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Available since version 25.01
Floating windows in niri always show on top of the tiled windows. The floating layout does not scroll. Each workspace/monitor has its own floating layout, just like each workspace/monitor has its own tiling layout.

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Automatic Floating

New windows will automatically float if they:

Have a Parent

Windows with a parent window, such as dialog boxes

Fixed Size

Windows with a fixed size, such as splash screens

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Manual Control

1

Toggle Floating

Use the toggle-window-floating bind to switch between floating and tiling
2

Right-Click While Dragging

Right click while dragging/moving the window to toggle its state

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Window Rules

You can use the open-floating true/false window rule to:
  • Force a window to open as floating
  • Disable the automatic floating logic

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Focus Management

Use switch-focus-between-floating-and-tiling to switch the focus between the two layouts.
When focused on the floating layout, binds (like focus-column-right) will operate on the floating window.

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Precise Positioning

You can precisely position a floating window with a command: 
niri msg action move-floating-window -x 100 -y 200
This is useful for scripting or creating specific window layouts programmatically.

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