[Feature Request] Option to set a maximum number of workspaces (achieving Static Workspaces without adding another mode)

[PoisonFrog]

Since System76 developers prefer not to add another workspace mode alongside the dynamic workspace system, what about adding an option to set a maximum number of automatically generated workspaces? This could even be a per-display setting for more flexibility.

Use cases:

1. A user could set a cap of X workspaces. Once that limit is reached, no more workspaces would be dynamically created. If they then pin all workspaces, they effectively have a static set of workspaces.
2. If this were a per-display setting for extra flexibility, the user could limit secondary displays to just one workspace. This would function similarly to GNOME's option that restricts workspaces to the primary display.
3. Some users might not even want to pin workspaces. Maybe they prefer dynamically generated workspaces but would still find a maximum workspace limit useful.

Between workspace pinning and a max workspace number, this would cover all use cases. Integrating this with the current dynamic workspace system and the upcoming pinning feature would likely be much simpler than building a new static mode while also covering all its use cases.

[leviport]

Pinned workspace planning is happening in pop-os/cosmic-workspaces-epoch#108

That said, I really don't understand the utility of setting a cap. That sounds like a setting that would add clutter and have minimal utility. Once a user has set up all their pinned workspaces, why would an option that prevents the generation of another workspace after all the pins be helpful?

[PoisonFrog]

Pinned workspace planning is happening in pop-os/cosmic-workspaces-epoch#108

That said, I really don't understand the utility of setting a cap. That sounds like a setting that would add clutter and have minimal utility. Once a user has set up all their pinned workspaces, why would an option that prevents the generation of another workspace after all the pins be helpful?

Some people prefer a fixed number of workspaces rather than having them created or removed dynamically. Pinning workspaces doesn’t provide the same experience as static workspaces, it simply sets a minimum number of workspaces. For example, if you want exactly five workspaces, pinning five won’t achieve that because an additional workspace is automatically created once you populate the last one. This behavior frustrates some users. Instead of having five workspaces, you end up with six. The sixth workspace won't serve any purpose other than being an annoyance because you can always move into it accidentally, and a reminder in your top panel that you can have the exact number of workspaces you want in all wayland compositors except COSMIC. If you pin four workspaces in order to have five, the fifth one won't always be available if there is no open application in your 4th workspace, so if there is an app you always place in the fifth workspace you will not be able to do it unless you populate the 4th workspace first.

Having a maximum number of workspace on top of the pinning workspaces feature would cover all use cases.

But if the devs do not think it brings any value so be it. Whatever.

[leviport]

My point was that setting a maximum number and pinning that number feels like a workaround to simply having static workspaces. We aren't unamenable to implementing static workspaces if the demand is there, especially if it means making awkward workarounds. We are just focusing on pinning first.

[nullnominal]

I find this useful as a person who does not want dynamic workspaces, as when I try to shift windows around, they go into a new workspace. This would solve that by blocking cosmic from creating those workspaces.

[leviport]

This request wasn't about static workspaces, per se. If you want to request static workspaces, there is a feature request here that you can upvote: pop-os/cosmic-epoch#513

[nullnominal]

Yes, I know that.