Make Applications Always Open On A Given Workspace (Viewport) Using Compiz

Because WebUpd8 reader soee asked in a comment about making an application always run on a given workspace (viewport), I decided to make a full post and a screencast for this - especially since there's an annoying bug when trying to make an app always open on a certain workspace.

To make an application always open on a workspace (viewport), you need CompizConfig Settings Manager installed (and Compiz running of course):

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Once installed, go to System > Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager and enable the "Place Windows" plugin, then click it and on the "Fixed window placement" tab, under "Windows with fixed viewport" (the last option there), select "New". Here, select the workspace on which you want the application to open. Then click the "+" sign and then click "grab", then click the middle of the window for the application you want to run on a given desktop (workspace) (don't click it's titlebar - that won't work). 

Then copy the window class - that's because there is a bug in Compiz so the "Grab" doesn't automatically insert the window class name -, click "Add" and paste the exact window class you've just copied. You can also use the window name instead of the class.

If you're not very familiar with CompizConfig Settings Manager, you probably didn't understand much from what I've explained above, so here's a screencast with the exact steps:

(You can find all our videos on the WebUpd8 YouTube Channel)

Make sure you watch the video in HD!


If you have any questions, feel free to ask!