---
type: reference
title: Niri Action Reference
description: Complete reference of all available niri actions — window operations, focus, movement, spawning, and system actions.
tags:
  - niri
  - actions
  - reference
verified: 2026-08-28
---

# Action Reference

## Window/Column Actions

- `close-window` — Close focused window
- `toggle-window-floating` — Toggle floating/tiling
- `maximize-column` — Maximize column with gaps
- `maximize-window-to-edges` — Maximize without gaps
- `expand-column-to-available-width` — Fill remaining space
- `center-column` — Center focused column
- `center-visible-columns` — Center all visible columns
- `switch-preset-column-width` — Cycle preset widths
- `switch-preset-column-width-back` — Cycle backwards
- `switch-preset-window-height` — Cycle preset heights
- `reset-window-height` — Reset height
- `toggle-column-tabbed-display` — Toggle vertical tabs mode
- `consume-or-expel-window-left/right` — Consume/expel window
- `consume-window-into-column` — Consume window into column
- `expel-window-from-column` — Expel window from column
- `set-column-width "-10%"` / `set-column-width "+10%"` — Fine width adjustment
- `set-window-height "-10%"` / `set-window-height "+10%"` — Fine height adjustment

## Focus Actions

- `focus-column-left/right` — Focus adjacent column
- `focus-window-up/down` — Focus window within column
- `focus-column-first/last` — Focus first/last column
- `focus-workspace N` — Focus workspace N
- `focus-workspace-down/up` — Focus next/previous workspace
- `focus-workspace-previous` — Focus previously active workspace
- `focus-monitor-left/right/up/down` — Focus adjacent monitor

## Move Actions

- `move-column-left/right` — Move column left/right
- `move-window-up/down` — Move window within column
- `move-column-to-first/last` — Move column to edge
- `move-column-to-workspace-down/up` — Move column to adjacent workspace
- `move-column-to-workspace N` — Move column to workspace N
- `move-column-to-monitor-left/right/up/down` — Move column to adjacent monitor

## Other Actions

- `spawn "program"` — Run program (no shell expansion)
- `spawn-sh "command"` — Run command through shell
- `spawn-at-startup "program"` — Run at startup
- `quit` — Quit compositor (with confirmation)
- `show-hotkey-overlay` — Show keybind cheat sheet
- `toggle-overview` — Toggle overview
- `screenshot` — Interactive screenshot
- `screenshot-screen` — Screenshot monitor
- `screenshot-window` — Screenshot window
- `power-off-monitors` — Turn off displays
- `toggle-keyboard-shortcuts-inhibit` — Toggle inhibitor
- `do-screen-transition` — Smooth screen transition (for theme switching)

## Related

* [Default Bindings](/tools/niri/default-bindings.md) — Default key bindings that invoke these actions
* [Tips](/tools/niri/tips.md) — Programmatic invocation and other tips