From b67cbfbc0acb51ae36548ed6b34e96676eac3851 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 01:11:51 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 01/25] fix(edbbd2f): missing `{`

---
 cfg/ragnar.cfg | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index 822a84c..d7a9182 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -550,6 +550,7 @@ keybinds = (
     key = "KeyC";
     do = "reloadconfigfile";
   },
+  {
     key = "KeyAudioLowerVolume";
     do  = "runcmd";
     cmd = "wpctl set-volume -l 1.0 @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 5%-";

From 142a6553a2265322d35ea9e4b6bfc3de1bdc763e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 01:55:12 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 02/25] feat(core): add optional `bg_color` keys

* build: add `make check` to `Makefile` and `PKGBUILD`
---
 Makefile           |  9 +++++++++
 PKGBUILD           |  9 +++++++++
 cfg/config_check.c | 21 +++++++++++++++++++++
 cfg/ragnar.cfg     |  4 ++++
 src/config.c       |  8 ++++++++
 src/funcs.h        |  6 ++++++
 src/ragnar.c       | 45 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 src/structs.h      |  9 +++++++++
 8 files changed, 111 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 cfg/config_check.c

diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index 974bc2c..c66d402 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -40,6 +40,15 @@ install:
 	install -Dm644 ragnar.desktop -t $(DESTDIR)$(PREFIX)/share/xsessions
 	install -Dm644 cfg/ragnar.cfg -t $(DESTDIR)$(SYSCONFDIR)/ragnarwm
 
+# the shipped cfg is the only fallback a fresh install has: readconfig
+# terminates when neither the user nor the global path parses, so a syntax
+# error here means a fresh install cannot start at all.
+.PHONY: check
+check:
+	mkdir -p ./bin
+	$(CC) -o bin/config_check $(ALL_CFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) cfg/config_check.c -lconfig
+	./bin/config_check cfg/ragnar.cfg
+
 .PHONY: clean
 clean:
 	$(RM) bin/*
diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index 7a120e3..8cf085d 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -29,11 +29,13 @@ optdepends=(
   'picom: for proper vsync/fix tearing'
   'alacritty: default terminal keybind'
   'polybar: optional status/desktops bars'
+  'feh: optional wallpapers'
   'ttf-dejavu: fonts for both the above'
   'wireplumber: default volume keybinds'
   'brightnessctl: default brightness keybinds'
   'playerctl: default media player keybinds'
 )
+
 provides=('ragnarwm')
 options=('!debug')
 backup=('etc/ragnarwm/ragnar.cfg')
@@ -43,6 +45,7 @@ install="${pkgname}.install"
 source=("${_pkgname}::git+${url}.git#branch=${_branch}")
 sha256sums=('SKIP')
 
+# TODO add a release flow that bumps on gh automatically
 pkgver() {
   cd $_pkgname || exit 1
   echo $pkgver
@@ -53,6 +56,12 @@ build() {
   make
 }
 
+# check the shipped config is not borken
+check() {
+  cd $_pkgname || exit 1
+  make check
+}
+
 package() {
   cd $_pkgname || exit 1
   # single source of truth: same install target ./install.sh drives.
diff --git a/cfg/config_check.c b/cfg/config_check.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..71f895e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cfg/config_check.c
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+#include <libconfig.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+
+int main(int argc, char** argv) {
+  if(argc != 2) {
+    fprintf(stderr, "usage: %s <config file>\n", argv[0]);
+    return 2;
+  }
+
+  config_t cfg;
+  config_init(&cfg);
+  if(config_read_file(&cfg, argv[1])) {
+    config_destroy(&cfg);
+    printf("sample config is valid.");
+    return 0;
+  }
+
+  fprintf(stderr, "%s:%d: %s\n", argv[1], config_error_line(&cfg), config_error_text(&cfg));
+  config_destroy(&cfg);
+  return 1;
+}
diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index d7a9182..434c1ce 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -208,6 +208,10 @@ max_struts = 8;
 # Specifies the cursor image to use for the root window
 cursor_image = "arrow";
 
+# Specifies the colour the root window is painted with.
+# Optional: when unset does nothing. (Let ex: `feh` take-over)
+# bg_color = 0x1A1A1A;
+
 # Logging (log file is ~/.ragnarwm.log)
 
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index 69387e3..916a3ef 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -677,6 +677,11 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
 
   success = cfgreadstr(s, (const char**)&data->cursorimage, "cursor_image");
 
+  // optional, unset means the root window is left alone
+  int32_t bgcolor = 0;
+  data->bgcolor_set = (bool)config_lookup_int(&cfghndl, "bg_color", &bgcolor);
+  data->bgcolor = (uint32_t)bgcolor;
+
   // optional, the session's layout is used when unset
   data->kblayout = NULL;
   const char* kblayout = NULL;
@@ -717,6 +722,9 @@ reloadconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   // Load the default root cursor image
   loaddefaultcursor(s);
 
+  // Repaint the root background, the image or colour may have changed
+  setbackground(s);
+
   // Grab the window manager's keybinds
   grabkeybinds(s);
 
diff --git a/src/funcs.h b/src/funcs.h
index 27bb178..c4cb3b6 100644
--- a/src/funcs.h
+++ b/src/funcs.h
@@ -531,6 +531,12 @@ void             applykblayout(state_t* s);
  * */
 void             loaddefaultcursor(state_t* s);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Paints the root window with the configured background colour.
+ * Does nothing when 'bg_color' is unset.
+ * */
+void             setbackground(state_t* s);
+
 void             setcursorhidden(state_t* s, bool hidden);
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index 1f32ab8..4dead7c 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -181,6 +181,9 @@ setup(state_t* s) {
   // Load the default root cursor image
   loaddefaultcursor(s);
 
+  // Paint the root background before any window is mapped over it
+  setbackground(s);
+
   // Apply the configured keyboard layout before resolving keybinds
   applykblayout(s);
 
@@ -2367,6 +2370,48 @@ loaddefaultcursor(state_t* s) {
   setcursorhidden(s, true);
 }
 
+/**
+ * @brief Paints the root window with the configured background colour.
+ * Does nothing when 'bg_color' is unset, leaving the root window to
+ * whatever external wallpaper setter the user runs.
+ * */
+void
+setbackground(state_t* s) {
+  if(!s->config.bgcolor_set) return;
+
+  uint16_t w = s->screen->width_in_pixels, h = s->screen->height_in_pixels;
+
+  // a pixmap rather than just XCB_CW_BACK_PIXEL: compositors read the root
+  // pixmap off _XROOTPMAP_ID to blend and blur against, and a background
+  // pixel leaves them nothing to point at.
+  xcb_pixmap_t pm = xcb_generate_id(s->con);
+  xcb_create_pixmap(s->con, s->screen->root_depth, pm, s->root, w, h);
+
+  xcb_gcontext_t gc = xcb_generate_id(s->con);
+  xcb_create_gc(s->con, gc, pm, XCB_GC_FOREGROUND, &s->config.bgcolor);
+  xcb_rectangle_t rect = { 0, 0, w, h };
+  xcb_poly_fill_rectangle(s->con, pm, gc, 1, &rect);
+  xcb_free_gc(s->con, gc);
+
+  xcb_change_window_attributes(s->con, s->root, XCB_CW_BACK_PIXMAP, &pm);
+  xcb_clear_area(s->con, 0, s->root, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+  // both names, different tools historically picked one or the other
+  xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, s->root,
+                      getatom(s, "_XROOTPMAP_ID"), XCB_ATOM_PIXMAP, 32, 1, &pm);
+  xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, s->root,
+                      getatom(s, "ESETROOT_PMAP_ID"), XCB_ATOM_PIXMAP, 32, 1, &pm);
+  xcb_flush(s->con);
+
+  // the root stops referencing the old pixmap only once it points at the new
+  // one, so the free happens here and not before. close down mode is left
+  // alone on purpose: RetainPermanent is per connection, it would outlive
+  // ragnar with every frame window it owns and not just this pixmap.
+  if(s->bgpixmap) {
+    xcb_free_pixmap(s->con, s->bgpixmap);
+  }
+  s->bgpixmap = pm;
+}
+
 /**
  * @brief Hides or shows the cursor (no-op without XFixes). The cursor
  * starts hidden and appears on the first real pointer motion.
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 2cdcc97..fd0673d 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -496,6 +496,11 @@ typedef struct {
 
   // optional startup keyboard layout, setxkbmap syntax ("be nodeadkeys")
   char* kblayout;
+
+  // optional root window background colour. when unset the root is left
+  // alone so an external setter (xwallpaper, feh) keeps working.
+  uint32_t bgcolor;
+  bool     bgcolor_set;
 } config_data_t;
 
 typedef struct {
@@ -531,6 +536,10 @@ struct state_t {
   bool xfixes_ok;
   bool cursorhidden;
 
+  // root background pixmap ragnar owns, freed when it paints the next one.
+  // 0 when it has never painted one.
+  xcb_pixmap_t bgpixmap;
+
   client_t* focus;
   popup_list_t popups;
 

From c3eb151f6bfa44815e6b21843c409c07e377b7f7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 02:12:51 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 03/25] fix(reload): + show working example in docs

---
 PKGBUILD     |  2 +-
 README.md    |  1 +
 src/ragnar.c | 26 +++++++++++++++++++++++---
 3 files changed, 25 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-)

diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index 8cf085d..fa9ecf9 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ optdepends=(
   'picom: for proper vsync/fix tearing'
   'alacritty: default terminal keybind'
   'polybar: optional status/desktops bars'
-  'feh: optional wallpapers'
+  'feh: optional set wallpaper for X displays'
   'ttf-dejavu: fonts for both the above'
   'wireplumber: default volume keybinds'
   'brightnessctl: default brightness keybinds'
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 95d877c..e5dde7f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@ The configuration is loaded on startup and can be reloaded while the window mana
 Example contents of `.xinitrc`:
 
 ```console
+feh --bg-fill ~/Downloads/nerd.jpg &
 picom -b; polybar &
 exec ragnar
 ```
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index 4dead7c..c6d42e1 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -2372,12 +2372,32 @@ loaddefaultcursor(state_t* s) {
 
 /**
  * @brief Paints the root window with the configured background colour.
- * Does nothing when 'bg_color' is unset, leaving the root window to
- * whatever external wallpaper setter the user runs.
+ * Does nothing when 'bg_color' is unset and ragnar never painted, leaving
+ * the root window to whatever external wallpaper setter the user runs.
+ * Drops back to black when the key is removed across a reload.
  * */
 void
 setbackground(state_t* s) {
-  if(!s->config.bgcolor_set) return;
+  if(!s->config.bgcolor_set) {
+    // an unset key on a root ragnar never painted means an external setter
+    // owns it, so leave it alone. one it did paint has to be handed back,
+    // and black is what an untouched root shows.
+    if(!s->bgpixmap) return;
+
+    uint32_t black = 0x000000;
+    xcb_change_window_attributes(s->con, s->root, XCB_CW_BACK_PIXEL, &black);
+    xcb_clear_area(s->con, 0, s->root, 0, 0, 0, 0);
+    // drop these before the pixmap goes, a compositor still holding the id
+    // would otherwise be pointed at freed storage
+    xcb_delete_property(s->con, s->root, getatom(s, "_XROOTPMAP_ID"));
+    xcb_delete_property(s->con, s->root, getatom(s, "ESETROOT_PMAP_ID"));
+    xcb_flush(s->con);
+
+    xcb_free_pixmap(s->con, s->bgpixmap);
+    s->bgpixmap = 0;
+    xcb_flush(s->con);
+    return;
+  }
 
   uint16_t w = s->screen->width_in_pixels, h = s->screen->height_in_pixels;
 

From 57ca7068bb0546e6c58f24486b275a9e32956d99 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 02:21:36 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 04/25] chore(cfg): clean-up dead left-over stray keys from
 bace32d

---
 cfg/ragnar.cfg | 22 ----------------------
 1 file changed, 22 deletions(-)

diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index 434c1ce..54bc7bc 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -120,28 +120,6 @@ num_desktops = 9;
 # in order.
 desktop_names = ["1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9"];
 
-# Specifies whether or not server-side window
-# decorations should be enabled.
-use_decoration = false;
-# Specifies whether or not server-side titlebars
-# should be shown on startup. (Ignored when
-# use_decoration is set to false.)
-show_titlebars_init = false;
-
-# Specifies the height (in pixels) of the
-# titlebar of client windows.
-titlebar_height = 30
-# Specifies the color of titlebars of
-# client windows
-titlebar_color = 0xffffff;
-
-# Specifies the color of the font that is used
-# across the window manager's UI
-font_color = 0xff0000ff;
-# Specifies the path to the font file to use as
-# the window manager's font
-font_path = "/usr/share/fonts/TTF/JetBrainsMonoNerdFont-Bold.ttf";
-
 # Specifies the area that the master window takes
 # up in master-slave layouts initially.
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)

From 2dfba1e589f81ee159548cc616bd58281040fbb7 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 02:28:35 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 05/25] chore(build): add missing `dmenu` to opt

---
 PKGBUILD | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index fa9ecf9..d2f3b79 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ depends=(
 makedepends=('git' 'make' 'gcc')
 optdepends=(
   'picom: for proper vsync/fix tearing'
+  'dmenu: default launcher'
   'alacritty: default terminal keybind'
   'polybar: optional status/desktops bars'
   'feh: optional set wallpaper for X displays'

From 009b639b868b6de2d7415a94a48feb4f6aed30be Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 02:35:23 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 06/25] Add hint in readme for hot-reload

---
 README.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e5dde7f..3e9d8a5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ Ragnar uses `libconfig` to load an external configuration file:
 ~/.config/ragnarwm/ragnar.cfg
 ```
 
-The configuration is loaded on startup and can be reloaded while the window manager is running, typically through a keybinding.
+The configuration is loaded on startup and can be reloaded while the window manager is running, typically through a keybinding (Super+C).
 
 Example contents of `.xinitrc`:
 

From 8711e813614b89f89f9d7ec4254f54e7db558ecd Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 02:39:10 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 07/25] correct usage

---
 README.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 3e9d8a5..a2ee472 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ The configuration is loaded on startup and can be reloaded while the window mana
 Example contents of `.xinitrc`:
 
 ```console
-feh --bg-fill ~/Downloads/nerd.jpg &
+feh --bg-fill ~/Downloads/nerd.jpg;
 picom -b; polybar &
 exec ragnar
 ```

From ce2e85484d6a9665a05dee6ce717e33d8ddf1a7b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 10:07:13 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 08/25] chore(cfg): remove one more dead key

* add numbering to cfg keys
* ignore src/ragnar/

Signed-off-by: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
---
 .gitignore     |  1 +
 PKGBUILD       |  4 ++--
 cfg/ragnar.cfg | 47 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++--
 src/config.c   | 10 +---------
 src/ragnar.c   |  7 -------
 src/structs.h  |  2 --
 6 files changed, 49 insertions(+), 22 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index 01de4a4..fe6cae4 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 bin/
 pkg/
 /ragnar/
+src/ragnar/
 **.tar.zst
 .gdb.log
 compile_commands.json
diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index d2f3b79..57d990a 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ pkgver='2'
 pkgrel=1
 pkgdesc="Minimal, flexible & user-friendly X tiling window manager"
 arch=('x86_64')
-url="https://github.com/cococry/ragnar"
-#url="https://github.com/h8d13/ragnar"
+#url="https://github.com/cococry/ragnar"
+url="https://github.com/h8d13/ragnar"
 _branch="main"
 license=('GPL')
 groups=()
diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index 54bc7bc..d8c2f3c 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@
 #   - setfloatingmode
 #   - updatebarslayout
 #   - cycledownlayout
+#   - cycleuplayout
 #   - addmasterlayout
 #   - removemasterlayout
 #   - incmasterarealayout
@@ -73,98 +74,131 @@
 #   - cyclefocusmonitordown
 #   - cyclefocusmonitorup
 #   - togglescratchpad
+#   - reloadconfigfile
 #
 # ----------------------
 # NOTE: For all key options, see the functions at:
 # https://github.com/cococry/ragnar/blob/main/src/structs.h#L17
+# The same list is the dispatch table 'keycbmappings' in src/config.c; a
+# name that is in one and not the other is a bind that silently does
+# nothing.
 # ----------------------
 #
+# cfg -> src resolution
+# ----------------------
+# Every key below carries an (N) marker naming the config_data_t field
+# (src/structs.h) it lands in. N is the order readconfig() (src/config.c)
+# reads the key, not the order it appears here, so the numbers run out of
+# sequence going down the file.
+# ----------------------
 
 # Specifies the width of the border around client
 # windows
+# (4)
 win_border_width = 2;
 # Specifies the color of the border around client
 # windows
+# (5)
 win_border_color = 0x3B3B3B;
 # Specifies the color of the border around
 # selected/focused client windows
+# (6)
 win_border_color_selected = 0xE6DFDC;
 
 # Specifies the main modifier key that is
 # used to execute window manager shortcuts
+# (7)
 mod_key = "Super";
 # Specifies the modifier key that is used
 # to interact with clients windows
+# (8)
 win_mod = "Super";
 
 # Specfies the mouse button that needs to be
 # held in order to move client windows
+# (9)
 move_button = "LeftMouse";
 # Specfies the mouse button that needs to be
 # held in order to resize client windows
+# (10)
 resize_button = "RightMouse";
 
 # Specifies the keyboard layout that is applied
 # on startup (setxkbmap syntax, e.g "be" or
 # "be nodeadkeys"). Uses the session's layout
 # when unset.
+# (27)
 # keyboard_layout = "us";
 
 # Specifies the desktop index that is initially
 # selected on every monitor
+# (11)
 initial_desktop = 0;
 # Specfies the number of allocated virtual
 # desktops
+# (2)
 num_desktops = 9;
 # Specifies the name of every virtual desktop
 # in order.
+# (12)
 desktop_names = ["1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9"];
 
 # Specifies the area that the master window takes
 # up in master-slave layouts initially.
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
+# (13)
 layout_master_area = 0.5;
 # Specifies the minimum area that master windows
 # need to take up in master-slave layouts
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
+# (14)
 layout_master_area_min = 0.1;
 # Specifies the maximum a2rea that master windows
 # can take up in master-slave layouts
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
+# (15)
 layout_master_area_max = 0.9;
 # Specifies the amount that the master area changes/steps
 # when it is decreased/increased.
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
+# (16)
 layout_master_area_step = 0.1;
 
 # Specifies the amount that areas of windows
 # within layouts change when they are increased/decreased
 # (in px)
+# (17)
 layout_size_step = 100.0;
 # Specifies the minimum area that windows within
 # layouts need to take up
 # (in px)
+# (18)
 layout_size_min = 150.0;
 
 # Specifies the amount that windows are moved
 # by when using 'move' shortcuts for floating windows
 # (in px)
+# (19)
 key_win_move_step = 100.0;
 
 # Specifies the initial gap between windows
 # within layouts (in px)
+# (20)
 win_layout_gap = 5;
 # Specifies the maximum gap that windows within
 # layouts can have around each other (in px)
+# (21)
 win_layout_gap_max = 150;
 # Specifies the amount that the gap between
 # non-floating windows changes when it's
 # decreased/increased (in px)
 # (in px)
+# (22)
 win_layout_gap_step = 5;
 
 # Specifies the layout that is initially used
 # for every virtual desktop
+# (23)
 initial_layout = "LayoutTiledMaster";
 
 # Advanced Configuration
@@ -175,39 +209,48 @@ initial_layout = "LayoutTiledMaster";
 # performance. Especially on high polling rate mouses,
 # lag can be very noticable when not throtteling motion
 # notify events.
+# (24)
 motion_notify_debounce_fps = 60;
 
 # Specifies the maximum number of 'strut'-window that
 # the window manager can capture. Struts are information
 # about window positions and sizes that are used to correctly
 # establish window layouts with bars or other status windows.
+# (1)
 max_struts = 8;
 
 # Specifies the cursor image to use for the root window
+# (25)
 cursor_image = "arrow";
 
 # Specifies the colour the root window is painted with.
 # Optional: when unset does nothing. (Let ex: `feh` take-over)
+# (26)
 # bg_color = 0x1A1A1A;
 
-# Logging (log file is ~/.ragnarwm.log)
-
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the console
+# (28)
 log_messages = true;
 
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the log file
+# (29)
+# builds it as $HOME/.ragnarwm.log
 should_log_to_file = true;
 
 # Specifies the maximum number of scratchpads
 # that can be allocated
+# (3)
 max_scratchpads = 10;
 
 # --------------------------------
 
 # =========== Key bindings ===========
 
+# (30)
+# four sub-keys per entry: mod (optional), key, do, and then cmd / i as the
+# passthrough payload. Any other sub-key here is ignored silently.
 keybinds = (
   {
     mod = "Super";
diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index 916a3ef..65673b6 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -654,8 +654,6 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   data->desktopnames = cfgevalstrarr(s, "desktop_names");
   success = data->desktopnames != NULL;
 
-  success = cfgreadbool(s, &data->usedecoration, "use_decoration");
-
   success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea, "layout_master_area");
   success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_min, "layout_master_area_min");
   success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_max, "layout_master_area_max");
@@ -714,8 +712,6 @@ void
 reloadconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   destroyconfig();
 
-  bool using_decoration = s->config.usedecoration;
-
   initconfig(s);
   readconfig(s, data);
 
@@ -728,11 +724,7 @@ reloadconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   // Grab the window manager's keybinds
   grabkeybinds(s);
 
-  if(!using_decoration) {
-    s->config.usedecoration = false;
-  }
-
-  // Reload struts 
+  // Reload struts
   s->nwinstruts = 0;
   getwinstruts(s, s->root);
 
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index c6d42e1..fa9a314 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -3429,13 +3429,6 @@ evpropertynotify(state_t* s, xcb_generic_event_t* ev) {
     if(prop_ev->atom == s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowType]) {
       setwintype(s, cl);
     }
-    if(s->config.usedecoration) {
-      if(prop_ev->atom == s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHname]) {
-        if(cl->name)
-          free(cl->name);
-        cl->name = getclientname(s, cl);
-      }
-    }
   }
   xcb_flush(s->con);
 }
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index fd0673d..8081bc2 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -465,8 +465,6 @@ typedef struct {
 
   char** desktopnames;
 
-  bool usedecoration;
-
   double layoutmasterarea;
   double layoutmasterarea_min;
   double layoutmasterarea_max;

From 2367be922b1bd0d6d2d0e0fc65a2c90dbe65146c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Sun, 2 Aug 2026 10:16:36 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 09/25] chore(build): add `make package` verb for Arch builds

Signed-off-by: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
---
 Makefile | 9 +++++++++
 PKGBUILD | 4 ++--
 2 files changed, 11 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index c66d402..d6a9a90 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -49,6 +49,15 @@ check:
 	$(CC) -o bin/config_check $(ALL_CFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) cfg/config_check.c -lconfig
 	./bin/config_check cfg/ragnar.cfg
 
+# makepkg's $srcdir defaults to ./src, which collides with this project's
+# own src/. build out of tree so the clone never lands in the worktree.
+BUILDDIR ?= /tmp/makepkg
+SRCDEST  ?= $(HOME)/.cache/makepkg/sources
+
+.PHONY: package
+package:
+	BUILDDIR=$(BUILDDIR) SRCDEST=$(SRCDEST) makepkg -f
+
 .PHONY: clean
 clean:
 	$(RM) bin/*
diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index 57d990a..d2f3b79 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ pkgver='2'
 pkgrel=1
 pkgdesc="Minimal, flexible & user-friendly X tiling window manager"
 arch=('x86_64')
-#url="https://github.com/cococry/ragnar"
-url="https://github.com/h8d13/ragnar"
+url="https://github.com/cococry/ragnar"
+#url="https://github.com/h8d13/ragnar"
 _branch="main"
 license=('GPL')
 groups=()

From 85078ae3f9943baeee8c0ea82a1d7e20f57cfaa0 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 00:37:09 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 10/25] chore(build): add `-xset` to opt depends

---
 PKGBUILD | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index d2f3b79..8d23b8f 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ optdepends=(
   'wireplumber: default volume keybinds'
   'brightnessctl: default brightness keybinds'
   'playerctl: default media player keybinds'
+  'xorg-xset: for screenblanking idle/DPMS'
 )
 
 provides=('ragnarwm')

From 2f5b07592a2e6112c0bf5cf07f95b307c6b11b19 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 00:39:39 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 11/25] add example to docs, never go idle

---
 README.md | 1 +
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a2ee472..8d23f15 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ Example contents of `.xinitrc`:
 ```console
 feh --bg-fill ~/Downloads/nerd.jpg;
 picom -b; polybar &
+xset s off -dpms
 exec ragnar
 ```
 

From 4f9a9271f00acfd6bf93952e6c71ab18c9ff65ce Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 00:49:16 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 12/25] correct usage

---
 README.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 8d23f15..0e2b70c 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -85,8 +85,8 @@ Example contents of `.xinitrc`:
 
 ```console
 feh --bg-fill ~/Downloads/nerd.jpg;
+xset s off -dpms;
 picom -b; polybar &
-xset s off -dpms
 exec ragnar
 ```
 

From cba1b055010fd6a21cd37d1dbd9f6f5565ebb18b Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 02:44:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 13/25] chore(build): correct `picom` description

---
 PKGBUILD | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/PKGBUILD b/PKGBUILD
index 8d23b8f..d1e3960 100644
--- a/PKGBUILD
+++ b/PKGBUILD
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ depends=(
 )
 makedepends=('git' 'make' 'gcc')
 optdepends=(
-  'picom: for proper vsync/fix tearing'
+  'picom: additional compositor features'
   'dmenu: default launcher'
   'alacritty: default terminal keybind'
   'polybar: optional status/desktops bars'

From 1b1b497e84dbc82a8d0290fa8c4112baa71a9a6f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 02:45:12 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 14/25] chore(docs): add hint to close

---
 README.md | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 0e2b70c..e22385f 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ picom -b; polybar &
 exec ragnar
 ```
 
-Then simply; `startx`
+Then simply; `startx` (and `pkill xinit` to stop it.)
 
 > By default it uses `alacritty` (Super+Return) and `dmenu` (Super+S), if you haven't edited these yet.
 > Both of these need fonts file; for instance `ttf-dejavu`

From b824bab0c644bb6b424fc25e48fa1ff1ab373caf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 11:46:22 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 15/25] fix(ewmh): set _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW on root, publish
 WM_STATE

* _NET_ACTIVE_WINDOW was written to the client window instead of the
  root, so it read as absent to panels and pagers
* WM_STATE was interned and read but never set; reparenting WMs must
  publish it (ICCCM 4.1.3.1) or DND target lookup stops at the frame
* getstate: read the full 32-bit CARDINAL, not its first byte
---
 src/funcs.h  |  9 +++++++++
 src/ragnar.c | 39 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++---
 2 files changed, 45 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/funcs.h b/src/funcs.h
index c4cb3b6..d40f20e 100644
--- a/src/funcs.h
+++ b/src/funcs.h
@@ -283,6 +283,15 @@ void             frameclient(state_t* s, client_t* cl);
  */
 void             unframeclient(state_t* s, client_t* cl);
 
+/**
+ * @brief Sets the ICCCM WM_STATE property on a client's window.
+ *
+ * @param s The window manager's state
+ * @param cl The client to set the state on
+ * @param state One of XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_{WITHDRAWN,NORMAL,ICONIC}
+ */
+void             setwmstate(state_t* s, client_t* cl, uint32_t state);
+
 /**
  * @brief Removes the focus from client's window by setting the 
  * X input focus to the root window and unsetting the highlight color 
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index fa9a314..beae140 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -311,11 +311,35 @@ getstate(state_t* s, xcb_window_t w)
         return -1;
     }
     
-    result = *((unsigned char *) xcb_get_property_value(prop_reply));
+    result = *((uint32_t *) xcb_get_property_value(prop_reply));
     free(prop_reply);
     return result;
 }
 
+/**
+ * @brief Sets the ICCCM WM_STATE property on a client's window.
+ *
+ * Mandatory for reparenting window managers (ICCCM 4.1.3.1): WM_STATE is
+ * what marks a window as a real client toplevel rather than a WM frame.
+ * Drag-and-drop target lookup, pagers and xprop/xwininfo all walk down
+ * from the root looking for it, and stop at the frame when it is absent.
+ *
+ * @param s The window manager's state
+ * @param cl The client to set the state on
+ * @param state One of XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_{WITHDRAWN,NORMAL,ICONIC}
+ */
+void
+setwmstate(state_t* s, client_t* cl, uint32_t state) {
+  if(!cl) {
+    return;
+  }
+  // WM_STATE is [state, icon window]; ragnar provides no icon window.
+  // uint32_t, not long: xcb writes the raw bytes with no 64->32 conversion.
+  uint32_t data[2] = { state, XCB_NONE };
+  xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, cl->win, s->wm_atoms[WMstate],
+      s->wm_atoms[WMstate], 32, 2, data);
+}
+
 
 bool wait_for_mapped(state_t* s, xcb_window_t win) {
     for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {  // Try up to 10 times
@@ -1117,8 +1141,9 @@ setxfocus(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
   // Set input focus to client
   xcb_set_input_focus(s->con, XCB_INPUT_FOCUS_POINTER_ROOT, cl->win, XCB_CURRENT_TIME);
 
-  // Set active window hint
-  xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, cl->win, s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHactiveWindow],
+  // Set active window hint. EWMH puts this on the root window, not on the
+  // client; unfocusclient() already deletes it from the root.
+  xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, s->root, s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHactiveWindow],
       XCB_ATOM_WINDOW, 32, 1, &cl->win);
 
   // Raise take-focus event on the client
@@ -1253,6 +1278,7 @@ void
 hideclient(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
   cl->ignoreunmap = true;
   cl->hidden = true;
+  setwmstate(s, cl, XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_ICONIC);
   xcb_unmap_window(s->con, cl->frame);
 }
 
@@ -1265,6 +1291,7 @@ hideclient(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
 void
 showclient(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
   cl->hidden = false;
+  setwmstate(s, cl, XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_NORMAL);
   xcb_map_window(s->con, cl->frame);
 }
 
@@ -2870,6 +2897,9 @@ evunmapnotify(state_t* s, xcb_generic_event_t* ev) {
     if(cl->is_scratchpad) {
       removescratchpad(s, cl->scratchpad_index);
     }
+    // Window is going away but still exists here, so withdraw it properly.
+    // Not done on DestroyNotify: the window is already gone by then.
+    setwmstate(s, cl, XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_WITHDRAWN);
     unframeclient(s, cl);
   } else {
     xcb_unmap_window(s->con, unmap_ev->window);
@@ -3528,6 +3558,9 @@ addclient(state_t* s, client_t** clients, xcb_window_t win) {
   // Create frame window for the client
   frameclient(s, cl);
 
+  // Publish WM_STATE now that the window is framed and managed
+  setwmstate(s, cl, XCB_ICCCM_WM_STATE_NORMAL);
+
   // Insert the new client at the beginning of the list
   cl->next = *clients;
   // Update the head of the list to the new client

From 6d0630016c2555e3991437bd9691b5e1f6b9c37d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 11:49:05 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 16/25] fix(core): clang-tidy warning use integer ms for motion
 throttle timestamps

---
 src/ragnar.c  | 6 +++++-
 src/structs.h | 4 +++-
 2 files changed, 8 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index beae140..a62520f 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -3172,7 +3172,11 @@ evmotionnotify(state_t* s, xcb_generic_event_t* ev) {
   // 0 disables the throttle rather than dividing by zero.
   uint32_t curtime = motion_ev->time;
   uint32_t fps = s->config.motion_notify_debounce_fps;
-  if (fps && (curtime - s->lastmotiontime) <= (1000 / fps)) {
+  // Unsigned subtraction is modular, so this stays correct across the
+  // ~49.7 day timestamp wrap. Multiply rather than divide by fps to keep
+  // the threshold exact; widen first so a large delta cannot overflow.
+  uint32_t delta = curtime - s->lastmotiontime;
+  if (fps && (uint64_t)delta * fps < 1000) {
     return;
   }
   s->lastmotiontime = curtime;
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 8081bc2..9b91ff7 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -518,7 +518,9 @@ struct state_t {
   xcb_window_t root;
   xcb_screen_t* screen; 
 
-  float lastexposetime, lastmotiontime;
+  // X server timestamps: milliseconds, wrapping. Must stay uint32_t;
+  // a float only holds consecutive ms up to ~4.7h of server uptime.
+  uint32_t lastexposetime, lastmotiontime;
 
   // modifier bit num lock lives on, looked up at grab time. keybinds are
   // grabbed with and without it, and it is masked out when matching.

From 1b76a76f41e7761538f17ae21cf91cde894ed825 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 12:05:07 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 17/25] fix(desktops): wrap cycledesktopdown to the last slot

mirror logic from super O/P:
* from desktop 0, prev jumped to ninit-1 (desktop 1 with two
  initialized), so prev moved forward
* bound on maxdesktops like cycledesktopup does; desktops initialize
  lazily so an empty slot is a valid destination
---
 src/keycallbacks.h | 12 ++++--------
 1 file changed, 4 insertions(+), 8 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/keycallbacks.h b/src/keycallbacks.h
index 8db43d6..9d004fd 100644
--- a/src/keycallbacks.h
+++ b/src/keycallbacks.h
@@ -147,14 +147,10 @@ inline void cycledesktopdown(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
   if(newdesktop - 1 >= 0) {
     newdesktop--;
   } else {
-    uint32_t ninit = 0;
-    for(uint32_t i = 0; i < s->monfocus->desktopcount; i++) {
-      if(!s->monfocus->activedesktops[i].init) continue;
-      ninit++;
-    }
-    newdesktop = ninit - 1;
-
-
+    // Wrap to the last slot, mirroring cycledesktopup's wrap to 0.
+    // Bound on maxdesktops, not on the initialized count: desktops are
+    // initialized lazily, so an empty slot is a valid destination.
+    newdesktop = (int32_t)s->config.maxdesktops - 1;
   }
   switchdesktop(s, (passthrough_data_t){.i = newdesktop});
 }

From 35b7ee39b044ddb97afc5dfd34d36fcb4d1193be Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 12:08:56 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 18/25] explicit cast

---
 src/keycallbacks.h | 2 +-
 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/src/keycallbacks.h b/src/keycallbacks.h
index 9d004fd..036e5c5 100644
--- a/src/keycallbacks.h
+++ b/src/keycallbacks.h
@@ -188,7 +188,7 @@ inline void cyclefocusdesktopdown(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
   if(new_desktop - 1 >= 0) {
     new_desktop--;
   } else {
-    new_desktop = s->config.maxdesktops - 1;
+    new_desktop = (int32_t)s->config.maxdesktops - 1;
   }
   switchclientdesktop(s, s->focus, new_desktop);
 }

From 19e8d52bf2ee858083700f6bc9087b17d05f711c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 12:15:52 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 19/25] fix(keycallbacks): make header self-contained, narrow
 explicitly

* add stdio.h/stdlib.h; perror and EXIT_* resolved only because
  ragnar.c happened to include them before this header
* cast the movefocus
* results to float at the v2_t boundary;
  keywinmove_step is double since libconfig reads floats as double
---
 src/keycallbacks.h | 16 ++++++++++------
 1 file changed, 10 insertions(+), 6 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/keycallbacks.h b/src/keycallbacks.h
index 036e5c5..68391ec 100644
--- a/src/keycallbacks.h
+++ b/src/keycallbacks.h
@@ -3,6 +3,8 @@
 #include "funcs.h"
 #include "structs.h"
 
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
 #include <sys/wait.h>
 #include <time.h>
@@ -695,8 +697,10 @@ inline void movefocusup(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
   if(!s->focus || !s->focus->floating) return;
 
   v2_t pos = s->focus->area.pos;
+  // keywinmove_step is a double (libconfig reads floats as double), so
+  // narrow explicitly at the v2_t boundary rather than implicitly
   v2_t dest = (v2_t){pos.x,
-    MIN(MAX(pos.y - s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.y), 
+    (float)MIN(MAX(pos.y - s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.y),
         s->monfocus->area.pos.y + s->monfocus->area.size.y
         - s->focus->area.size.y)};
   moveclient(s, s->focus, dest, true);
@@ -716,8 +720,8 @@ inline void movefocusdown(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
 
   v2_t pos = s->focus->area.pos;
   v2_t dest = (v2_t){pos.x,
-    MIN(MAX(pos.y + s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.y), 
-        s->monfocus->area.pos.y + s->monfocus->area.size.y 
+    (float)MIN(MAX(pos.y + s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.y),
+        s->monfocus->area.pos.y + s->monfocus->area.size.y
         - s->focus->area.size.y)};
   moveclient(s, s->focus, dest, true);
   ignoreenterlayout(s);
@@ -735,8 +739,8 @@ inline void movefocusleft(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
   if(!s->focus || !s->focus->floating) return;
 
   v2_t pos = s->focus->area.pos;
-  v2_t dest = (v2_t){MIN(MAX(pos.x - s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.x), 
-      s->monfocus->area.pos.x + s->monfocus->area.size.x 
+  v2_t dest = (v2_t){(float)MIN(MAX(pos.x - s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.x),
+      s->monfocus->area.pos.x + s->monfocus->area.size.x
       - s->focus->area.size.x), pos.y};
   moveclient(s, s->focus, dest, true);
   ignoreenterlayout(s);
@@ -754,7 +758,7 @@ inline void movefocusright(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data) {
   if(!s->focus || !s->focus->floating) return;
 
   v2_t pos = s->focus->area.pos;
-  v2_t dest = (v2_t){MIN(MAX(pos.x + s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.x),
+  v2_t dest = (v2_t){(float)MIN(MAX(pos.x + s->config.keywinmove_step, s->monfocus->area.pos.x),
       s->monfocus->area.pos.x + s->monfocus->area.size.x
       - s->focus->area.size.x), pos.y};
   moveclient(s, s->focus, dest, true);

From 41c5335549c95ec74bd406fa3546b4843e76b07f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 12:59:28 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 20/25] fix(log): popen leak and fork-per-line + default to off
 for release fix(client): name/edges leaks in releaseclient, calloc, NULL
 guards fix(ipc): per-display socket path XDG instead of /tmp chore(build):
 debug ASAN targets fix(core): remaining null/UB hardening from the analyzer
 pass

---
 .gitignore               |  5 +--
 Makefile                 | 20 +++++++++--
 api/api.c                |  4 +--
 api/include/ragnar/api.h | 30 ++++++++++++++++
 cfg/ragnar.cfg           |  4 +--
 src/config.c             | 63 ++++++++++++++++++--------------
 src/funcs.h              |  6 +++-
 src/ipc/sockets.c        | 19 ++++++----
 src/ragnar.c             | 78 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++-------
 src/structs.h            |  6 +++-
 10 files changed, 178 insertions(+), 57 deletions(-)

diff --git a/.gitignore b/.gitignore
index fe6cae4..e6efd45 100644
--- a/.gitignore
+++ b/.gitignore
@@ -1,13 +1,14 @@
 *.o
 *.a
 *.patch
+*.data
+.*.md
+**.tar.zst
 .cache/
 bin/
 pkg/
 /ragnar/
 src/ragnar/
-**.tar.zst
 .gdb.log
 compile_commands.json
 compile_flags.txt
-.*.md
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index d6a9a90..8dfd710 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -4,7 +4,13 @@ CC = cc
 # bought nothing and -ffinite-math-only would let divisions by a zero-sized
 # monitor fold away instead of showing up.
 CFLAGS ?= -O2
-ALL_CFLAGS = $(CFLAGS) $(CPPFLAGS) -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -isystem api/include
+WARN_CFLAGS = -Wall -Wextra -pedantic -isystem api/include
+ALL_CFLAGS = $(CFLAGS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(WARN_CFLAGS)
+
+# -O1 : for readable ASAN traces. Separate from CFLAGS because that is ?=
+# and a distro build must not pick these up.
+DEBUG_CFLAGS = -O1 -g -fno-omit-frame-pointer -fsanitize=address,undefined
+ALL_DEBUG_CFLAGS = $(DEBUG_CFLAGS) $(CPPFLAGS) $(WARN_CFLAGS)
 
 LDLIBS = -lxcb -lxcb-keysyms -lxcb-icccm -lxcb-cursor -lxcb-randr -lxcb-xfixes -lX11 -lX11-xcb -lconfig
 
@@ -20,6 +26,16 @@ all:
 	mkdir -p ./bin
 	$(CC) -o bin/$(BIN) $(ALL_CFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(SRC) $(LDLIBS)
 
+# ASan + UBSan + LSan build, overwrites bin/ragnar. LSan only reports on a
+# normal exit, so quit ragnar through its own keybind: a SIGKILL prints
+# nothing. .PHONY matters here, the ./debug Xephyr script shares the name
+# and make would otherwise call the target up to date.
+#   make debug && ./debug
+.PHONY: debug
+debug:
+	mkdir -p ./bin
+	$(CC) -o bin/$(BIN) $(ALL_DEBUG_CFLAGS) $(LDFLAGS) $(SRC) $(LDLIBS)
+
 # client-side IPC library. the WM links none of it, only the headers under
 # api/include are needed to build. opt-in, for writing external clients.
 .PHONY: api
@@ -37,7 +53,6 @@ install-api:
 .PHONY: install
 install:
 	install -Dm755 bin/$(BIN) -t $(DESTDIR)$(BINDIR)
-	install -Dm644 ragnar.desktop -t $(DESTDIR)$(PREFIX)/share/xsessions
 	install -Dm644 cfg/ragnar.cfg -t $(DESTDIR)$(SYSCONFDIR)/ragnarwm
 
 # the shipped cfg is the only fallback a fresh install has: readconfig
@@ -65,5 +80,4 @@ clean:
 .PHONY: uninstall
 uninstall:
 	$(RM) $(DESTDIR)$(BINDIR)/$(BIN)
-	$(RM) $(DESTDIR)$(PREFIX)/share/xsessions/ragnar.desktop
 	$(RM) -r $(DESTDIR)$(SYSCONFDIR)/ragnarwm
diff --git a/api/api.c b/api/api.c
index f8865c9..d39d3eb 100644
--- a/api/api.c
+++ b/api/api.c
@@ -106,10 +106,10 @@ clientinit(socket_client_t* cl) {
 
   memset(&cl->addr, 0, sizeof(struct sockaddr_un));
   cl->addr.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
-  strncpy(cl->addr.sun_path, SOCKPATH, sizeof(cl->addr.sun_path) - 1);
+  rg_socket_path(cl->addr.sun_path, sizeof(cl->addr.sun_path));
 
   if(s_logging) {
-    printf("ragnar api: created unix domain socket on: '%s'\n", SOCKPATH);
+    printf("ragnar api: created unix domain socket on: '%s'\n", cl->addr.sun_path);
   }
   return 0;
 }
diff --git a/api/include/ragnar/api.h b/api/include/ragnar/api.h
index 8fd0f50..8e666f5 100644
--- a/api/include/ragnar/api.h
+++ b/api/include/ragnar/api.h
@@ -2,6 +2,36 @@
 
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
+#include <stdio.h>
+#include <stdlib.h>
+
+/*
+ * IPC socket path, computed rather than fixed. XDG_RUNTIME_DIR scopes it
+ * per user and DISPLAY per X server: one hardcoded path meant a second
+ * instance (a nested Xephyr session, a second seat) unlinked the running
+ * WM's socket out from under it at startup
+ *
+ * static inline in the public header on purpose. The WM links none of
+ * api.c and only includes these headers, so this is the single place both
+ * sides can share the path and not drift apart
+ */
+static inline void
+rg_socket_path(char* buf, size_t len) {
+  const char* dir = getenv("XDG_RUNTIME_DIR");
+  if(!dir) {
+    dir = "/tmp";
+  }
+  const char* display = getenv("DISPLAY");
+  if(!display) {
+    display = ":0";
+  }
+  // DISPLAY is ":1" or ":0.0"; drop the leading colon so the result reads
+  // as ragnar-1.socket rather than ragnar-:1.socket
+  if(*display == ':') {
+    display++;
+  }
+  snprintf(buf, len, "%s/ragnar-%s.socket", dir, display);
+}
 
 typedef int32_t RgWindow;
 
diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index d8c2f3c..1d447c7 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -231,13 +231,13 @@ cursor_image = "arrow";
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the console
 # (28)
-log_messages = true;
+log_messages = false;
 
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the log file
 # (29)
 # builds it as $HOME/.ragnarwm.log
-should_log_to_file = true;
+should_log_to_file = false;
 
 # Specifies the maximum number of scratchpads
 # that can be allocated
diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index 65673b6..f41d639 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -635,45 +635,45 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
 
   bool success = false;
 
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxstruts, "max_struts");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxdesktops, "num_desktops");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxscratchpads, "max_scratchpads");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxstruts, "max_struts");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxdesktops, "num_desktops");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxscratchpads, "max_scratchpads");
 
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winborderwidth, "win_border_width");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winbordercolor, "win_border_color");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winbordercolor_selected, "win_border_color_selected");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winborderwidth, "win_border_width");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winbordercolor, "win_border_color");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winbordercolor_selected, "win_border_color_selected");
 
-  success = cfgevalkbmod(s, &data->modkey, "mod_key"); 
-  success = cfgevalkbmod(s, &data->winmod, "win_mod"); 
+  cfgevalkbmod(s, &data->modkey, "mod_key"); 
+  cfgevalkbmod(s, &data->winmod, "win_mod"); 
 
-  success = cfgevalmousebtn(s, &data->movebtn, "move_button");
-  success = cfgevalmousebtn(s, &data->resizebtn, "resize_button");
+  cfgevalmousebtn(s, &data->movebtn, "move_button");
+  cfgevalmousebtn(s, &data->resizebtn, "resize_button");
 
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->desktopinit, "initial_desktop");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->desktopinit, "initial_desktop");
 
   data->desktopnames = cfgevalstrarr(s, "desktop_names");
   success = data->desktopnames != NULL;
 
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea, "layout_master_area");
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_min, "layout_master_area_min");
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_max, "layout_master_area_max");
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_step, "layout_master_area_step");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea, "layout_master_area");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_min, "layout_master_area_min");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_max, "layout_master_area_max");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_step, "layout_master_area_step");
 
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutsize_step, "layout_size_step");
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutsize_min, "layout_size_min");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutsize_step, "layout_size_step");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutsize_min, "layout_size_min");
 
-  success = cfgreadfloat(s, &data->keywinmove_step, "key_win_move_step");
+  cfgreadfloat(s, &data->keywinmove_step, "key_win_move_step");
 
 
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap, "win_layout_gap");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap_max, "win_layout_gap_max");
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap_step, "win_layout_gap_step");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap, "win_layout_gap");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap_max, "win_layout_gap_max");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->winlayoutgap_step, "win_layout_gap_step");
 
   data->initlayout = cfgevallayouttype(s, "initial_layout");
 
-  success = cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->motion_notify_debounce_fps, "motion_notify_debounce_fps");
+  cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->motion_notify_debounce_fps, "motion_notify_debounce_fps");
 
-  success = cfgreadstr(s, (const char**)&data->cursorimage, "cursor_image");
+  cfgreadstr(s, (const char**)&data->cursorimage, "cursor_image");
 
   // optional, unset means the root window is left alone
   int32_t bgcolor = 0;
@@ -687,14 +687,23 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
     data->kblayout = strdup(kblayout);
   }
 
+  // HOME is unset under su and some service managers, and strlen(NULL)
+  // segfaults before any of the logging guards get a chance to run
   const char* home = getenv("HOME");
+  if(!home) {
+    home = "/tmp";
+  }
   const char* relpath = "/.ragnarwm.log";
-  char* logpath = malloc(strlen(home) + strlen(relpath) + 2);
-  sprintf(logpath, "%s%s", home, relpath);
+  size_t logpathlen = strlen(home) + strlen(relpath) + 1;
+  char* logpath = malloc(logpathlen);
+  if(logpath) {
+    snprintf(logpath, logpathlen, "%s%s", home, relpath);
+  }
+  // NULL on allocation failure; every use site checks before opening
   data->logfile = logpath;
 
-  success = cfgreadbool(s, &data->logmessages, "log_messages");
-  success = cfgreadbool(s, &data->shouldlogtofile, "should_log_to_file");
+  cfgreadbool(s, &data->logmessages, "log_messages");
+  cfgreadbool(s, &data->shouldlogtofile, "should_log_to_file");
 
 
   data->keybinds = cfgevalkeybinds(s, (uint32_t*)&data->numkeybinds, "keybinds");
diff --git a/src/funcs.h b/src/funcs.h
index d40f20e..097297d 100644
--- a/src/funcs.h
+++ b/src/funcs.h
@@ -43,8 +43,12 @@ void             loop(state_t* s);
  * This function terminates the window manager by
  * giving up the connection to the X server and
  * exiting the program.
+ *
+ * _Noreturn because it always ends in exit(). Without it every caller
+ * looks like it can fall through, which the analyzer reports as use of
+ * values the error path already ruled out
  */
-void             terminate(state_t* s, int32_t exitcode);
+_Noreturn void   terminate(state_t* s, int32_t exitcode);
 
 /**
  * @brief Manages all windows that are avaiable on the 
diff --git a/src/ipc/sockets.c b/src/ipc/sockets.c
index b640316..25858ed 100644
--- a/src/ipc/sockets.c
+++ b/src/ipc/sockets.c
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "../config.h"
 #include <ragnar/api.h>
 
-#define SOCKPATH "/tmp/ragnar_socket"
 #define MSGSIZE 256
 
 #include "sockets.h"
@@ -118,7 +117,10 @@ cmdgetwins(state_t* s, const uint8_t* data, int32_t clientfd) {
       numwins++;
     }
   }
-  RgWindow wins[numwins];
+  // +1 so the array is never zero-length, which is undefined for a VLA.
+  // The write below sizes itself on numwins, so the spare slot is never
+  // sent and the wire format is unchanged
+  RgWindow wins[numwins + 1];
   uint32_t i = 0;
   for(monitor_t* mon = s->monitors; mon != NULL; mon = mon->next) {
     for(client_t* cl = mon->clients; cl != NULL; cl = cl->next) {
@@ -130,7 +132,7 @@ cmdgetwins(state_t* s, const uint8_t* data, int32_t clientfd) {
     logmsg(s, LogLevelError, 
            "ipc: RgCommandGetWindows: failed to send number of client windows.");
   }
-  if(write(clientfd, wins, sizeof(wins)) == -1) {
+  if(write(clientfd, wins, numwins * sizeof(*wins)) == -1) {
     logmsg(s, LogLevelError, 
            "ipc: RgCommandGetWindows: failed to send array of client windows.");
   }
@@ -321,13 +323,16 @@ ipcserverthread(void* arg) {
     terminate(s, EXIT_FAILURE);
   }
 
-  // Set up the address structure
+  // Set up the address structure. Written straight into sun_path: it is
+  // already zeroed and snprintf always terminates, so no strncpy dance
   memset(&addr, 0, sizeof(struct sockaddr_un));
   addr.sun_family = AF_UNIX;
-  strncpy(addr.sun_path, SOCKPATH, sizeof(addr.sun_path) - 1);
+  rg_socket_path(addr.sun_path, sizeof(addr.sun_path));
 
-  // Remove any existing socket file
-  unlink(SOCKPATH);
+  // Remove any existing socket file. Per display, so this only ever
+  // clears this server's own stale socket, never another instance's
+  unlink(addr.sun_path);
+  logmsg(s, LogLevelTrace, "ipc: binding socket at '%s'.", addr.sun_path);
 
   // Bind the socket
   if (bind(serverfd, (struct sockaddr*)&addr, sizeof(struct sockaddr_un)) < 0) {
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index a62520f..cbebc2e 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -113,7 +113,16 @@ setup(state_t* s) {
   initconfig(s);
   readconfig(s, &s->config);
 
-  fclose(fopen(s->config.logfile, "w"));
+  // Truncate the log for this run. The path can be unwritable or NULL,
+  // and fclose(NULL) is undefined rather than a no-op
+  if(s->config.logfile) {
+    FILE* logf = fopen(s->config.logfile, "w");
+    if(logf) {
+      fclose(logf);
+    } else {
+      perror("ragnar: error truncating log file.");
+    }
+  }
 
   s->lastexposetime = 0;
   s->lastmotiontime = 0;
@@ -260,7 +269,7 @@ loop(state_t* s) {
  * diss->conecting the s->conection to the X server and
  * exiting the program.
  */
-void 
+_Noreturn void
 terminate(state_t* s, int32_t exitcode) {
   // Release every client
   for(monitor_t* mon = s->monitors; mon != NULL; mon = mon->next) {
@@ -416,7 +425,9 @@ void managewins(state_t* s) {
       s->nwinstruts = 0;
       getwinstruts(s, s->root);
 
-      if(!cl->floating) {
+      // makeclient returns NULL when the window vanishes mid-scan or its
+      // geometry cannot be read
+      if(cl && !cl->floating) {
         addtolayout(s, cl);
       }
     }
@@ -506,6 +517,11 @@ toggleedgewindows(state_t* s, client_t* cl, bool toggle) {
 }
 void 
 createwindowedges(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
+  // addclient bails when the calloc fails, so this holds; keep the guard
+  // so the loop below can never walk a null array
+  if(!cl->edges) {
+    return;
+  }
   xcb_window_t parent = cl->win;
   uint32_t mask = XCB_CW_EVENT_MASK;
   uint32_t val = XCB_EVENT_MASK_ENTER_WINDOW |
@@ -591,7 +607,14 @@ makeclient(state_t* s, xcb_window_t win) {
   {
     bool success;
     cl->area = winarea(s, cl->frame, &success);
-    if(!success) return NULL;
+    if(!success) {
+      // addclient already linked cl into the monitor list, so bailing out
+      // here has to unlink it too; otherwise the list keeps a client with
+      // no valid geometry that every layout pass then walks over
+      unframeclient(s, cl);
+      releaseclient(s, cl->win);
+      return NULL;
+    }
   }
 
   cl->area.size = applysizehints(s, cl, cl->area.size);
@@ -2006,6 +2029,11 @@ swapclients(state_t* s, client_t* c1, client_t* c2) {
  */
 void
 uploaddesktopnames(state_t* s, monitor_t* mon) {
+  // monfocus is NULL before the first cursormon() and on a monitorless
+  // setup, and every caller passes it straight through
+  if(!mon) {
+    return;
+  }
   // Calculate the total length of the property value
   size_t total_length = 0;
   for (uint32_t i = 0; i < mon->desktopcount; i++) {
@@ -2013,8 +2041,13 @@ uploaddesktopnames(state_t* s, monitor_t* mon) {
     total_length += strlen(mon->activedesktops[i].name) + 1; // +1 for the null byte
   }
 
-  // Allocate memory for the data
+  // Allocate memory for the data. total_length is 0 when no desktop is
+  // initialized yet, and malloc(0) may legally hand back NULL
   char* data = malloc(total_length);
+  if(total_length && !data) {
+    logmsg(s, LogLevelError, "failed to allocate desktop name buffer.");
+    return;
+  }
 
   // Concatenate the desktop names into the data buffer
   char* ptr = data;
@@ -3538,7 +3571,10 @@ evfocusin(state_t* s, xcb_generic_event_t* ev) {
 client_t*
 addclient(state_t* s, client_t** clients, xcb_window_t win) {
   // Allocate client structure
-  client_t* cl = (client_t*)malloc(sizeof(*cl));
+  // calloc, not malloc: addclient reads some fields (frame, decorated,
+  // floating) before every field has been assigned, and garbage there
+  // decides real branches
+  client_t* cl = (client_t*)calloc(1, sizeof(*cl));
   cl->win = win;
   cl->edges = NULL;
 
@@ -3570,8 +3606,15 @@ addclient(state_t* s, client_t** clients, xcb_window_t win) {
   // Update the head of the list to the new client
   *clients = cl;
 
-  edgegrab_t* edges = calloc(9, sizeof(edgegrab_t));
-  cl->edges = edges;  // Add this pointer to your client_t struct
+  // 9 so the window_edge_t values index directly, EdgeNone at 0 unused.
+  // createwindowedges walks this unconditionally, so a failed allocation
+  // is a null deref rather than a degraded client
+  cl->edges = calloc(9, sizeof(edgegrab_t));
+  if(!cl->edges) {
+    logmsg(s, LogLevelError, "failed to allocate edge grabs for client.");
+    releaseclient(s, cl->win);
+    return NULL;
+  }
 
   logmsg(s,  LogLevelTrace, "Added client ('%s') to the linked list of clients.", 
          cl->name ? cl->name : "No name");
@@ -3636,7 +3679,11 @@ releaseclient(state_t* s, xcb_window_t win) {
         if(wasfocus) {
           s->focus = NULL;
         }
-        // Freeing memory allocated for client
+        // Freeing memory allocated for client. name is strndup'd by
+        // getclientname and edges is the calloc'd array of 9 grab
+        // handles; both die with the client or they leak per window
+        free(cl->name);
+        free(cl->edges);
         free(cl);
         // Released client held focus; hand it to the first client
         // (master slot) still on the visible desktop
@@ -4153,7 +4200,7 @@ void logmsg(state_t* s, log_level_t lvl, const char* fmt, ...) {
  * @param fmt The format string
  * @param args The variadic arguments list */
 void logtofile(log_level_t lvl, state_t* s, const char* fmt, va_list args) {
-  if (!s->config.shouldlogtofile) return;
+  if (!s->config.shouldlogtofile || !s->config.logfile) return;
 
   FILE *file = fopen(s->config.logfile, "a");
 
@@ -4163,8 +4210,15 @@ void logtofile(log_level_t lvl, state_t* s, const char* fmt, va_list args) {
     return;
   }
 
-  // Write the date to the file
-  char* date = cmdoutput("date +\"%d.%m.%y %H:%M:%S\"");
+  // Write the date to the file. strftime, not popen("date"): logmsg runs
+  // in the event path of a SCHED_RR process, so a fork+exec of a shell per
+  // log line is both a leak (the buffer was never freed) and orders of
+  // magnitude slower than formatting it here
+  char date[32];
+  time_t now = time(NULL);
+  struct tm tm;
+  localtime_r(&now, &tm);
+  strftime(date, sizeof(date), "%d.%m.%y %H:%M:%S", &tm);
   fprintf(file, "%s | ", date);
 
   switch(lvl) {
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 9b91ff7..73ea247 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -66,9 +66,13 @@ void reloadconfigfile(state_t* s, passthrough_data_t data);
 
 #define VEC_INIT_CAP 4
 
+/* No allocation here on purpose: cap 0 makes the first vector_append call
+ * realloc(NULL, ...), which is malloc. The previous malloc sized itself
+ * with sizeof(*(vec)), the list struct rather than the element type, and
+ * cap = 0 discarded the block on first append regardless */
 #define vector_init(vec)                                                          \
 do {                                                                              \
-  (vec)->items = malloc(sizeof(*(vec)) * VEC_INIT_CAP);                           \
+  (vec)->items = NULL;                                                            \
   (vec)->size = 0;                                                                \
   (vec)->cap = 0;                                                                 \
 } while (0)

From b44caf48ca25cd4a36101328aa1e81c8038e0eff Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 13:13:41 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 21/25] chore(clean): remove mentions of cmdoutput now that we
 use strftime

---
 src/funcs.h    |  7 -------
 src/ragnar.c   | 47 -----------------------------------------------
 src/realtime.c |  5 ++---
 3 files changed, 2 insertions(+), 57 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/funcs.h b/src/funcs.h
index 097297d..0a7b809 100644
--- a/src/funcs.h
+++ b/src/funcs.h
@@ -977,11 +977,4 @@ void             logmsg(state_t* s, log_level_t lvl, const char* fmt, ...);
 void 		         logtofile(log_level_t lvl, state_t* s, const char* fmt, va_list args); 
 
 
-/**
- * @brief Returns the output of a given command 
- *
- * @param cmd The command to get the output of 
- *
- * @return The output of the given command */ 
-char* 		       cmdoutput(const char* cmd);
 
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index cbebc2e..85b3fcf 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -4244,53 +4244,6 @@ void logtofile(log_level_t lvl, state_t* s, const char* fmt, va_list args) {
   fclose(file);
 }
 
-/**
- * @brief Returns the output of a given command 
- *
- * @param cmd The command to get the output of 
- *
- * @return The output of the given command */ 
-char* 
-cmdoutput(const char* cmd) {
-  FILE *fp;
-  char buffer[512];
-  char *result = NULL;
-  size_t result_len = 0;
-
-  // Open a pipe to the command
-  fp = popen(cmd, "r");
-  if (fp == NULL) {
-    perror("popen");
-    return NULL;
-  }
-
-  // Read the command's output
-  while (fgets(buffer, sizeof(buffer), fp) != NULL) {
-    size_t buffer_len = strlen(buffer);
-    char *new_result = realloc(result, result_len + buffer_len + 1);
-    if (new_result == NULL) {
-      perror("realloc");
-      free(result);
-      pclose(fp);
-      return NULL;
-    }
-    result = new_result;
-    memcpy(result + result_len, buffer, buffer_len);
-    result_len += buffer_len;
-    result[result_len] = '\0'; 
-  }
-
-  // Close the pipe
-  if (pclose(fp) == -1) {
-    perror("pclose");
-    free(result);
-    return NULL;
-  }
-
-  return result;
-}
-
-
 int
 main(void) {
   state_t* wm_state = calloc(1, sizeof(state_t));
diff --git a/src/realtime.c b/src/realtime.c
index 1c5f69a..8a916af 100644
--- a/src/realtime.c
+++ b/src/realtime.c
@@ -25,9 +25,8 @@
  * puts every child back on SCHED_OTHER at nice 0 across fork, so the
  * terminals and browsers started by runcmd keybinds never inherit
  * real-time priority. sway does the same containment with a
- * pthread_atfork handler, which would not cover the popen() in
- * cmdoutput(): glibc implements popen with posix_spawn, and posix_spawn
- * does not run atfork handlers. The kernel flag covers both paths.
+ * pthread_atfork handler; the kernel flag needs no handler and holds
+ * across exec.
  *
  * pid 0 is the calling thread, so the IPC thread started in setup()
  * stays on SCHED_OTHER.

From 66e029634219aa7adff4fa66f5d0403130819751 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 13:16:11 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 22/25] chore(clean): nuke .desktop file, not intended flow.

---
 ragnar.desktop | 7 -------
 1 file changed, 7 deletions(-)
 delete mode 100644 ragnar.desktop

diff --git a/ragnar.desktop b/ragnar.desktop
deleted file mode 100644
index c2e9d46..0000000
--- a/ragnar.desktop
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-[Desktop Entry]
-Encoding=UTF-8
-Name=Ragnar
-Comment=Ragnar Window Manager
-Exec=ragnar
-Icon=ragnar
-Type=XSession

From dfc64de0f281b5babaa49f6bf7dd97c9fe69f0fb Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 13:23:11 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 23/25] fix(cache)

---
 src/config.c  |  7 ++++++-
 src/ragnar.c  | 20 ++++++++++++--------
 src/structs.h |  7 ++++++-
 3 files changed, 24 insertions(+), 10 deletions(-)

diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index f41d639..9c0c78e 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -651,8 +651,13 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
 
   cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->desktopinit, "initial_desktop");
 
+  // Fatal rather than dead: every desktop lookup indexes this array
+  // unguarded, so an unset desktop_names segfaults later instead of
+  // failing here where cfgevalstrarr has already logged why
   data->desktopnames = cfgevalstrarr(s, "desktop_names");
-  success = data->desktopnames != NULL;
+  if(!data->desktopnames) {
+    terminate(s, EXIT_FAILURE);
+  }
 
   cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea, "layout_master_area");
   cfgreadfloat(s, &data->layoutmasterarea_min, "layout_master_area_min");
diff --git a/src/ragnar.c b/src/ragnar.c
index 85b3fcf..c5c3402 100644
--- a/src/ragnar.c
+++ b/src/ragnar.c
@@ -566,8 +566,8 @@ makeclient(state_t* s, xcb_window_t win) {
   // Adding the mapped client to our linked list
   client_t* cl = addclient(s, &clmon->clients, win);
 
-  // Setting border 
-  xcb_atom_t motif_hints = getatom(s, "_MOTIF_WM_HINTS");
+  // Setting border
+  xcb_atom_t motif_hints = s->motifhints_atom;
   xcb_get_property_cookie_t prop_cookie = xcb_get_property(
     s->con, 0, cl->win, motif_hints, motif_hints, 0, 5
   );
@@ -1021,9 +1021,9 @@ clienthasdeleteatom(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
  */
 bool 
 clientshouldtile(state_t* s, client_t* cl) {
-  // Get atoms
-  xcb_atom_t wintype_atom = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE");
-  xcb_atom_t wintypenormal_atom = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_NORMAL");
+  // Get atoms, interned once in setupatoms
+  xcb_atom_t wintype_atom = s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowType];
+  xcb_atom_t wintypenormal_atom = s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowTypeNormal];
 
   // Get window property for type
   xcb_get_property_cookie_t cookie = xcb_get_property(s->con, 0, cl->win, wintype_atom, XCB_ATOM_ATOM, 0, 1);
@@ -2067,7 +2067,7 @@ uploaddesktopnames(state_t* s, monitor_t* mon) {
                       XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE,
                       root_window,
                       s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHdesktopNames],
-                      getatom(s, "UTF8_STRING"),
+                      s->utf8str_atom,
                       8,
                       total_length,
                       data);
@@ -2217,6 +2217,7 @@ setupatoms(state_t* s) {
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHcheck]             = getatom(s, "_NET_SUPPORTING_WM_CHECK");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHfullscreen]        = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_STATE_FULLSCREEN");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowType]        = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE");
+  s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowTypeNormal]  = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_NORMAL");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowTypeDialog]  = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_DIALOG");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowTypePopup]  = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_POPUP_MENU");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHwindowTypeDock]    = getatom(s, "_NET_WM_WINDOW_TYPE_DOCK");
@@ -2225,7 +2226,10 @@ setupatoms(state_t* s) {
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHnumberOfDesktops]  = getatom(s, "_NET_NUMBER_OF_DESKTOPS");
   s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHdesktopNames]      = getatom(s, "_NET_DESKTOP_NAMES");
 
-  xcb_atom_t utf8str = getatom(s, "UTF8_STRING");
+  // Interned here so the per-client and per-desktop-change paths do not
+  // pay an intern round-trip each time they need them
+  s->motifhints_atom = getatom(s, "_MOTIF_WM_HINTS");
+  s->utf8str_atom = getatom(s, "UTF8_STRING");
 
   xcb_window_t wmcheckwin = xcb_generate_id(s->con);
   xcb_create_window(s->con, XCB_COPY_FROM_PARENT, wmcheckwin, s->root, 
@@ -2238,7 +2242,7 @@ setupatoms(state_t* s) {
 
   // Set _NET_WM_NAME property on the wmcheckwin
   xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, wmcheckwin, s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHname],
-      utf8str, 8, strlen("ragnar"), "ragnar");
+      s->utf8str_atom, 8, strlen("ragnar"), "ragnar");
 
   // Set _NET_WM_CHECK property on the root window
   xcb_change_property(s->con, XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, s->root, s->ewmh_atoms[EWMHcheck],
diff --git a/src/structs.h b/src/structs.h
index 73ea247..f3e89a7 100644
--- a/src/structs.h
+++ b/src/structs.h
@@ -143,6 +143,7 @@ typedef enum {
   EWMHfullscreen, 
   EWMHactiveWindow, 
   EWMHwindowType,
+  EWMHwindowTypeNormal,
   EWMHwindowTypeDialog,
   EWMHwindowTypePopup,
   EWMHwindowTypeDock,
@@ -553,8 +554,12 @@ struct state_t {
   monitor_t* monitors;
   monitor_t* monfocus;
 
-  xcb_atom_t wm_atoms[WMcount]; 
+  xcb_atom_t wm_atoms[WMcount];
   xcb_atom_t ewmh_atoms[EWMHcount];
+  // Interned once in setupatoms like the arrays above, but kept out of
+  // ewmh_atoms: that whole array is published verbatim as _NET_SUPPORTED
+  // and neither of these is an EWMH hint ragnar supports
+  xcb_atom_t motifhints_atom, utf8str_atom;
 
   desktop_t* curdesktop;
 

From 5864872a5140b255ac0e53d73edc38196720e745 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 14:20:43 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 24/25] chore(cfg): simplify loading/logging + spacing in
 default

---
 cfg/ragnar.cfg | 52 ++++++++++++--------------------------------------
 src/config.c   | 18 +++++++++--------
 2 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 48 deletions(-)

diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index 1d447c7..9d2509e 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -79,126 +79,105 @@
 # ----------------------
 # NOTE: For all key options, see the functions at:
 # https://github.com/cococry/ragnar/blob/main/src/structs.h#L17
-# The same list is the dispatch table 'keycbmappings' in src/config.c; a
-# name that is in one and not the other is a bind that silently does
-# nothing.
-# ----------------------
-#
-# cfg -> src resolution
-# ----------------------
-# Every key below carries an (N) marker naming the config_data_t field
-# (src/structs.h) it lands in. N is the order readconfig() (src/config.c)
-# reads the key, not the order it appears here, so the numbers run out of
-# sequence going down the file.
 # ----------------------
 
 # Specifies the width of the border around client
 # windows
-# (4)
 win_border_width = 2;
+
 # Specifies the color of the border around client
 # windows
-# (5)
 win_border_color = 0x3B3B3B;
+
 # Specifies the color of the border around
 # selected/focused client windows
-# (6)
 win_border_color_selected = 0xE6DFDC;
 
 # Specifies the main modifier key that is
 # used to execute window manager shortcuts
-# (7)
 mod_key = "Super";
+
 # Specifies the modifier key that is used
 # to interact with clients windows
-# (8)
 win_mod = "Super";
 
 # Specfies the mouse button that needs to be
 # held in order to move client windows
-# (9)
 move_button = "LeftMouse";
+
 # Specfies the mouse button that needs to be
 # held in order to resize client windows
-# (10)
 resize_button = "RightMouse";
 
 # Specifies the keyboard layout that is applied
 # on startup (setxkbmap syntax, e.g "be" or
 # "be nodeadkeys"). Uses the session's layout
 # when unset.
-# (27)
 # keyboard_layout = "us";
 
 # Specifies the desktop index that is initially
 # selected on every monitor
-# (11)
 initial_desktop = 0;
+
 # Specfies the number of allocated virtual
 # desktops
-# (2)
 num_desktops = 9;
+
 # Specifies the name of every virtual desktop
 # in order.
-# (12)
 desktop_names = ["1", "2", "3", "4", "5", "6", "7", "8", "9"];
 
 # Specifies the area that the master window takes
 # up in master-slave layouts initially.
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
-# (13)
 layout_master_area = 0.5;
+
 # Specifies the minimum area that master windows
 # need to take up in master-slave layouts
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
-# (14)
 layout_master_area_min = 0.1;
+
 # Specifies the maximum a2rea that master windows
 # can take up in master-slave layouts
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
-# (15)
 layout_master_area_max = 0.9;
+
 # Specifies the amount that the master area changes/steps
 # when it is decreased/increased.
 # (in 0.0-1.0 %)
-# (16)
 layout_master_area_step = 0.1;
 
 # Specifies the amount that areas of windows
 # within layouts change when they are increased/decreased
 # (in px)
-# (17)
+
 layout_size_step = 100.0;
 # Specifies the minimum area that windows within
 # layouts need to take up
 # (in px)
-# (18)
 layout_size_min = 150.0;
 
 # Specifies the amount that windows are moved
 # by when using 'move' shortcuts for floating windows
 # (in px)
-# (19)
 key_win_move_step = 100.0;
 
 # Specifies the initial gap between windows
 # within layouts (in px)
-# (20)
 win_layout_gap = 5;
+
 # Specifies the maximum gap that windows within
 # layouts can have around each other (in px)
-# (21)
 win_layout_gap_max = 150;
+
 # Specifies the amount that the gap between
 # non-floating windows changes when it's
 # decreased/increased (in px)
 # (in px)
-# (22)
 win_layout_gap_step = 5;
 
 # Specifies the layout that is initially used
 # for every virtual desktop
-# (23)
 initial_layout = "LayoutTiledMaster";
 
 # Advanced Configuration
@@ -209,39 +188,32 @@ initial_layout = "LayoutTiledMaster";
 # performance. Especially on high polling rate mouses,
 # lag can be very noticable when not throtteling motion
 # notify events.
-# (24)
 motion_notify_debounce_fps = 60;
 
 # Specifies the maximum number of 'strut'-window that
 # the window manager can capture. Struts are information
 # about window positions and sizes that are used to correctly
 # establish window layouts with bars or other status windows.
-# (1)
 max_struts = 8;
 
 # Specifies the cursor image to use for the root window
-# (25)
 cursor_image = "arrow";
 
 # Specifies the colour the root window is painted with.
 # Optional: when unset does nothing. (Let ex: `feh` take-over)
-# (26)
 # bg_color = 0x1A1A1A;
 
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the console
-# (28)
 log_messages = false;
 
 # Specifies whether or not to log messages
 # to the log file
-# (29)
 # builds it as $HOME/.ragnarwm.log
 should_log_to_file = false;
 
 # Specifies the maximum number of scratchpads
 # that can be allocated
-# (3)
 max_scratchpads = 10;
 
 # --------------------------------
diff --git a/src/config.c b/src/config.c
index 9c0c78e..f4b54f6 100644
--- a/src/config.c
+++ b/src/config.c
@@ -633,7 +633,11 @@ void
 readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   if(!data) return;
 
-  bool success = false;
+  // First: logmsg drops everything while logmessages is false, so any
+  // key read before this point fails silently. logfile is still NULL
+  // here, which logtofile checks, so only the console gets these
+  cfgreadbool(s, &data->logmessages, "log_messages");
+  cfgreadbool(s, &data->shouldlogtofile, "should_log_to_file");
 
   cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxstruts, "max_struts");
   cfgreadint(s, (int32_t*)&data->maxdesktops, "num_desktops");
@@ -656,6 +660,9 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   // failing here where cfgevalstrarr has already logged why
   data->desktopnames = cfgevalstrarr(s, "desktop_names");
   if(!data->desktopnames) {
+    // straight to stderr, not logmsg: log_messages defaults to false, so
+    // a fatal config error would otherwise exit 1 with no reason given
+    fprintf(stderr, "ragnar: config: desktop_names is not set.\n");
     terminate(s, EXIT_FAILURE);
   }
 
@@ -707,15 +714,10 @@ readconfig(state_t* s, config_data_t* data) {
   // NULL on allocation failure; every use site checks before opening
   data->logfile = logpath;
 
-  cfgreadbool(s, &data->logmessages, "log_messages");
-  cfgreadbool(s, &data->shouldlogtofile, "should_log_to_file");
-
-
   data->keybinds = cfgevalkeybinds(s, (uint32_t*)&data->numkeybinds, "keybinds");
 
-  success = data->keybinds != NULL;
-
-  if(!success) {
+  if(!data->keybinds) {
+    fprintf(stderr, "ragnar: config: keybinds are not set.\n");
     terminate(s, EXIT_FAILURE);
   } else {
     printf("ragnar: successfully read config file.\n");

From 1ac0df51f0545a5497978724b7b780e9f9c36347 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: h8d13 <hadean-eon-dev@proton.me>
Date: Tue, 4 Aug 2026 14:21:58 +0200
Subject: [PATCH 25/25] rem

---
 cfg/ragnar.cfg | 1 -
 1 file changed, 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/cfg/ragnar.cfg b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
index 9d2509e..405c558 100644
--- a/cfg/ragnar.cfg
+++ b/cfg/ragnar.cfg
@@ -220,7 +220,6 @@ max_scratchpads = 10;
 
 # =========== Key bindings ===========
 
-# (30)
 # four sub-keys per entry: mod (optional), key, do, and then cmd / i as the
 # passthrough payload. Any other sub-key here is ignored silently.
 keybinds = (