[Solved] How do I make so that Thunar always starts at fixed coordinates on the desktop?

[APSchmidt]

Well, the question is entirely in the title. I would be happy if I could do that without using Compiz or any other fancy manager of the same kind.

Thank you.

[twerq]

Hi APSchmidt

I would be happy if I could do that without using Compiz or any other fancy manager of the same kind

AFAIK thunar itself unable to set position for its window.
You may control applications gui with wmctrl
Also there are xdotool, which some folks prefer more.

Or consider switch to nemo. Then you'll be able to position window by executing nemo --geometry ...

Whatever option you choose, add it to ~/.local/share/applications/Thunar.desktop

[APSchmidt]

AFAIK thunar itself unable to set position for its window.
You may control applications gui with wmctrl
Also there are xdotool, which some folks prefer more. Or consider switch to nemo. Then you'll be able to position window by executing nemo --geometry ... Whatever option you choose, add it to ~/.local/share/applications/Thunar.desktop

Thank you for your answer.

Isn't there a file manager for Xfce that just remembers its last position and automatically starts at that position when started?

[twerq]

Isn't there a file manager for Xfce that just remembers its last position

Session Manager able to remember gui last position. Check Xfce4-session if it suits you. This is default session manager for Xfce.

[dm999]

I'm not aware of a way to select an exact screen position but this method always opens Thunar in the centre of the screen -

Settings Manager > Window Manager Tweaks > Placement > move the slider to Large

[APSchmidt]

Session Manager able to remember gui last position. Check Xfce4-session if it suits you. This is default session manager for Xfce.

I'm already using it. I remember trying it in Tricia but it never started Thunar where the windows were, even after saving the current session.

I just tried it again and it works!!! Thank you for nudging me into trying it again.

[APSchmidt]

I'm not aware of a way to select an exact screen position but this method always opens Thunar in the centre of the screen - Settings Manager > Window Manager Tweaks > Placement > move the slider to Large

Thanks for your suggestion. I use it already so that Firefox and Thunderbird (and many others) start centred on screen.

[APSchmidt]

Session Manager able to remember gui last position. Check Xfce4-session if it suits you. This is default session manager for Xfce.

I'm already using it. I remember trying it in Tricia but it never started Thunar where the windows were, even after saving the current session. I just tried it again and it works!!! Thank you for nudging me into trying it again.

So, I was using this and it worked well, until something happened that made me reconsider: viewtopic.php?f=57&t=325389

I'm back to not saving the current session and starting Thunar on login. That would be great if I could use a script setting the start position of each Thunar window though.

[twerq]

That would be great if I could use a script setting the start position of each Thunar window though.

You should check viewtopic.php?p=1846201#p1846201. Get familiar with one of suggested options. Then just arrange your solution as script and add it to "Startup Applications" list.

[APSchmidt]

You should check viewtopic.php?p=1846201#p1846201. Get familiar with one of suggested options. Then just arrange your solution as script and add it to "Startup Applications" list.

I'm unable to do that.

Edit: I would have tried Devilspie but it's broken: https://www.mail-archive.com/ubuntu-bug ... 04443.html

[twerq]

I'm unable to do that.

Ok. Here is the example of how one can manipulate the application window.
I will try to help if some of the futher steps are not clear for you.

[APSchmidt]

Ok. Here is the example of how one can manipulate the application window.
I will try to help if some of the futher steps are not clear for you.

Thank you!

I can use the following commands after booting but I have no idea how to make them into a script, especially since Devilspie doesn't work. Basically, I need to store the windows IDs into variables and use these variables in the second command. It's very basic scripting but how do I do that?

Code: Select all

xdotool search --name "anne - gestionnaire de fichiers"
xdotool windowmove windowID 5 5 && xdotool windowmove windowID 5 5

[twerq]

You almost have got solution. Great!

Basically, I need to store the windows IDs into variables and use these variables in the second command

Fortunately xdotool can chain its actions. And

Code: Select all

xdotool search --name "anne - gestionnaire de fichiers" windowmove 5 5 windowsize 5 5

will get windowID with name you set, then move it to x=5, y=5 and resize to 5x5. In one xdotool call!

Just check if it work for you as expected. Then modify xfce startup applications.

[APSchmidt]

Fortunately xdotool can chain its actions. And

Code: Select all

xdotool search --name "anne - gestionnaire de fichiers" windowmove 5 5 windowsize 5 5

will get windowID with name you set, then move it to x=5, y=5 and resize to 5x5. In one xdotool call!

Just check if it work for you as expected. Then modify xfce startup applications.

The command works, thanks! I added it in Session and Startup; I'll see if it works next time I reboot.

[APSchmidt]

I'll see if it works next time I reboot.

It doesn't work. I suspected so, I think the command fires before Thunar has opened a window on the desktop. I've modified the command into:

Code: Select all

sh -c  "sleep 5; xdotool search --name 'anne - gestionnaire de fichiers' windowmove 5 5 windowsize 620 310"

in the start launcher; I'll see tomorrow if it works or not.

[APSchmidt]

It doesn't work. I suspected so, I think the command fires before Thunar has opened a window on the desktop. I've modified the command into:

Code: Select all

sh -c  "sleep 5; xdotool search --name 'anne - gestionnaire de fichiers' windowmove 5 5 windowsize 620 310"

in the start launcher; I'll see tomorrow if it works or not.

I was right and now it works! For the other windows I could open, I use a launcher that contains the same command without the "sleep 5" part.

[twerq]

Great! You acted proactively and now your system is a little more convenient.

[APSchmidt]

Great! You acted proactively and now your system is a little more convenient.

Indeed it is. I can move to something else now. Thanks to you for your help anyway!

[twerq]

Thanks to you for your help anyway!

[APSchmidt]

Whatever option you choose, add it to ~/.local/share/applications/Thunar.desktop

There is no Thunar.desktop at that place.

I'm back to this because I got another answer about that in another thread I started. There was an easier way, easier than the one I've been using so far:

1) create a script containing:

Code: Select all

#!/bin/bash
thunar &&
sh -c  "xdotool search --name 'username - gestionnaire de fichiers' windowmove 5 5 windowsize 640 360"

and change its permissions if needed.

2) then change the default command for Thunar in the applications list (thunar %F) by the full path to the script In my case:

Code: Select all

/home/username/.local/bin/thunar-home-positionneur

Now, each time I launch Thunar it's positioned in the left corner of the screen at x = 5 and y = 5 and it's redimentioned if needed.