#9280·sway

bare `swaybg` spawned on every config load with zero backgrounds configured

Author: yesvusCreated Sep 12, 2026Updated Sep 12, 2026
  • Sway Version:

    • sway version 1.12 (arch package 1:1.12-4).
  • Debug Log:

    • No sway -d capture; the behavior is fully described by the code path plus the journal lines below. The spawned process only ever logs:
      • Could not find config for output HDMI-A-1 (...)
      • Could not find config for output eDP-1 (...)
      • recurring at session start, every reload, each hotplug and each VT switch.
  • Configuration File:

    • No output ... bg directive anywhere in the config (wallpaper is handled by an external layer shell client), confirmed via swaymsg -t get_config. Default configuration otherwise.
  • Stack Trace:

    • N/A, no crash.
  • Description:

    • Every config load and reload spawns a bare swaybg with no output arguments (load_main_config calls spawn_swaybg unconditionally; with no backgrounds the command vector is just ["swaybg"]). The process does nothing except log the lines above for each output on every output change. Observed fresh swaybg PIDs at session start and after reloads.
    • Proposal: skip the spawn when no output config carries a background (the length == 2 case in spawn_swaybg), or guard at the load_main_config call site. A PR is attached (#9282).