Update

local/share/sway/scripts/first-empty-workspace.py

@@ -0,0 +1,51 @@
+#!/usr/bin/python3
+
+import i3ipc
+from argparse import ArgumentParser
+from time import sleep
+
+# Assumption: it exists 10 workspaces (otherwise, change this value)
+NUM_WORKSPACES = 10
+
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+
+    arguments_parser = ArgumentParser()
+    arguments_parser.add_argument('-s',
+                                  '--switch',
+                                  action='store_true',
+                                  help='switch to the first empty workspace'
+    )
+    arguments_parser.add_argument('-m',
+                                  '--move',
+                                  action='store_true',
+                                  help='move the currently focused container to the first empty workspace'
+    )
+    arguments = arguments_parser.parse_args()
+    assert(arguments.switch or arguments.move) # at least one of the flags must be specificated
+
+    ipc = i3ipc.Connection()
+    tree = ipc.get_tree()
+    current_workspace = tree.find_focused().workspace()
+    workspaces = tree.workspaces() # includes current_workspace
+
+    workspace_numbers = [workspace.num for workspace in workspaces]
+    empty_workspace_numbers = set([number for number in range(1,NUM_WORKSPACES+1)]) - set(workspace_numbers)
+    # Take into consideration that the current workspace exists but might be empty
+    if len(current_workspace.nodes) == 0: empty_workspace_numbers.add(current_workspace.num)
+
+    # Get the minor empty workspace's number (or set it as the current workspace's number if all are busy)
+    first_empty_workspace_number = current_workspace.num
+    if empty_workspace_numbers:
+        first_empty_workspace_number = min(empty_workspace_numbers)
+
+    # Use the value of first_empty_workspace_number to make the requested actions
+    if arguments.move and arguments.switch:
+        # Avoid wallpaper flickering when moving and switching by specifying both actions in the same Sway's command
+        reply = ipc.command("move container to workspace number {}, workspace number {}".format(first_empty_workspace_number, first_empty_workspace_number))
+        assert(reply[0].success) # exit with non-zero status if the assertion fails
+    elif arguments.switch:
+        reply = ipc.command("workspace number {}".format(first_empty_workspace_number))
+        assert(reply[0].success) # exit with non-zero status if the assertion fails
+    elif arguments.move:
+        reply = ipc.command("move container to workspace number {}".format(first_empty_workspace_number))
+        assert(reply[0].success) # exit with non-zero status if the assertion fails