometry

  • A tag can be attached to multiple clients
  • A client can be attached to multiple tags
  • A tag can only be in 1 screen any given time, but can be moved
  • All clients attached to a tag must be in the same screen as the tag

Creating tags

The default config initializes tags like this:

awful.tag(
  { "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" },
  s,
  awful.layout.layouts[1]
)

If you wish to have tags with different properties, then awful.tag.add is a better choice:

awful.tag.add("First tag", {
    icon               = "/path/to/icon1.png",
    layout             = awful.layout.suit.tile,
    master_fill_policy = "master_width_factor",
    gap_single_client  = true,
    gap                = 15,
    screen             = s,
    selected           = true,
})

awful.tag.add("Second tag", {
    icon = "/path/to/icon2.png",
    layout = awful.layout.suit.max,
    screen = s,
})

Note: the example above sets "First tag" to be selected explicitly, because otherwise you will find yourself without any selected tag.

Accessing tags

To access the "current tags", use

local tags = awful.screen.focused().selected_tags

See: awful.screen.focused

See: screen.selected_tags

To ignore the corner case where multiple tags are selected:

local t = awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See: screen.selected_tag

To get all tags for the focused screen:

local tags = awful.screen.focused().tags

See: screen.tags

To get all tags:

local tags = root.tags()

To get the current tag of the focused client:

local t = client.focus and client.focus.first_tag or nil

See: client.focus See: client.first_tag

To get a tag from its name:

local t = awful.tag.find_by_name(awful.screen.focused(), "name")

Common keybindings code

Here is a few useful shortcuts not part of the default rc.lua. Add these functions above -- {{{ Key bindings:

Delete the current tag

local function delete_tag()
    local t = awful.screen.focused().selected_tag
    if not t then return end
    t:delete()
end

Create a new tag at the end of the list

local function add_tag()
    awful.tag.add("NewTag", {
        screen = awful.screen.focused(),
        layout = awful.layout.suit.floating }):view_only()
end

Rename the current tag

local function rename_tag()
    awful.prompt.run {
        prompt       = "New tag name: ",
        textbox      = awful.screen.focused().mypromptbox.widget,
        exe_callback = function(new_name)
            if not new_name or #new_name == 0 then return end

            local t = awful.screen.focused().selected_tag
            if t then
                t.name = new_name
            end
        end
    }
end

Move the focused client to a new tag

local function move_to_new_tag()
    local c = client.focus
    if not c then return end

    local t = awful.tag.add(c.class,{screen= c.screen })
    c:tags({t})
    t:view_only()
end

Copy the current tag at the end of the list

local function copy_tag()
    local t = awful.screen.focused().selected_tag
    if not t then return end

    local clients = t:clients()
    local t2 = awful.tag.add(t.name, awful.tag.getdata(t))
    t2:clients(clients)
    t2:view_only()
end

And, in the globalkeys table:

awful.key({ modkey,           }, "a", add_tag,
          {description = "add a tag", group = "tag"}),
awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "a", delete_tag,
          {description = "delete the current tag", group = "tag"}),
awful.key({ modkey, "Control"   }, "a", move_to_new_tag,
          {description = "add a tag with the focused client", group = "tag"}),
awful.key({ modkey, "Mod1"   }, "a", copy_tag,
          {description = "create a copy of the current tag", group = "tag"}),
awful.key({ modkey, "Shift"   }, "r", rename_tag,
          {description = "rename the current tag", group = "tag"}),

See the global keybindings for more information about the keybindings.

Some signal names are starting with a dot. These dots are artefacts from the documentation generation, you get the real signal name by removing the starting dot.

Core components relationship

Acquire other objects from a tag
ClassProperty
clientt:clients()
screent.screen
Acquire a tag from other objects
ClassProperty
clientc.tags
screens.tags
screens.selected_tag
screens.selected_tags
Legend: c: a client object, t: a tag object, s: a screen object, k: an awful.key object, b: a awful.button object,n: a naughty.notification object

Info:

Constructors

awful.tag.add (name, props) Add a tag.

Static module functions

tag.instances () -> table Get the number of instances.
tag.disconnect_signal (name, func) Disconnect from a signal.
tag.emit_signal (name, ...) Emit a signal.
tag.connect_signal (name, func) Connect to a signal.
awful.tag.new (names, screen, layout) -> table Create a set of tags and attach it to a screen.
awful.tag.find_fallback (screen, invalids) -> tag or nil Find a suitable fallback tag.
awful.tag.history.update (obj) Update the tag history.
awful.tag.history.restore (screen, idx) Revert tag history.
awful.tag.find_by_name (s, name) -> tag or nil Find a tag by name.
awful.tag.incmwfact (add, t) Increase master width factor.
awful.tag.incgap (add, t) Increase the spacing between clients
awful.tag.togglemfpol (t) Toggle size fill policy for the master client(s) between "expand" and master_width_factor.
awful.tag.incnmaster (add, t, sensible) Increase the number of master windows.
awful.tag.incncol (add, t, sensible) Increase number of column windows.
awful.tag.viewnone (screen) View no tag.
awful.tag.viewidx (i, screen) Select a tag relative to the currently selected one.
awful.tag.viewnext (screen) View next tag.
awful.tag.viewprev (screen) View previous tag.
awful.tag.viewmore (tags, screen, maximum) View only a set of tags.
awful.tag.viewtoggle (t) Toggle selection of a tag
awful.tag.attached_connect_signal (screen, signal, callback) Add a signal to all attached tags and all tags that will be attached in the future.

Object properties

name string Tag name.
selected boolean True if the tag is selected to be viewed.
activated boolean True if the tag is active and can be used.
index integer The tag index.
screen screen The tag screen.
master_width_factor number The tag master width factor.
layout layout or function The tag client layout.
layouts table or nil The (proposed) list of available layouts for this tag.
volatile boolean Define if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged.
gap integer The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients.
gap_single_client boolean Enable gaps for a single client.
master_fill_policy string Set size fill policy for the master client(s).
master_count integer Set the number of master windows.
icon image or nil Set the tag icon.
column_count integer Set the number of columns.

Object methods

:clients (clients_table) -> table Get or set the clients attached to this tag.
:swap (tag2) Swap 2 tags.
:clear {[args]} Remove all tagged clients.
:delete (fallback_tag, force) -> boolean Delete a tag.
:view_only () View only a tag.
:emit_signal (name, ...) Emit a signal. Inherited from gears.object
:connect_signal (name, func) Connect to a signal. Inherited from gears.object
:weak_connect_signal (name, func) Connect to a signal weakly. Inherited from gears.object

Signals

request::select Emitted when a tag requests to be selected.
request::default_layouts This signal is emitted to request the list of default layouts.
request::layouts This signals is emitted when a tag needs layouts for the first time.
tagged Emitted when a client gets tagged with this tag.
untagged Emitted when a client gets untagged with this tag.
cleared Emitted when all clients are removed from the tag.
property::urgent Emitted when the number of urgent clients on this tag changes.
property::urgent_count Emitted when the number of urgent clients on this tag changes.
request::screen Emitted when a screen is removed.
removal-pending Emitted after request::screen if no new screen has been set.

Theme variables

beautiful.master_width_factor number The default master width factor
beautiful.useless_gap number The default gap.
beautiful.gap_single_client boolean Enable gaps for a single client.
beautiful.master_fill_policy string The default fill policy.
beautiful.master_count integer The default number of master windows.
beautiful.column_count integer The default number of columns.

Deprecated functions

awful.tag.move (new_index, target_tag) Move a tag to an absolute position in the screen[]:tags() table. Deprecated
awful.tag.swap (tag1, tag2) Swap 2 tags Deprecated
awful.tag.delete (target_tag, fallback_tag) Delete a tag. Deprecated
awful.tag.gettags (s) Get a list of all tags on a screen Deprecated
awful.tag.setscreen (s, t) Set a tag's screen Deprecated
awful.tag.getscreen (t) Get a tag's screen Deprecated
awful.tag.selectedlist (s) Return a table with all visible tags Deprecated
awful.tag.selected (s) Return only the first visible tag. Deprecated
awful.tag.setmwfact (mwfact, t) Set master width factor. Deprecated
awful.tag.getmwfact (t) Get master width factor. Deprecated
awful.tag.setlayout (layout, t) Set layout. Deprecated
awful.tag.setvolatile (volatile, t) Set if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged Deprecated
awful.tag.getvolatile (t) Get if the tag must be deleted when the last client closes Deprecated
awful.tag.setgap (useless_gap, t) Set the spacing between clients Deprecated
awful.tag.getgap (t, numclients) Get the spacing between clients. Deprecated
awful.tag.setmfpol (policy, t) Set size fill policy for the master client(s) Deprecated
awful.tag.getmfpol (t) Get size fill policy for the master client(s) Deprecated
awful.tag.setnmaster (nmaster, t) The number of master clients. Deprecated
awful.tag.getnmaster (t) Get the number of master windows. Deprecated
awful.tag.seticon (icon, tag) Set the tag icon Deprecated
awful.tag.geticon (tag) Get the tag icon Deprecated
awful.tag.setncol (ncol, t) Set number of column windows. Deprecated
awful.tag.getncol (t) Get number of column windows. Deprecated
awful.tag.getidx (query_tag) Get a tag's index in the gettags() table. Deprecated
awful.tag.viewonly (t) View only a tag. Deprecated
awful.tag.getdata (t) Get tag data table. Deprecated
awful.tag.getproperty (t, prop) Get a tag property. Deprecated
awful.tag.setproperty (t, prop, value) Set a tag property. Deprecated
awful.tag.withcurrent (c) Tag a client with the set of current tags. Deprecated

Fields

awful.tag.history.limit integer The number of elements kept in the history.
awful.tag.layouts N/A An ordered list of layouts.


Constructors

🔗 awful.tag.add (name, props)

Add a tag.

This function allow to create tags from a set of properties:

local t = awful.tag.add("my new tag", {
    screen = screen.primary,
    layout = awful.layout.suit.max,
})

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
name string The tag name, a string Not applicable
props Optional table or nil The tags initial properties, a table nil

Returns:

    tag The created tag.

See also:

tag.delete Delete a tag. object methods

Static module functions

🔗 tag.instances () -> table
Get the number of instances.

Returns:

    table The number of tag objects alive.
🔗 tag.disconnect_signal (name, func)
Disconnect from a signal.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
func function The callback that should be disconnected.
🔗 tag.emit_signal (name, ...)
Emit a signal.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
... Extra arguments for the callback functions. Each connected function receives the object as first argument and then any extra arguments that are given to emit_signal().
🔗 tag.connect_signal (name, func)
Connect to a signal.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
func function The callback to call when the signal is emitted.
🔗 awful.tag.new (names, screen, layout) -> table

Create a set of tags and attach it to a screen.

This is what's performed by the default config:

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9" }, screen[1], awful.layout.layouts[1])

It is also possible to set multiple layouts:

 local some_layouts = {
     awful.layout.suit.fair,
     awful.layout.suit.spiral,
     awful.layout.suit.spiral.dwindle,
     awful.layout.suit.magnifier,
     awful.layout.suit.corner.nw,
 }

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four", "five" }, screen[1], some_layouts)

 -- Add some clients
 for _, t in ipairs(screen[1].tags) do
     for _ = 1, 5 do
         awful.spawn("xterm", {tag = t})
     end
 end

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
names table The tag name, in a table Not applicable
screen Optional screen or number The tag screen. 1
layout table The layout or layout table to set for this tags by default. Not applicable

Returns:

    table A table with all created tags.
🔗 awful.tag.find_fallback (screen, invalids) -> tag or nil
Find a suitable fallback tag.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
screen Optional screen The screen to look for a tag on. awful.screen.focused()
invalids Optional table or nil A table of tags considered unacceptable. nil

Returns:

    tag or nil Returns a fallback tag if one was found, otherwise nil.
🔗 awful.tag.history.update (obj)
Update the tag history.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
obj screen Screen object.
🔗 awful.tag.history.restore (screen, idx)
Revert tag history.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
screen screen The screen.
idx number Index in history. Defaults to "previous" which is a special index toggling between last two selected sets of tags. Number (eg 1) will go back to the given index in history.
🔗 awful.tag.find_by_name (s, name) -> tag or nil
Find a tag by name.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
s screen The screen of the tag
name string The name of the tag

Returns:

    tag or nil The tag found, or nil

Usage:

    -- For the current screen
    local t = awful.tag.find_by_name(awful.screen.focused(), "name")
    
    -- For a screen index
    local t = awful.tag.find_by_name(screen[1], "name")
    
    -- For all screens
    local t = awful.tag.find_by_name(nil, "name")
🔗 awful.tag.incmwfact (add, t)
Increase master width factor.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
add number Value to add to master width factor. Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

master_width_factor The tag master width factor. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.incgap (add, t)
Increase the spacing between clients

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
add number Value to add to the spacing between clients Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
beautiful.useless_gap The default gap. theme variables
🔗 awful.tag.togglemfpol (t)
Toggle size fill policy for the master client(s) between "expand" and master_width_factor.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
🔗 awful.tag.incnmaster (add, t, sensible)
Increase the number of master windows.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
add number Value to add to number of master windows. Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag
sensible Optional boolean Limit nmaster based on the number of visible tiled windows? false

See also:

master_count Set the number of master windows. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.incncol (add, t, sensible)
Increase number of column windows.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
add number Value to add to number of column windows. Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag
sensible Optional boolean Limit column_count based on the number of visible tiled windows? false
🔗 awful.tag.viewnone (screen)

View no tag.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 -- Manually select some tags (tag 1 was auto selected).
 screen[1].tags[3].selected = true
 screen[1].tags[4].selected = true

 -- Deselect all tags.
 awful.tag.viewnone()

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
screen Optional int or screen The screen.
🔗 awful.tag.viewidx (i, screen)
Select a tag relative to the currently selected one.

Note that this doesn't work well with multiple selection.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

 -- Select the tag relative to idx 2.
 awful.tag.viewidx(2)

 -- Select the tag relative to idx -2.
 awful.tag.viewidx(-2)

This is equivalent to screen.tags[i]:view_only()

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
i number The relative index to see.
screen Optional screen The screen.

See also:

screen.tags A list of all tags on the screen. (screen) object properties
awful.tag.viewnext View next tag. static module functions
awful.tag.viewprev View previous tag. static module functions
🔗 awful.tag.viewnext (screen)

View next tag. This is the same as tag.viewidx(1).

Note that this doesn't work well with multiple selection.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 screen[1].tags[3]:view_only()

 -- Select the next tag.
 awful.tag.viewnext()

 -- Select the next tag (again).
 awful.tag.viewnext()

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
screen screen The screen.

See also:

awful.tag.viewidx Select a tag relative to the currently selected one. static module functions
awful.tag.viewprev View previous tag. static module functions
🔗 awful.tag.viewprev (screen)

View previous tag. This is the same a tag.viewidx(-1).

Note that this doesn't work well with multiple selection.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

 -- Select the previous tag.
 awful.tag.viewprev()

 -- Select the previous tag (again).
 awful.tag.viewprev()

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
screen screen The screen.

See also:

awful.tag.viewidx Select a tag relative to the currently selected one. static module functions
awful.tag.viewnext View next tag. static module functions
🔗 awful.tag.viewmore (tags, screen, maximum)
View only a set of tags.

If maximum is set, there will be a limit on the number of new tag being selected. The tags already selected do not count. To do nothing if one or more of the tags are already selected, set maximum to zero.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
tags table A table with tags to view only. Not applicable
screen Optional screen The screen of the tags. Undefined
maximum Optional number The maximum number of tags to select. #tags
🔗 awful.tag.viewtoggle (t)
Toggle selection of a tag

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t tag Tag to be toggled

See also:

selected True if the tag is selected to be viewed. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.attached_connect_signal (screen, signal, callback)
Add a signal to all attached tags and all tags that will be attached in the future. When a tag is detached from the screen, its signal is removed.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
screen screen or nil The screen concerned, or all if nil.
signal string The signal name.
callback function

Object properties

🔗 name string · 1 signal

Tag name.

  -- Calling awful.tag.new
  awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

  screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

  -- Change the name to New*tag*name.
  screen[1].tags[2].name = "New*tag*name"

Constraints:

Default value : ""

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::name When the name value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 selected boolean · 1 signal

True if the tag is selected to be viewed.

  -- Calling awful.tag.new
  awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

  -- Change the selection.
  screen[1].tags[1].selected = not screen[1].tags[1].selected
  screen[1].tags[2].selected = true
  screen[1].tags[3].selected = true

Constraints:

Default value : false
Valid values : true or false.

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::selected When the selected value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 activated boolean · 1 signal
True if the tag is active and can be used.

Constraints:

Default value : true
Valid values : true or false.

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::activated When the activated value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 index integer · 1 signal
The tag index.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 -- Send the first tag to index 3.
 screen[1].tags[1].index = 3

 -- Send the first tag to index 3.
 screen[1].tags[4].index = 1

The index is the position as shown in the awful.widget.taglist.

Constraints:

Default value : This is based on the current list of t.screen:tags().
Negative allowed : false

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::index When the index value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 screen screen · 1 signal
The tag screen.

Constraints:

Default value : awful.screen.focused()
Type description:
screen : A valid screen object such as retured by awful.screen.focused() or mouse.screen.
integer : A screen global id. Avoid using this since they are unsorted.
string : The "primary" value is also valid.

See also:

screen A physical or virtual screen object. module

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::screen When the screen value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 master_width_factor number · 2 signals
The tag master width factor.

The master width factor is one of the 5 main properties used to configure the layout. Each layout interpret (or ignore) this property differently.

See the layout suit documentation for information about how the master width factor is used.

When multiple columns are used, the master width remains the same, but the other columns split the remaining space among them:

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.master_width_factor
Minimum value : 0.0
Maximum value : 1.0

See also:

master_count Set the number of master windows. object properties
column_count Set the number of columns. object properties
master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
awful.tag.incmwfact Increase master width factor. static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::mwfact When the value changes (deprecated).
  • property::master_width_factor When the value changes.

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.master_width_factor
🔗 layout layout or function · 1 signal
The tag client layout.

This property holds the layout. A layout can be either stateless or stateful. Stateless layouts are used by default by Awesome. They tile clients without any other overhead. They take an ordered list of clients and place them on the screen. Stateful layouts create an object instance for each tags and can store variables and metadata. Because of this, they are able to change over time and be serialized (saved).

Both types of layouts have valid usage scenarios.

Stateless layouts:

These layouts are stored in awful.layout.suit. They expose a table with 2 fields:

  • name (string): The layout name. This should be unique.
  • arrange (function): The function called when the clients need to be placed. The only parameter is a table or arguments returned by awful.layout.parameters

The parameter table contains:

Parameter Type Description
workarea table A table with x,y, width and height keys.
All clients must be placed within this area.
geometry table A table with the screen geometry.
clients table A list of the clients to place.
screen screen The screen.
padding table A table with left, right, top and bottom keys.
useless_gap integer The space that will be removed from the clients.
geometries table Empty. Place the client as key and preferred geometry
as value. Do not call :geometry() directly.

Stateful layouts:

The stateful layouts API is the same as stateless, but they are a function returining a layout instead of a layout itself. They also should have an is_dynamic = true property. If they don't, awful.tag will create a new instance every time the layout is set. If they do, the instance will be cached and re-used.

The client organized by the layout will fill the screen tiling_area section:

Constraints:

Default value : The first non-nil value of either self.layouts[1] or awful.layout.layouts[1] or awful.layout.suit.floating.
Function prototype:
Parameters:
params (table) : A table containing the state of the layout (see the table above).
Return : The function returns nothing.
Valid values : A layout table or a constructor function

See also:

awful.tag.layouts An ordered list of layouts. fields
awful.layout.parameters Get the layout parameters used for the screen

This should give the same result as "arrange", but without the "geometries" parameter, as this is computed during arranging. (awful.layout)

static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::layout When the layout value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 layouts table or nil · 1 permission
The (proposed) list of available layouts for this tag.

This property allows to define a subset (or superset) of layouts available in the "rotation table". In the default configuration file, Mod4+Space and Mod4+Shift+Space are used to switch between tags. The awful.widget.layoutlist also uses this as its default layout filter.

By default, it will be the same as awful.layout.layouts unless there the a layout not present is used. If that's the case they will be added at the front of the list.

Constraints:

Default value : nil
Type description:
nil : Use the current value of awful.layout.layouts.

See also:

awful.layout.layouts The default list of layouts. (awful.layout) fields
screen.workarea The screen workarea. (screen) object properties
screen.padding The screen padding. (screen) object properties
layout The tag client layout. object properties

Click to display more

Requested actions or permissions:

Class Permission Context Default Description
taglayoutsawfulgrantedWhen the layouts property is first called and there is no layouts, then that signal is called.
🔗 volatile boolean · 1 signal
Define if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged.

This is useful to create "throw-away" tags for operation like 50/50 (Windows "Aero Snap) side-by-side views. This keybinding code for this is:

local function aero_tag()
    local c = client.focus

    if not c then return end

    local c2 = awful.client.focus.history.list[2]

    if (not c2) or c2 == c then return end

    local t = awful.tag.add("Aero", {
        screen              = c.screen,
        volatile            = true,
        layout              = awful.layout.suit.tile,
        master_width_factor = 0.5
    })

    t:clients({c, c2})

    t:view_only()
end

 -- Create a non-volatile and a volatile tag.
 awful.tag.add("Non-Volatile", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.corner.nw,
     volatile = false,
 })

 awful.tag.add("Volatile", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.corner.nw,
     volatile = true,
 })

 -- Add some clients.
 for _, t in ipairs(screen[1].tags) do
     for _ = 1, 5 do
         awful.spawn("xterm", {tag = t})
     end
 end

 -- Kill all clients.
 while #client.get() ~= 0 do
     client.get()[1]:kill()
 end

As you can see, the "Volatile" tag has been automatically discarded while the "Non-volatile" tag is still there (but with zero clients).

Constraints:

Default value : false
Valid values : true or false.

See also:

delete Delete a tag. object methods

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::volatile When the volatile value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 gap integer · 1 signal
The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients.

This property allows to waste space on the screen in the name of style, unicorns and readability.

In this example, the value of gap is set to 20:

Compared to setting to the (very high) value of 50:

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.useless_gap
Unit : pixel
Negative allowed : false
Valid values : The value has to be greater than zero.

See also:

gap_single_client Enable gaps for a single client. object properties
awful.tag.incgap Increase the spacing between clients static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::useless_gap When the gap changes.

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.useless_gap
🔗 gap_single_client boolean · 1 signal
Enable gaps for a single client.

If the gaps are used purely for readability when multiple clients are tiled, then it may make sense to disable it when there is only a single client (to recover that space). In that case, set gap_single_client to false.

Default (with a 20px gap):

when set to false:

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.gap_single_client
Valid values : Enable gaps for a single client

See also:

awful.tag.incgap Increase the spacing between clients static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::gap_single_client When the gap_single_client value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.gap_single_client
🔗 master_fill_policy string · 1 signal
Set size fill policy for the master client(s).

Some multi-column layouts can be configured so that the space is redistributed when there is not enough clients to fill all columns.

This is the default behavior of the tile.left layout (expand):

This is what happends when set to master_width_factor:

The remaining space that would have been used for the second column is redistributed on both side.

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.master_fill_policy
Valid values:
"expand" : Take all the space
"master_width_factor" : Only take the ratio defined by the master_width_factor

See also:

awful.tag.togglemfpol Toggle size fill policy for the master client(s) between "expand" and master_width_factor. static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::master_fill_policy When the master_fill_policy value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.master_fill_policy
🔗 master_count integer · 2 signals

Set the number of master windows.

 -- Create a tag with master count of 1 and tag with count of 2
 awful.tag.add("Master 1", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.tile,
     master_count = 1,
 })

 awful.tag.add("Master 2", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.tile,
     master_count = 2,
 })

 -- Add some clients.
 for _, t in ipairs(screen[1].tags) do
     for _ = 1, 5 do
         awful.spawn("xterm", {tag = t})
     end
 end

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.master_count
Minimum value : 1
Valid values : Only positive values are accepted

See also:

awful.tag.incnmaster Increase the number of master windows. static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::nmaster Deprecated.
  • property::master_count When the value changes.

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.master_count
🔗 icon image or nil · 1 signal

Set the tag icon.

 awful.tag.add("one", {})

 awful.tag.add("two", {
     icon = beautiful.awesome_icon
 })

 awful.tag.add("three", {})

Constraints:

Default value : nil
Type description:
string : Interpreted as a path to an image file.
string : A valid SVG content.
cairo : A cairo image surface: Directly used as-is.
librsvg : A librsvg handle object: Directly used as-is.
nil : Unset the image.

See also:

awful.widget.taglist Taglist widget module for awful. module
gears.surface Utilities to integrate and manipulate Cairo drawing surfaces. module

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::icon When the icon value changes.
    • self tag The object which changed (useful when connecting many object to the same callback).
🔗 column_count integer · 2 signals

Set the number of columns.

 -- Create a tag with column count of 1 and tag with count of 2
 awful.tag.add("1 column", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.tile,
     column_count = 1,
 })

 awful.tag.add("2 columns", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.tile,
     column_count = 2,
 })

 awful.tag.add("3 columns", {
     screen   = screen[1],
     layout   = awful.layout.suit.tile,
     column_count = 3,
 })

 -- Add some clients.
 for _, t in ipairs(screen[1].tags) do
     for _ = 1, 6 do
         awful.spawn("xterm", {tag = t})
     end
 end

Constraints:

Default value : beautiful.column_count or 1
Minimum value : 1
Valid values : Has to be greater than 1

See also:

awful.tag.incncol Increase number of column windows. static module functions

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • property::ncol Deprecated.
  • property::column_count When the value changes.

Consumed theme variables:

Theme variable Usage
beautiful.column_count

Object methods

🔗 :clients (clients_table) -> table
Get or set the clients attached to this tag.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
clients_table Optional table None or a table of clients to set as being tagged with this tag. nil

Returns:

    table A table with the clients attached to this tags.
🔗 :swap (tag2)

Swap 2 tags.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

 -- Swap tag 2 with tag 4.
 screen[1].tags[2]:swap(screen[1].tags[4])

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
tag2 tag The second tag

See also:

client.swap Swap a client with another one in global client list. (client) object methods
🔗 :clear {[args]} · 2 signals

Remove all tagged clients.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two" }, screen[1], some_layouts)

 -- Call :clear() on the first tag.
 screen[1].tags[1]:clear{}

Parameters:

Note: This object methods uses named parameters calling convention. It means you call it with {} and omit the parantheses. For example, calling this will all default argument would be clear{}. This is a Lua shortcut syntax equivalent to clear({}). args is only a placeholder name for the "lone table argument" used in named parameters calls.
Name Type(s) Description Default value
args table The arguments. Not applicable
fallback_tag tag A fallback tag. Not applicable
allow_untagged Optional boolean Allow the untagged clients to remain untagged. false

Click to display more

Emit signals:

  • cleared After all clients have been untagged.
  • untagged For each currently tagged clients.
    • c client The untagged client.
🔗 :delete (fallback_tag, force) -> boolean

Delete a tag.

To delete the current tag:

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

 -- Delete the selected tag.
 mouse.screen.selected_tag:delete()

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
fallback_tag Optional tag Tag to assign stickied tags to. awful.tag.find_fallback()
force Optional boolean Move even non-sticky clients to the fallback tag. false

Returns:

    boolean Returns true if the tag is successfully deleted. If there are no clients exclusively on this tag then delete it. Any stickied clients are assigned to the optional 'fallback_tag'. If after deleting the tag there is no selected tag, try and restore from history or select the first tag on the screen.

See also:

awful.tag.add Add a tag. constructors
awful.tag.find_fallback Find a suitable fallback tag. static module functions
🔗 :view_only ()

View only a tag.

 -- Calling awful.tag.new
 awful.tag({ "one", "two", "three", "four" }, screen[1])

 -- Manually select some tags (tag 1 was auto selected).
 screen[1].tags[3].selected = true
 screen[1].tags[4].selected = true

 -- Call :view_only() on the second tag.
 screen[1].tags[2]:view_only()

See also:

selected True if the tag is selected to be viewed. object properties
🔗 :emit_signal (name, ...) · Inherited from gears.object
Emit a signal.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
... Extra arguments for the callback functions. Each connected function receives the object as first argument and then any extra arguments that are given to emit_signal().
🔗 :connect_signal (name, func) · Inherited from gears.object
Connect to a signal.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
func function The callback to call when the signal is emitted.
🔗 :weak_connect_signal (name, func) · Inherited from gears.object
Connect to a signal weakly.

This allows the callback function to be garbage collected and automatically disconnects the signal when that happens.

Warning: Only use this function if you really, really, really know what you are doing.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
name string The name of the signal.
func function The callback to call when the signal is emitted.

Signals

🔗 request::select · 1 permission
Emitted when a tag requests to be selected.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
context string The reason why it was called.

Click to display more

Requested actions or permissions:

Class Permission Context Default Description
tagselectewmhgrantedWhen the client request to be moved to a specific virtual desktop. AwesomeWM interprets virtual desktop as indexed tags.
🔗 request::default_layouts · 1 permission · Class level only

This signal is emitted to request the list of default layouts.

It is emitted on the global tag class rather than individual tag objects. This default handler is part of rc.lua:

  tag.connect_signal("request::default_layouts", function()
      awful.layout.append_default_layouts({
          awful.layout.suit.floating,
          awful.layout.suit.tile,
          awful.layout.suit.tile.left,
          awful.layout.suit.tile.bottom,
          awful.layout.suit.tile.top,
          awful.layout.suit.fair,
          awful.layout.suit.fair.horizontal,
          awful.layout.suit.spiral,
          awful.layout.suit.spiral.dwindle,
          awful.layout.suit.max,
          awful.layout.suit.max.fullscreen,
          awful.layout.suit.magnifier,
          awful.layout.suit.corner.nw,
      })
  end)

External modules can also use this signal to dynamically add additional default layouts.

  tag.connect_signal("request::default_layouts", function()
      awful.layout.append_default_layouts({
          custom_module.layout_1,
          custom_module.layout_2,
      })
  end)

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
context string The context (currently always "startup").

See also:

awful.layout.layouts The default list of layouts. (awful.layout) fields
awful.layout.append_default_layout Append a layout to the list of default tag layouts. (awful.layout) static module functions
awful.layout.remove_default_layout Remove a layout from the list of default layouts. (awful.layout) static module functions

Click to display more

Requested actions or permissions:

Class Permission Context Default Description
tagdefault_layoutsstartupgrantedWhen AwesomeWM starts, it queries for default layout using this request.
🔗 request::layouts
This signals is emitted when a tag needs layouts for the first time.

If no handler implement it, it will fallback to the content added by request::default_layouts

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
context string The context (currently always "awful").
hints table A, currently empty, table with hints.
🔗 tagged
Emitted when a client gets tagged with this tag.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
c client The tagged client.
🔗 untagged
Emitted when a client gets untagged with this tag.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
c client The untagged client.
🔗 cleared
Emitted when all clients are removed from the tag.

See also:

clear Remove all tagged clients. object methods
🔗 property::urgent
Emitted when the number of urgent clients on this tag changes.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
urgent boolean true if there is at least one urgent client on the tag.

See also:

client.urgent Set to true when the client ask for attention. (client) object properties
🔗 property::urgent_count
Emitted when the number of urgent clients on this tag changes.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
count integer The number of urgent clients on the tag.

See also:

client.urgent Set to true when the client ask for attention. (client) object properties
🔗 request::screen
Emitted when a screen is removed.

This can be used to salvage existing tags by moving them to a new screen (or creating a virtual screen).

By default, there is no handler for this request and the tags will be deleted. To prevent this, an handler for this request must simply set a new screen for the tag.

Arguments:

Name Type(s) Description
context string Why it was called.
🔗 removal-pending
Emitted after request::screen if no new screen has been set. The tag will be deleted, this is a last chance to move its clients before they are sent to a fallback tag. Connect to request::screen if you wish to salvage the tag.

Theme variables

🔗 beautiful.master_width_factor number
The default master width factor

See also:

master_width_factor The tag master width factor. object properties
gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

🔗 beautiful.useless_gap number
The default gap.

See also:

gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
gap_single_client Enable gaps for a single client. object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

  • gap The gap (spacing, also called `useless_gap`) between clients.
  • gap The gap (spacing, also called `useless_gap`) between clients.
🔗 beautiful.gap_single_client boolean
Enable gaps for a single client.

See also:

gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
gap_single_client Enable gaps for a single client. object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

🔗 beautiful.master_fill_policy string

The default fill policy.

* Possible values*:

  • expand: Take all the space
  • *masterwidthfactor*: Only take the ratio defined by the master_width_factor

See also:

master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

🔗 beautiful.master_count integer
The default number of master windows.

See also:

master_count Set the number of master windows. object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

🔗 beautiful.column_count integer
The default number of columns.

See also:

column_count Set the number of columns. object properties

Click to display more

Used by:

Deprecated functions

🔗 awful.tag.move (new_index, target_tag)
Move a tag to an absolute position in the screen[]:tags() table.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
new_index integer Integer absolute position in the table to insert. Not applicable
target_tag Optional tag The tag that should be moved. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

index The tag index. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.swap (tag1, tag2)
Swap 2 tags

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
tag1 tag The first tag
tag2 tag The second tag

See also:

tag.swap Swap 2 tags. object methods
🔗 awful.tag.delete (target_tag, fallback_tag)
Delete a tag.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
target_tag Optional tag Optional tag object to delete. mouse.screen.selected_tag
fallback_tag Optional tag or nil Tag to assign stickied tags to. Undefined

Returns:

    boolean Returns true if the tag is successfully deleted, nil otherwise. If there are no clients exclusively on this tag then delete it. Any stickied clients are assigned to the optional 'fallback_tag'. If after deleting the tag there is no selected tag, try and restore from history or select the first tag on the screen.

See also:

tag.delete Delete a tag. object methods
🔗 awful.tag.gettags (s)
Get a list of all tags on a screen

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
s screen Screen

Returns:

    table A table with all available tags

See also:

screen.tags A list of all tags on the screen. (screen) object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setscreen (s, t)
Set a tag's screen

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
s screen Screen
t tag The tag object

See also:

screen A physical or virtual screen object. module
🔗 awful.tag.getscreen (t)
Get a tag's screen

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
t Optional tag or nil Tag object awful.screen.focused().selected_taga

Returns:

    screen The tag screen.

See also:

screen A physical or virtual screen object. module
🔗 awful.tag.selectedlist (s)
Return a table with all visible tags

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
s screen Screen.

Returns:

    table A table with all selected tags.

See also:

screen.selected_tags A list of all selected tags on the screen. (screen) object properties
🔗 awful.tag.selected (s)
Return only the first visible tag.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
s screen Screen.

See also:

screen.selected_tag The first selected tag. (screen) object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setmwfact (mwfact, t)
Set master width factor.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
mwfact number Master width factor. Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
master_width_factor The tag master width factor. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getmwfact (t)
Get master width factor.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t Optional tag or nil The tag.

See also:

master_width_factor The tag master width factor. object properties
master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setlayout (layout, t)
Set layout.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
layout A layout table or a constructor function
t tag The tag to modify

Returns:

    The layout

See also:

layout The tag client layout. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setvolatile (volatile, t)
Set if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
volatile boolean If the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

volatile Define if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getvolatile (t)
Get if the tag must be deleted when the last client closes

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
t Optional tag The tag to modify. opt=awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

Returns:

    boolean If the tag will be deleted when the last client is untagged

See also:

volatile Define if the tag must be deleted when the last client is untagged. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setgap (useless_gap, t)
Set the spacing between clients

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
useless_gap number or nil The spacing between clients Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getgap (t, numclients)
Get the spacing between clients.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
t Optional tag The tag. tag.selected()
numclients Optional int Number of (tiled) clients. Passing this will return 0 for a single client. You can override this function to change this behavior. Undefined

See also:

gap The gap (spacing, also called useless_gap) between clients. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setmfpol (policy, t)
Set size fill policy for the master client(s)

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
policy string Can be set to "expand" (fill all the available workarea) or master_width_factor (fill only an area inside the master width factor) Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify tag.selected()

See also:

master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getmfpol (t)
Get size fill policy for the master client(s)

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
t Optional tag The tag tag.selected()

Returns:

    string Possible values are "expand" (fill all the available workarea, default one) or "masterwidthfactor" (fill only an area inside the master width factor)

See also:

master_fill_policy Set size fill policy for the master client(s). object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setnmaster (nmaster, t)
The number of master clients.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
nmaster number The number of master windows.
t Optional tag The tag.

See also:

master_count Set the number of master windows. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getnmaster (t)
Get the number of master windows.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t Optional tag The tag.

See also:

master_count Set the number of master windows. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.seticon (icon, tag)
Set the tag icon

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
icon gears.surface or string The icon to set, either path or image object
tag tag The tag

See also:

icon Set the tag icon. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.geticon (tag)
Get the tag icon

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
tag tag The tag

See also:

icon Set the tag icon. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.setncol (ncol, t)
Set number of column windows.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description Default value
ncol integer The number of column. Not applicable
t Optional tag The tag to modify. awful.screen.focused().selected_tag

See also:

column_count Set the number of columns. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getncol (t)
Get number of column windows.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t Optional tag The tag.

See also:

column_count Set the number of columns. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.getidx (query_tag)
Get a tag's index in the gettags() table.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
query_tag tag The tag object to find. [selected()]

Returns:

    integer or nil The index of the tag, nil if the tag is not found.

See also:

index The tag index. object properties
🔗 awful.tag.viewonly (t)
View only a tag.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t tag The tag object.

See also:

tag.view_only View only a tag. object methods
🔗 awful.tag.getdata (t)
Get tag data table.

Do not use.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t tag The tag.

Returns:

    table The data table.
🔗 awful.tag.getproperty (t, prop)
Get a tag property.

Use _tag.prop directly.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t tag The tag.
prop string The property name.

Returns:

    The property.
🔗 awful.tag.setproperty (t, prop, value)
Set a tag property. This properties are internal to awful. Some are used to draw taglist, or to handle layout, etc.

Use t.prop = value

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
t tag The tag.
prop string The property name.
value The value.
🔗 awful.tag.withcurrent (c)
Tag a client with the set of current tags.

Parameters:

Name Type(s) Description
c client The client to tag.

Fields

🔗 awful.tag.history.limit integer
The number of elements kept in the history.
🔗 awful.tag.layouts N/A

An ordered list of layouts. awful.tag.layout Is usually defined in rc.lua. It store the list of layouts used when selecting the previous and next layouts. This is the default:

 -- Table of layouts to cover with awful.layout.inc, order matters.
 awful.layout.layouts = {
     awful.layout.suit.floating,
     awful.layout.suit.tile,
     awful.layout.suit.tile.left,
     awful.layout.suit.tile.bottom,
     awful.layout.suit.tile.top,
     awful.layout.suit.fair,
     awful.layout.suit.fair.horizontal,
     awful.layout.suit.spiral,
     awful.layout.suit.spiral.dwindle,
     awful.layout.suit.max,
     awful.layout.suit.max.fullscreen,
     awful.layout.suit.magnifier,
     awful.layout.suit.corner.nw,
     -- awful.layout.suit.corner.ne,
     -- awful.layout.suit.corner.sw,
     -- awful.layout.suit.corner.se,
 }

See also:

request::layouts This signals is emitted when a tag needs layouts for the first time. signals
awful.layout.append_default_layouts Append many layouts to the list of default tag layouts. (awful.layout) static module functions
awful.layout.append_default_layout Append a layout to the list of default tag layouts. (awful.layout) static module functions
awful.layout.remove_default_layout Remove a layout from the list of default layouts. (awful.layout) static module functions
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