i3wm: How to move workspaces between monitors?

Question

In a multiple monitor set-up, is there a way to transfer entire workspaces (as opposed to single applications) to a different monitor?

score 53 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 10 '17 at 17:11

53

You can define a binding in your i3 config. Note: windows are called "containers", and monitors are called "outputs".

Here's what I use in my config:

# move focused workspace between monitors
bindsym $mod+Ctrl+greater move workspace to output right
bindsym $mod+Ctrl+less move workspace to output left

Strangely, I'd expect the $mod+Ctrl+greater to require me to hit Ctrl and Shift at the same time, since you need to press Shift to type < and >. However, pressing just mod, Ctrl, and , works, which is very nice.

Note, you can also set a keybinding to send things to a specific monitor by its name.

answered Oct 10 '17 at 17:11

crypdick

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is there a way to do this using the workspace name/number? Instead of the active workspace – Thayne Dec 14 '18 at 05:29
Good question. I don't know. – crypdick Dec 19 '18 at 14:39
It works perfectly. – TuralAsgar Nov 29 '22 at 09:23

score 15 · Answer 2 · edited Jun 18 '19 at 08:58

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The workspace can be explicitly specified by name like this, for values of workspace_name and output_name:

i3-msg '[workspace="workspace_name"]' move workspace to output output_index

Note that if you name your workspaces like 1:first, you use 1 not first.

edited Jun 18 '19 at 08:58

Raphael

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answered Jun 08 '19 at 19:54

kgilmer

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Handy for one-off moves – Reuben Oct 09 '20 at 02:39

score 3 · Answer 3 · answered Mar 28 '23 at 15:56

in 2021 they added something, you can now also use;

bindsym $mod+Ctrl+greater move workspace to output next

This has the advantage of being agnostic as to the position of the workspace - it just cycles through them, no matter if they are up or down or whatever.

i3wm: How to move workspaces between monitors?

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