Recall Windows
Save and restore window layouts on Linux/X11
Description
Recall Windows saves the layout of your open windows (position, size, workspace) and restores it in one click. Perfect for instantly recovering your usual work environment after a reboot or a different work session.
Features
- Save windows per workspace
- Selective restore by desktop and application
- GTK3 graphical interface with checkboxes
- Autostart toggle — restore your layout automatically at session start
- Automatic exclusion of system windows (conky, etc.)
- Intelligent mapping of server processes to the correct launch commands
- Real-time feedback during restore
- French
· English 
· German 
Requirements
sudo apt install wmctrl xprop python3-gi
Installation
Run the installer from the folder containing recall-windows.py chmod +x install-recall-windows.sh ./install-recall-windows.sh
The installer copies the script to ~/.local/bin/ and creates a launcher in ~/.local/share/applications/.
Usage
Command line
- Save the current layout
python3 recall-windows.py -read - Restore the saved layout
python3 recall-windows.py -run - Open the graphical interface
python3 recall-windows.py -ui
Graphical interface
The interface displays saved desktops and applications with checkboxes to select what you want to restore.
- Save — saves the current layout and refreshes the list
- Restore — restores checked windows to their saved position
- Autostart — toggles automatic restore at session start (creates/removes
~/.config/autostart/recall-windows.desktop)
Save file
The layout is stored in ~/.windowlist in the following format:
workspace x y width height command
Example:
0 0 0 1920 1080 /opt/brave.com/brave/brave
1 960 0 960 540 gnome-terminal --window
1 960 540 960 540 nautilus -w
Keyboard shortcut
Via system settings → Keyboard shortcuts → Custom shortcut:
| Command | Suggested shortcut |
|---|---|
python3 ~/.local/bin/recall-windows.py -ui |
Super+R |
python3 ~/.local/bin/recall-windows.py -run |
Super+Shift+R |
Adding an application to CMD_MAP
If an application does not restore correctly, add its mapping in the script:
CMD_MAP = { "/usr/libexec/gnome-terminal-server": "gnome-terminal --window", "/usr/bin/nautilus --gapplication-service": "nautilus -w", # Add your applications here "/usr/lib/firefox/firefox": "firefox --new-window", }
To find the exact process command of an application:
cat /proc/$(pgrep -f myapp)/cmdline | tr '\0' ' '
Limitations
- X11 only — not compatible with Wayland
- Requires
wmctrlandxprop - Restore is sequential — each window waits to be visible before moving to the next
