Support layer shell

[MuntasirSZN]

Layer shell is a wayland protocol, gtk can be done via gtk4-layer-shell and qt via layer-shell-qt. Its like a window, without window decorations. Best for bars, launchers, widgets etc.

Layer shell qt as far as i know, not used by quickshell (a widely used application to draw widgets using qt). Quickshell uses its own implementation.

There can also be a winio layer shell implementation, see https://github.com/waycrate/exwlshelleventloop for iced related layer shell implementation.

Also https://github.com/pop-os/libcosmic as it uses layershell very much for its applets and others.

[Berrysoft]

If I get it correctly, it is an undecorated window that supports transparent background, right?

[MuntasirSZN]

Simply, yes. https://wayland.app/protocols/wlr-layer-shell-unstable-v1 has some more info about the protocol.

[Berrysoft]

OK. I'll investigate it when free. I would like to add that feature for all platforms.

[MuntasirSZN]

OK. I'll investigate it when free. I would like to add that feature for all platforms.

All? That would be nice, cross platform widgets. Though "layer shell" refers to wayland layer shell protocol specifically.

[Berrysoft]

It would be a little weird to support wayland only. At least Windows supports such windows. I think I'll do my best if I decide to work on that.

[MuntasirSZN]

It would be a little weird to support wayland only. At least Windows supports such windows. I think I'll do my best if I decide to work on that.

As far as I know, on windows, Win32 + DWM is needed. This is the approach for things like rainmeter. There is also AppBar API which is used by Windows taskbar and some docks. For mac, NSPanel and friends can be used (this approach by raycast). On wayland, there is much more freedom, whereas others are a bit restricted on what can be done.

[Berrysoft]

How about providing APIs for users to develop their own widgets? Actually I think that the current API should be enough, but documents might be missing a lot.

[MuntasirSZN]

How about providing APIs for users to develop their own widgets? Actually I think that the current API should be enough, but documents might be missing a lot.

Practically that should be ideal, because layer shell is for creating widgets for the user itself. APIs are needed, given they aren't traditional windows, they are desktop widgets. (just windows with minor differences like no decorations, placement etc) Documentation, well, is a bit lacking if I put others in the list.

[Berrysoft]

Sorry about the docs because I don't have time to complete that:(

I think I'll investigate the layer shell first.