Xfce Forum

albert67

Member

Registered: 2025-06-08

Posts: 4

Can't move a windows to a different Workspace at start up

When I start the grafical enviroment I would like to open some windows in different workspace. But modify the xstartup file does not seems to work.

this is my xstartup file:

#!/bin/bash
xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startxfce4 &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 180x24+60+650  -e 'dmesg --time-format=iso -w' &
wmctrl -r :ACTIVE: -t 3 &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/ -e 'wmctrl -r :ACTIVE: -t 3' &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/ &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/ &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/

I tryed to use wmctrl after the windows is created or as a command within the window itself but it does not seems to work.

Is there a way to acheve this ?
I am running Debian 12.
Regards
Albert

ToZ

Administrator

From: Canada

Registered: 2011-06-02

Posts: 12,016

Re: Can't move a windows to a different Workspace at start up

What is this xstartup file you are using? Are you connecting over vnc perhaps? How are you logging into Xfce?

Have a look at devilspie or devilspie2 for a solution that automates window movement/placement.

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albert67

Member

Registered: 2025-06-08

Posts: 4

Re: Can't move a windows to a different Workspace at start up

yes that is the xstartup file I am using. and yes I connect via vnc.
I will look at devilspie , I need to call in the xstartup too. I guess ?

Thanks
Albert

gogogadget

Member

From: EU

Registered: 2023-03-19

Posts: 36

Re: Can't move a windows to a different Workspace at start up

I tryed to use wmctrl after the windows is created or as a command within the window itself but it does not seems to work.

Why don't you switch to the desktop first, then launch the application ?

wmctrl -s 0
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 180x24+60+650  -e 'dmesg --time-format=iso -w' &

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Xfce+gtk3-classic (no CSD)+Picom

albert67

Member

Registered: 2025-06-08

Posts: 4

Re: Can't move a windows to a different Workspace at start up

I tryed to use wmctrl after the windows is created or as a command within the window itself but it does not seems to work.

Why don't you switch to the desktop first, then launch the application ?

wmctrl -s 0
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 180x24+60+650  -e 'dmesg --time-format=iso -w' &

Thanks for the suggestion
I try with the following xstartup:

#!/bin/bash
xrdb $HOME/.Xresources
startxfce4 &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/ &
wmctrl -s 1 &
xfce4-terminal  --geometry 80x28+1060+70  --default-working-directory=/mnt/DiskPools/

But still I get the two windows on the first Workspace
:-(