i3_rewind

A simple Ruby script that restores windows and workspaces to their respective monitors when they are disconnected and reconnected.

Note: The "watch" mode only works per session. If you log out or power off your machine, the script will not automatically restore the latest state when you log back in.

Requirements

• Ruby
• i3 window manager
• xrandr (for monitor management)

Installation

1. Make the script executable:

chmod +x i3_rewind

2. Optionally:

sudo cp i3_rewind ~/./local/bin/

I3 Usage

Add to i3 config:

exec_always ~/.local/bin/i3_rewind -w &

My way of use

Create file at ~/.config/i3/i3_rewind_script.sh

#!/bin/bash

case "$I3_REWIND_TRANSITION" in
    to_multi_monitor)
        i3-msg mode "i3_rewind_multi_monitor"
        ;;
    to_primary_monitor)
        i3-msg mode "default"
        ;;
esac

Add to i3 config:

exec_always ~/.local/bin/i3_rewind -w -t ~/.config/i3/i3_rewind_script.sh &

Modes

The script will try to active the mode i3_rewind_multi_monitor.

Watch Mode (Auto-manage)

./i3_rewind --watch

Automatically saves and restores sessions when monitors are connected/disconnected.

Manual Usage

Save Current Session

./i3_rewind --save

Saves your current window layout and monitor configuration.

Restore Session

./i3_rewind --restore

Restores the previously saved session.

Help

./i3_rewind --help

Development

DEBUG=1 ./i3_rewind -w

How It Works

The script saves:

• Window positions and workspaces
• Monitor configurations and layouts
• Session data to ~/.config/i3/i3_rewind.json

Perfect for laptop users who frequently connect/disconnect external monitors!