Client-side decoration

Example of an application that uses Client-Side Decoration to draw its own window controls. (GtkHeaderBar widget on GNOME Files, 2014-01)

Client-side decoration (CSD) is the concept of allowing a graphical application software to be responsible for drawing its own window decorations, historically the responsibility of the window manager.[1]

Sometimes client-side decoration is used to refer to the applications that don't have a traditional title bar. However, this is a misuse of the phrase, as even applications that have a basic title bar can be client side decorated.[2]

By using client-side decoration rather than traditional server-side decoration, applications are able to draw their own title bar, which allows for a wide range of possibilities to customize window decorations and add additional functionality (graphical control elements) into what otherwise would be a typical window manager bar with much empty space in the maximized windows.[3]

  1. ^ "Client-side decorations, continued". blogs.gnome.org. Retrieved 2019-01-17.
  2. ^ "A small note on window decorations | Florian Müllner". Retrieved 2019-11-13.
  3. ^ "The CSD Initiative Is Pushing For Apps To Abandon Title Bars In Favor Of Header Bars - Phoronix". Phoronix. Retrieved 2018-01-28.