I installed Kubuntu a few days ago, and am familiarizing myself with it. In this case, I tried to make apps open in particular monitors, and so tried to use Window Rules. But I have problems understanding what to do, and Google AI is, in this case, not too helpful.
So, I would simply ask where I can find an up-to-date description on how to use Windows Rules (I have looked, but no cigar).
Thanks in advance.
Hans L
PS. I would have issued a tag, had I just been able to figure out how.
I am not sure if there is a wiki for KDE’s window rules, but all the rules are explained when making window rules. You just need to hover over a rule, then read what the rule does. Some rules are obvious, some may need a little reading.
Note, however, that if your rules are too specific, they may not work as intended, and if they are too broad, same thing. Trial and error, basically.
Example:
This rule is for the “Library” window in Firefox browsers, or the Downloads, History and Bookmarks window. The actual title of the window when it is open is “Library”, so this rule will place it in the center of the screen on a 1920x1080 screen, and with a specific size.
TIP: Use the “Detect Window Properties” button at the bottom of the Window Rules window to make things easier for yourself.
another somewhat confusing thing is that Window Rule and Application Rules are basically the same thing—same GUI interface—but when you choose application from the context menu it preselects a few things for you in the GUI interface, and vise versa.
takes some getting used to.
Thank you, ddnnacheta and skyfishgoo.
I will do trial and error (probable more error than trial :-).
Hans L
Yeah, it takes some getting used to.
Once done, you can export your rules. I recommend you do this in case you decide to keep using KDE but on another distro. Many of KDE’s settings can be exported directly through the settings interface, including your keyboard shortcuts.
KDE - The Best DE Known To Man.
Yeah, there will be a lot to getting used to. I have installed a number of apps that I want, and it is going to take a long time to get them all working, especially Wine and Veeam Agent for Linus, where I have problems installing. When I have a working Window Rules rule, I will tackle those two.
Thanks again / Hans L
There is
Yeah I’m not even sure if it’s worth keeping both and not just have one “KWin rules” option
don’t use wine, use bottles
installing and configuring wine is too much work and exposes your OS to potential harm.
if you want to try to run windows .exe programs, it’s safer to do it in a container and the bottles flatpak give a nice GUI to all the configuration work as well.
I personally have both but I felt like bottles was too much of a hassle to set up but only because I didn’t put enough effort into it. Also iirc some programs didn’t work correctly in bottles while working fine in wine. Just my personal experience
I’d recommend Lutris over Bottles. I have a fully functional Affinity Suite and Clip Studio Paint as a result of using a Lutris script that was made for Affinity.
And best part is, once you install it via Lutris, you can copy and paste the folder on a fresh install and things will work just the same, so long as you install all the Linux- and Wine-related dependencies.
One more note about Kwin Rules:
Currently, and this is true for many small things in KDE, Kwin Rules work better in KDE X11 sessions over KDE Wayland sessions (which is default now).
I was in a Wayland session for this weekend thinking why my window rules weren’t working every time windows that have specific rules would pop up under my cursor instead of centered, to the right, etc.
On an unrelated note, my KDE Wayland session froze for about 15 seconds while using the Krita AppImage, and I thought, “This never happens in Openbox.” So, I decided to check if it was Wayland-related.
Lo and behold, I started a KDE X11 session and my window rules are all working as expected, with only windows that don’t have rules opening under my cursor.
So, in case you run into an issue where a rule just seems to not work, it might just be a Wayland issue that will be ironed out eventually.
You can only practice patience in this case.
But also, report it if you have the time or care to do so.
Thank you, reisb, for the Wiki, and thanks to everone else for Wine and alternatives.
