Stage 11 — Runtime Control

What it is. A control socket (IPC): query the compositor’s state and drive it from outside — scripts, status bars, one-off shell commands — without everything having to be a keybinding.

Why it matters. Keybindings cover interactive use; a socket covers everything else: a bar showing the active workspace, scripted window arrangements, toggling settings without editing the config and restarting. It’s also the natural place for a 0xinctl-style command tool.

Deliverable (from KICKOFF.md): a shell script lists windows and switches workspaces without touching a keybinding.

Status

Partially implemented. Stage 20 introduces the first plain-text Unix control socket and bundled 0xinctl client for live wallpaper replacement. A later addition adds 0xinctl workspaces, a read-only query returning each output’s current workspace and every workspace’s occupied/empty state — the “querying” half of the original deliverable, intended for status bars such as Patin’s. Switching workspaces from outside the compositor, broader state subscriptions, and config reload remain open.