How to bind Mod4+button2 (Win + middle-click) to close the window?

[CyberShadow]

Attempt 1:

bindsym --border --whole-window           Mod4+button2 exec "i3-msg kill"

It works, however, when I release the middle mouse button, that goes to whichever window is now under the mouse button (e.g. for terminals it pastes the selection).

Attempt 2:

bindsym --border --whole-window           Mod4+button2 exec "i3-msg kill"
bindsym --border --whole-window --release Mod4+button2 nop

Doesn't work (same effect as above).

Attempt 3:

bindsym --border --whole-window --release Mod4+button2 exec "i3-msg kill"

Doesn't work (middle click does nothing but go through to the application).

Looking at the log, I see that i3 never even receives XCB_BUTTON_RELEASE. Is it some kind of Xorg limitation? I saw this also mentioned here and here.

If I attempt to implement the same thing with xbindkeys, it works:

(xbindkey          '(        "m:64" "b:2") "i3-msg kill")
(xbindkey-function '(release "m:64" "b:2") (lambda () #t))

I guess it works there because xbindkeys sets up a global hook?

[budRich]

@CyberShadow this one works for me: bindsym --whole-window Mod4+button2 kill
i3-msg is only useful if you want to execute internal i3 commands in a "external" context, you don't need it in the i3 config.

I have this dream key/mouse binding i have been wanting since i started using linux, but could never get it working. I think xbindkeys is the only program that can do it:

button3+button4 -> ctrl+pageup
button3+button5 -> ctrl+pagedown
button3+button2 -> ctrl+w

So button3 (right click) acts as a modifier (ctrl) if it is held and button4/5 (scroll up/down) or button2 pressing middle click. Thus will let you control tabs in almost any application with the mouse. Do you know how to code this in xbindkey. I know it is not really i3 related, but this is the closest i have been to my dream.

[budRich]

here is something that seems to work, replace the script with this:

#!/bin/bash

xdotool mouseup 2
{ sleep .1 ; i3-msg kill ;} &

[CyberShadow]

I think that's the same as sleep .1 ; i3-msg kill, i.e., delay the kill so that the mouse up goes to the window that's about to be killed too. It works only if you hold the mouse button down for less than 100ms.

[budRich]

I` miss AutoHotkey so much right now ;;
https://gist.github.com/budRich/6044613

[budRich]

i haven't tested it myself, but in this issue there is a patch to i3 that might resolve this:
#3459 (Mousebinding with --release and --whole-window doesn't work)

[CyberShadow]

Thanks for that link! Some very useful context and details there too. I'm test-driving that patch right now. It does not allow binding kill to the mouse down event, but putting nop/kill on down/up respectively does seem to work reliably.