https://faq.i3wm.org/questions/Frequently asked questions and answers about the i3 window managerenCopyright i3, 2012Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:02:13 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/5006/how-to-tell-i3-how-to-decorate-new_windows-via-i3-msg/In my config file I have the line:`new_window pixel`; However, I'm trying to write a script that changes the way windows are decorated. It changes all current windows with the command `i3-msg '[ class=".*" ] border normal'` but how do I tell i3 to decorate all new windows with border normal via i3-msg? Should I just write `while true ; do sleep 30 && i3-msg '[ class=".*" ] border normal' ; done`?Sun, 23 Nov 2014 21:52:20 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/5006/how-to-tell-i3-how-to-decorate-new_windows-via-i3-msg/https://faq.i3wm.org/question/5006/how-to-tell-i3-how-to-decorate-new_windows-via-i3-msg/?answer=5008#post-id-5008You cannot set the value for `new_window` (or `new_float`) with `i3-msg` because this is a configuration option and `i3-msg` can only run commands. In order to change the style for new windows it is best to change the settings in the configuration file and than reload the configuration. This could be done with a script. Something like this for example: #!/bin/bash I3_CONFIG="$HOME/.i3/config" # 1st argument is used for tiled windows, defaults to "normal 2" NEW_WINDOW="${1:-normal 2}" # 2nd argument is used for floating windows, defaults to the same as tiled NEW_FLOAT="${2:-$1}" # set configuration for tiled windows sed "s/^new_window .*/new_window $NEW_WINDOW/" -i "$I3_CONFIG" # set configuration for floating windows sed "s/^new_float .*/new_float $NEW_FLOAT/" -i "$I3_CONFIG" # reload i3 i3-msg reload *Note:* this will also change the style of existing windows, but only if their style was not changed with the `border` command. (Sometimes it is necessary to shift focus in order to update all borders) **Warning:** this script modifies your i3 configuration (obviously). It may be a good idea to have a backup. Mon, 24 Nov 2014 10:02:13 +0000https://faq.i3wm.org/question/5006/how-to-tell-i3-how-to-decorate-new_windows-via-i3-msg/?answer=5008#post-id-5008