---
id: NL-SPEC-0B9CBD34
type: spec
title: Nuguland bar orientation
---

# Nuguland bar orientation

## Behavior

- The bar has one global orientation: `horizontal` or `vertical`.
- The default is `horizontal`.
- The orientation interface accepts either orientation or `toggle` and returns the resulting orientation.
- Unknown input is a no-op returning the current orientation.
- Changes apply live and remain consistent across bar and popout geometry.

## Layout

| Concern | Horizontal | Vertical |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Edge | top | left |
| Span | full width | full height |
| Thickness | fixed bar height | widest visible compact content |
| Flow | left to right | top to bottom |
| Clock | inline hour and minute | stacked hour, rule, minute |
| Popouts | below the bar | right of the bar |

- The clock remains the middle zone and never overlaps another bar zone.
- Vertical workspace pills remain compact and use the widget-label abbreviation rule.
- OSD and toast placement remains independently top-right.
- Orientation transitions are immediate.

## Abbreviation contract

Drop `a`, `e`, `i`, `o`, and `u`, then take the first three characters.
If fewer than three characters remain, take the first three characters of the original label.

| Input | Output |
| --- | --- |
| `notify` | `ntf` |
| `code` | `cod` |
| `media` | `med` |
| `system` | `sys` |
| `audio` | `aud` |
| `power` | `pwr` |

## Popout constraints

- Bar thickness is the only orientation-dependent offset shared with popout geometry.
- Vertical popouts use the free area to the right, move rightward, and clamp on the y-axis.
- Horizontal popouts use the free area below, move downward, and clamp on the x-axis.
- The outside-dismiss region excludes the bar in both orientations.

## Acceptance

- Horizontal chips share a y-axis and vertical chips share an x-axis in increasing order.
- Vertical thickness follows content rather than a fixed width.
- The abbreviation self-test passes every required case.
- Registered clock geometry does not overlap another bar zone.
- Popout state reports the correct origin, constrained axis, and transition direction.
- Outside dismissal does not intercept bar clicks.
- Returning to horizontal preserves existing behavior.
- The compositor keybind toggles orientation.
- A human confirms labels, clock, and separator remain legible.