Hardbar – compile-time defined i3bar

by pjz·Jun 7, 2026·2 points·0 comments

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AI Analysis

●●SolidWizardryNiche Gem

Compile-time ZON config eliminates runtime parsing overhead for i3bar.

Strengths

•Modules compiled in natively avoid fork-exec per update cycle
•ZON configuration evaluated at compile time, no runtime parsing
•Empty blocks automatically omitted for clean desktop bars

Weaknesses

•Requires Zig 0.16, limiting adoption to Nix or manual setup users
•Tiny audience of i3/sway tiling WM users who care about bar perf

Post Description

A fast, compile-time-configured status bar for i3 and sway, outputting the i3bar JSON protocol.

I was worried about the performance of i3blocks due to the constant fork-and-execs, and I thought zig would make it easy to have a bar defined at compile-time. I started on this idea a couple years ago but ended up somewhat stymied by lack of time to chase down some corners of zig syntax interaction. Recently I started playing with Claude Code, and I was curious as to how well it would deal with zig so picked it back up. It didn't take long to have something reasonably functional, and I thought others might like it as well. Enjoy!