hyprctl dispatch focuswindow doesn't find window with initialTitle, InitialClass or tag

[SirLarion]

Hyprland version

0.51.1

Describe the bug

I have a window open with a certain initialTitle set (confirmed via hyprctl clients), lets say kitty, for example. I want to focus it using hyprctl dispatch focuswindow initialTitle:kitty. However, when I run the command, it simply outputs No such window found.

I also have a windowrule that sets a tag for kitty: windowrule = tag +terminal,class:^(kitty)^ (confirmed to work with hyprctl clients). Then I try hyprctl dispatch focuswindow tag:terminal, but this has the same result.

The same problem is present for using at least initialClass as well. I could only get class:kitty to work as expected.

Reproduction steps

1. Open any window
2. Check hyprctl clients for attribute values to match against
3. Run hyprctl dispatch focuswindow with initialClass/initialTitle/tag matching the confirmed values
4. Command errors with No such window found although it should focus the window you specified

System info and config

Hyprland 0.51.1 built from branch v0.51.1-b at commit 71a1216abcc7031776630a6d88f105605c4dc1c9  ([gha] Nix: update inputs).
Date: 2025-09-22
Tag: v0.51.1, commits: 71a1216abcc7031776630a6d88f105605c4dc1c9
built against:
 aquamarine 0.9.4
 hyprlang 0.6.3
 hyprutils 0.8.4
 hyprcursor 0.1.13
 hyprgraphics 0.1.6


no flags were set


System Information:
System name: Linux
Node name: rocinante
Release: 6.16.9
Version: #1-NixOS SMP PREEMPT_DYNAMIC Thu Sep 25 09:16:54 UTC 2025


GPU information: 
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller [0300]: Intel Corporation CometLake-U GT2 [UHD Graphics] [8086:9b41] (rev 02) (prog-if 00 [VGA controller])


os-release: ANSI_COLOR="0;38;2;126;186;228"
BUG_REPORT_URL="https://github.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/issues"
BUILD_ID="25.11.20251002.7df7ff7"
CPE_NAME="cpe:/o:nixos:nixos:25.11"
DEFAULT_HOSTNAME=nixos
DOCUMENTATION_URL="https://nixos.org/learn.html"
HOME_URL="https://nixos.org/"
ID=nixos
ID_LIKE=""
IMAGE_ID=""
IMAGE_VERSION=""
LOGO="nix-snowflake"
NAME=NixOS
PRETTY_NAME="NixOS 25.11 (Xantusia)"
SUPPORT_URL="https://nixos.org/community.html"
VARIANT=""
VARIANT_ID=""
VENDOR_NAME=NixOS
VENDOR_URL="https://nixos.org/"
VERSION="25.11 (Xantusia)"
VERSION_CODENAME=xantusia
VERSION_ID="25.11"


plugins:

Explicit sync: supported
GL ver: 3.2
Backend: drm

Monitor info:
	Panel eDP-1: 1920x1080, eDP-1 BOE 0x0855  -> backend drm
		explicit ✔️
		edid:
			hdr ❌
			chroma ✔️
			bt2020 ❌
		vrr capable ❌
		non-desktop ❌
		
	Panel DP-2: 1920x1080, DP-2 Acer Technologies GN246HL LW3EE0058533 -> backend drm
		explicit ✔️
		edid:
			hdr ❌
			chroma ✔️
			bt2020 ❌
		vrr capable ❌
		non-desktop ❌
		
======Config-Start======


Config File: /home/larion/.config/hypr/hyprland.conf: Read Succeeded
monitor=desc:Acer Technologies GN246HL LW3EE0058533,highres,0x0,1
monitor=eDP-1,highres,1920x0,1
monitor=,highres,1920x-1440,1

env = XCURSOR_SIZE,24
env = QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME,qt5ct
env = HYPRCURSOR_THEME,Quintom_Snow
env = HYPRCURSOR_SIZE,24

exec-once = qs
exec-once = syncthing --no-browser &

source = ~/.config/hypr/plugins.conf
source = ~/.config/hypr/binds.conf

input {
  kb_layout = fi
  kb_variant =
  kb_model =
  kb_options =
  kb_rules =

  follow_mouse = false
  float_switch_override_focus = false

  touchpad {
    natural_scroll = true
    tap-to-click = false
    scroll_factor = 0.7
  }

  sensitivity = -0.1 # -1.0 to 1.0, 0 means no modification.
}

binds {
  scroll_event_delay = 10
}

device {
  name = kingsis-peripherals-zowie-gaming-mouse
  sensitivity = -0.65
}

general {
  gaps_out = 4
  gaps_in = 2
  border_size = 0
  layout = dwindle

  allow_tearing = false
}

decoration {
  rounding = 8
  blur {
    enabled = false
  }

  dim_inactive = true
  dim_strength = 0.03

  shadow {
    enabled = false
  }
}

animations {
    enabled = true
    # Animation curves
    
   bezier = linear, 0, 0, 1, 1
    bezier = md3_standard, 0.2, 0, 0, 1
    bezier = md3_decel, 0.05, 0.7, 0.1, 1
    bezier = md3_accel, 0.3, 0, 0.8, 0.15
    bezier = overshot, 0.05, 0.9, 0.1, 1.1
    bezier = crazyshot, 0.1, 1.5, 0.76, 0.92 
    bezier = hyprnostretch, 0.05, 0.9, 0.1, 1.0
    bezier = menu_decel, 0.1, 1, 0, 1
    bezier = menu_accel, 0.38, 0.04, 1, 0.07
    bezier = easeInOutCirc, 0.85, 0, 0.15, 1
    bezier = easeOutCirc, 0, 0.55, 0.45, 1
    bezier = easeOutExpo, 0.16, 1, 0.3, 1
    bezier = softAcDecel, 0.26, 0.26, 0.15, 1
    bezier = md2, 0.4, 0, 0.2, 1 # use with .2s duration
    # Animation configs
    animation = windows, 1, 3, md3_decel, popin 60%
    animation = windowsIn, 1, 3, md3_decel, popin 60%
    animation = windowsOut, 1, 3, md3_accel, popin 60%
    animation = border, 1, 10, default
    animation = fade, 1, 3, md3_decel
    # animation = layers, 1, 2, md3_decel, slide
    animation = layersIn, 1, 3, menu_decel, slide
    animation = layersOut, 1, 1.6, menu_accel
    animation = fadeLayersIn, 1, 3, menu_decel
    animation = fadeLayersOut, 1, 1.6, menu_accel
    animation = workspaces, 1, 7, menu_decel, slide
    # animation = workspaces, 1, 2.5, softAcDecel, slide
    # animation = workspaces, 1, 7, menu_decel, slidefade 15%
    # animation = specialWorkspace, 1, 3, md3_decel, slidefadevert 15%
    animation = specialWorkspace, 1, 3, md3_decel, slidevert
}

dwindle {
  pseudotile = true # master switch for pseudotiling. Enabling is bound to mainMod + P in the keybinds section below
  preserve_split = true # you probably want this
}


misc {
  disable_hyprland_logo = true
  disable_splash_rendering = true
  force_default_wallpaper = 0
  background_color = 0xdddddd
}

# "no_gaps_when_only"
workspace = w[tv1], gapsout:0, gapsin:0
workspace = f[1], gapsout:0, gapsin:0
windowrule = bordersize 0, floating:0, onworkspace:w[tv1]
windowrule = rounding 0, floating:0, onworkspace:w[tv1]
windowrule = bordersize 0, floating:0, onworkspace:f[1]
windowrule = rounding 0, floating:0, onworkspace:f[1]

# Window rules
windowrule = suppressevent maximize, class:.*

# Create tags
windowrule = tag +browser,class:^(librewolf)$
windowrule = tag +terminal,class:^(kitty)$
windowrule = tag +builder,initialClass:^(BuilderFPS)$

# Move actual (non-popup) browser windows to new workspace
windowrule = tag -browser,floating:1
windowrule = workspace empty,tag:browser

windowrule = workspace empty,title:^(mpv)$

windowrule = float,initialClass:^(zbar)$

windowrule = workspace special,tag:builder
windowrule = tile,tag:builder

layerrule = noanim,^(selection)$
layerrule = animation popin 60%,^(rofi)$

windowrule = pseudo,class:^(scrcpy)$
windowrule = size 483 1044,class:^(scrcpy)$
windowrule = tile,class:^(scrcpy)$
windowrule = monitor eDP-1,class:^(scrcpy)$


# Workspace rules
workspace = 1, monitor:desc:Acer Technologies GN246HL LW3EE0058533, default:true

debug {
  # disable_time = false
  # disable_logs = false
}




Config File: /home/larion/.config/hypr/plugins.conf: Read Succeeded


Config File: /home/larion/.config/hypr/binds.conf: Read Succeeded
$terminal = ~/repos/dotconfig/scripts/focus_or_open kitty
$menu = ~/.config/rofi/launcher.sh
$phone = ~/repos/dotconfig/scripts/focus_or_open scrcpy
$locker = swaylock -C ~/.config/swaylock/config
$browser = ~/repos/dotconfig/scripts/focus_or_open librewolf --new-window http://localhost
$godot = ~/repos/dotconfig/scripts/focus_or_open Godot
$screenshot = grim -g "`slurp -d`" "$HOME/screenshots/`date '+%y%m%d_%H-%M-%S'`.png"
$shutdown = shutdown now
$emoji = ~/.config/rofi/emoji.sh
$open_yt = ~/repos/dotconfig/scripts/open-yt


bind = CTRL ALT, T, exec, $terminal

bind = CTRL ALT, F, exec, $terminal
bind = CTRL ALT, F, pass, class:kitty

bind = CTRL ALT, H, exec, $terminal
bind = CTRL ALT, H, pass, class:kitty

bind = CTRL ALT, M, exec, $terminal
bind = CTRL ALT, M, pass, class:kitty

bind = CTRL ALT, R, exec, $terminal
bind = CTRL ALT, R, pass, class:kitty

bind = CTRL ALT, E, exec, $emoji
bind = CTRL ALT, W, exec, $browser
bind = CTRL ALT, V, exec, $open_yt 
bind = CTRL ALT, G, exec, $godot
bind = CTRL, Q, killactive, 
bind = CTRL ALT, Q, exec, $locker 
bind = CTRL ALT, P, exec, $phone
bind = CTRL ALT, Delete, exec, $shutdown
bind = , Print, exec, $screenshot

bindr = SUPER, Super_L, exec, $menu

bind = SUPER, mouse_down, resizeactive, -30 0
bind = SUPER, mouse_up, resizeactive, 30 0
bind = AlT, V, togglefloating, 
bind = CTRL, F, fullscreen,
bind = ALT, tab, cyclenext, 

bind = SHIFT ALT, H, workspace, e-1
bind = SHIFT ALT, L, workspace, e+1

# bindm = ALT, mouse:274, movewindow
bindm = SHIFT, ALT_L, resizewindow
bindm = CTRL, Super_L, movewindow

bind = SUPER SHIFT, H, movetoworkspace, r-1
bind = SUPER SHIFT, L, movetoworkspace, r+1

# Switch workspaces with mainMod + [0-9]
bind = SUPER, 1, workspace, 1
bind = SUPER, 2, workspace, 2
bind = SUPER, 3, workspace, 3
bind = SUPER, 4, workspace, 4
bind = SUPER, 5, workspace, 5
bind = SUPER, 6, workspace, 6
bind = SUPER, 7, workspace, 7
bind = SUPER, 8, workspace, 8
bind = SUPER, 9, workspace, 9
bind = SUPER, 0, workspace, 10

# Move active window to a workspace with mainMod + SHIFT + [0-9]
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 1, movetoworkspace, 1
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 2, movetoworkspace, 2
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 3, movetoworkspace, 3
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 4, movetoworkspace, 4
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 5, movetoworkspace, 5
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 6, movetoworkspace, 6
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 7, movetoworkspace, 7
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 8, movetoworkspace, 8
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 9, movetoworkspace, 9
bind = SUPER SHIFT, 0, movetoworkspace, 10

binde =, XF86MonBrightnessDown, exec, brightnessctl set 10%-
binde =, XF86MonBrightnessUp, exec, brightnessctl set 10%+
binde =, F11, exec, brightnessctl set 10%-
binde =, F12, exec, brightnessctl set 10%+

binde =, F2, exec, wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 5%-
binde =, F3, exec, wpctl set-volume @DEFAULT_AUDIO_SINK@ 5%+


======Config-End========