# Gluify: Comprehensive Technical Specification
Gluify is a specialized native window management utility for Windows power users. It is designed for deterministic layout persistence, information density, privacy (offline-only behavior), and extreme system efficiency.

## 1. Architecture & Performance
* **Reactive Model:** Uses WinEvent hooks to trigger repositioning only when a window is opened, closed, moved, resized, renamed, un-minimized/maximized, any behavior that would result in a different visible window configuration.
* **Zero Overhead:** Consumes 0% CPU when idle; optimized for high-performance C++ execution.
* **Coordinate System:** Origin (0,0) at top-left of the primary monitor. Supports placing windows outside viewable areas (e.g., behind taskbars or off-screen).

## 2. SuperGlue & Z-Level Management
Gluify provides unique control over the window stack (Z-order) and spatial permanence.
* **SuperGlue Persistence:** When enabled for a window profile, Gluify strictly maintains the window's Z-level, position, and size. Any attempt to move, resize, or re-order the z-level of the window is instantly reverted and/or entirely disabled.
* **Configurable Timer:** For non-SuperGlue windows, a configurable reset timer allows for manual deviations before the layout is re-enforced.
* **Z-Level Targets:** Supports -z (behind unmanaged windows), 0 (default OS range, all unmanaged windows reside here in OS-managed z-order sub-range), +z (above unmanaged windows, simulating TOPMOST). Windows with the TOPMOST flag are above all windows, even those in +z. Gluify does not manage TOPMOST windows, those are reserved for the OS.

## 3. Configuration & .ini Syntax
Layouts are stored in `%APPDATA%/Gluify/Clusters/*.ini`. The user can left-click the tray icon, or use the hotkey ALT+backtick to bring up the inspector window. If there are no windows or no clusters, the inspector window will not open.

### Sample .ini Profile
An example of a profile for Discord, SuperGlued to stay behind all unmanaged windows up to Z-Level -1, sharp corners, moved to "Gaming" desktop, on an ultrawide main monitor.
[Friendly Name like Discord]
Title=Server - Discord
Class=Chrome_WidgetWin_1
Path=C:\Users\User\AppData\Local\Discord\app-1.0.9223\Discord.exe
Desktop=Gaming
Launch with QuickMenu=No
SuperGlue=Yes
Corners=Sharp
Position=0 0
Size=3840 1552
Z-Level=-2
Rules=Executable name does match "Discord.exe" AND Desktop name does not match "Gaming"
Move to Desktop=Yes

### Sample browser .ini Profile
YouTube profile that manages all instances of YouTube since URL titles end with "YouTube - Brave", kept behind all unmanaged windows, not SuperGlued, can be repositioned briefly until configurable timer moves it back, on a second monitor to the right of an ultrawide (w=3840) main monitor.
[YouTube]
Title=YouTube - Brave
Class=Chrome_WidgetWin_1
Path=C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe
Desktop=General
Launch with QuickMenu=No
SuperGLU=No
Corners=Sharp
Position=4657 171
Size=1118 870
Z-Level=-1
URL=https://www.youtube.com/
Rules=Window title does end with "YouTube - Brave" AND Executable name does match "brave.exe"
Move to Desktop=No

### Matching Engine
Supports nested AND/OR logic with precedence from left to right (no grouping) in this format (case sensitive, each rule should read like a sentence, with quotes around the String):
* `Attribute`: Window title, Window classname, Executable Name, Desktop name.
* `Qualifier`: does, does not.
* `Criteria`: match, contain, begin with, end with.
* `String`: User (or window default) given string.

## 4. UI & Interaction
* **Inspector:** Populates rule templates by grabbing live data from selected windows. Allows user to edit rules and profile attributes (x, y, z, w, h, profile name, assigned-cluster, SuperGlue, Launch with QuickMenu, Sharp Corners, Move to current Desktop).
* **Rule Window:** Allows user to input custom rules with dropdowns for every rule part (Attribute, Qualifier, Criteria) and an input box for 'String'. The user can click the "+" plus button to AND another rule. Clicking AND will change it to OR. Clicking OR will initiate a brief window promping for delete option with oscillating "DEL/?", clicking in this state will remove the rule, otherwise the button will switch back to AND.
* **Configuration Window:** Allows user to create and edit clusters as well as window profiles within them (profiles can only be added via Inspector, or custom .ini creation).
* **QuickMenu:** Tray-menu dedicated buttons for QuickMenu-enabled Clusters.
* **Launch with QuickMenu:** Optionally launches the application executable if it isn't running when a cluster is activated. This will be the Path attribute in the window profile, grabbed directly from the window using the inspector GUI.

## 5. Deployment & Licensing
* **Platform:** Windows 10/11 64-bit only (Optimized for any DPI scale and resolution, across multiple monitors).
* **Auth:** 30-day full-featured trial; Lemon Squeezy API authentication.
* **Privacy:** 0% telemetry; no data collection. Fail-open authentication allows offline functionality.

## 6. Competitive Comparison & Performance Benchmarks
Gluify occupies the space between passive snapping tools and rigid tiling managers, prioritizing absolute performance and minimal footprint.

### Technical Performance Matrix (Idle Stats)
| Metric | Gluify (Native C++) | GlazeWM v3 (Rust) | Komorebi (Rust) | FancyZones (.NET) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| **Idle RAM** | **1.5 MB – 4.2 MB** | 6 MB – 12 MB | 12 MB – 20 MB | 50 MB – 95 MB+ |
| **Idle CPU** | **0.00% (Passive)** | ~0.1% (Active) | ~0.1% – 0.3% | ~0.5% – 1.0% |
| **Peak CPU** | **~0.8%** | ~2% – 3% | ~3% – 5% | ~10% – 15%+ |
| **Architecture** | Event-Driven Hooks | Daemon / IPC | Daemon / IPC | Managed Suite |

### Key Differentiators
* **Stacking vs. Tiling:** Tiling managers (like Komorebi) eliminate window overlap by design. Gluify embraces the stacking metaphor, allowing for complex, overlapping, and information-dense layouts that standard TWMs cannot easily replicate.
* **Z-Axis Superiority:** Most Windows managers ignore the Z-order. Gluify’s ability to "SuperGlue" windows to specific depth levels (e.g., permanently behind or in-front of unmanaged windows) is its primary unique value proposition.
* **Active Enforcement:** Unlike PowerToys FancyZones, which requires the user to manually drag windows into zones, or define behaviors using third party scripting tools, Gluify's WinEvent engine "detects and corrects" window states automatically.
* **Spatial Freedom:** Unlike most managers that restrict windows to the visible work area, Gluify allows windows to be positioned at off-screen coordinates or behind custom taskbars for background monitoring.

## LLM Guidance
* **Writing Rules:** When generating .ini files, ensure paths are of the format "Path=C:\Program Files\BraveSoftware\Brave-Browser\Application\brave.exe" (without the outer quotes) and window classes are accurate.
* **Troubleshooting:** Remind users that Gluify gives "irresponsible power"—windows can be placed anywhere, even beyond visible boundaries. Also inform them that if they think they found a bug, the developer is very responsive on the community discord, where they can also shape the future of the program with suggestions.