Floating Windows

Manage windows that float on top of the tiled layout

Available since version 25.01

Floating windows in niri always show on top of the tiled windows. The floating layout does not scroll. Each workspace/monitor has its own floating layout, just like each workspace/monitor has its own tiling layout.

Automatic Floating

New windows will automatically float if they:

Have a Parent

Windows with a parent window, such as dialog boxes

Fixed Size

Windows with a fixed size, such as splash screens

Manual Control

1. Toggle Floating

   Use the toggle-window-floating bind to switch between floating and tiling

2. Right-Click While Dragging

   Right click while dragging/moving the window to toggle its state

Window Rules

You can use the open-floating true/false window rule to:

• Force a window to open as floating
• Disable the automatic floating logic

Focus Management

Use switch-focus-between-floating-and-tiling to switch the focus between the two layouts.

When focused on the floating layout, binds (like focus-column-right) will operate on the floating window.

Precise Positioning

You can precisely position a floating window with a command:

niri msg action move-floating-window -x 100 -y 200

This is useful for scripting or creating specific window layouts programmatically.