awesome-wm: binding programs to workspaces

Question

Could you please suggest some simple method of binding certain programs/windows to their own workspaces? E. g. firefox is always to be started on workspace 1, chromium - workspace 2, terminal - workspace 3 etc.

Thank you!

Answer 1

You can use Awesome native rules:

awful.rules.rules = {
  { rule = { class = "Firefox" },
  properties = { tag = tags[1][1] , switchtotag=true } },
  { rule = { class = "Chromium" },
  properties = { tag = tags[1][2] , switchtotag=true } },
  { rule = { class = "Terminal" },
  properties = { tag = tags[1][3] , switchtotag=true } },
}

You can confirm class names with wmctrl -lx.

Answer 2

I would recommend using Shifty:

Shifty is an Awesome 3 extension that implements dynamic tagging. It also implements a client matching configuration that simplifies tag-client matching. Here are a few ways of how shifty makes awesome awesomer:

• On-the-fly tag creation and disposal
• Advanced client matching
• Easy moving of clients between tags
• Tag add/rename prompt in taglist completion
• Reordering tags and configurable positioning
• Tag name guessing, automagic no-config client grouping
• Customizable keybindings per client and tag
• Simple yet powerful configuration

Answer 3

Instructions are located in Awesome FAQ 3.18 and 3.19.