diff --git a/include/modules/hyprland/workspaces.hpp b/include/modules/hyprland/workspaces.hpp
index b32dc41d..353edb7a 100644
--- a/include/modules/hyprland/workspaces.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/hyprland/workspaces.hpp
@@ -18,11 +18,15 @@ class Workspace {
   int id() const { return id_; };
   std::string name() const { return name_; };
   std::string output() const { return output_; };
-  int active() const { return active_; };
+  bool active() const { return active_; };
   bool is_special() const { return is_special_; };
+  bool is_persistent() const { return is_persistent_; };
+  bool is_empty() const { return windows_ == 0; };
 
   auto handle_clicked(GdkEventButton* bt) -> bool;
   void set_active(bool value = true) { active_ = value; };
+  void set_persistent(bool value = true) { is_persistent_ = value; };
+  void set_windows(uint value) { windows_ = value; };
 
   void update(const std::string& format, const std::string& icon);
 
@@ -30,9 +34,10 @@ class Workspace {
   int id_;
   std::string name_;
   std::string output_;
-  int windows_;
-  bool active_;
-  bool is_special_;
+  uint windows_;
+  bool active_ = false;
+  bool is_special_ = false;
+  bool is_persistent_ = false;
 
   Gtk::Button button_;
   Gtk::Box content_;
@@ -53,6 +58,7 @@ class Workspaces : public AModule, public EventHandler {
 
  private:
   void onEvent(const std::string&) override;
+  void update_window_count();
   void sort_workspaces();
   void create_workspace(Json::Value& value);
   void remove_workspace(std::string name);
@@ -60,10 +66,16 @@ class Workspaces : public AModule, public EventHandler {
   bool all_outputs_ = false;
   bool show_special_ = false;
 
+  void fill_persistent_workspaces();
+  void create_persistent_workspaces();
+  std::vector<std::string> persistent_workspaces_to_create_;
+  bool persistent_created_ = false;
+
   std::string format_;
   std::map<std::string, std::string> icons_map_;
   bool with_icon_;
-  std::string active_workspace_name;
+  uint64_t monitor_id_;
+  std::string active_workspace_name_;
   std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Workspace>> workspaces_;
   std::vector<Json::Value> workspaces_to_create_;
   std::vector<std::string> workspaces_to_remove_;
diff --git a/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp b/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
index 8e5d1148..787d812d 100644
--- a/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/hyprland/workspaces.cpp
@@ -55,6 +55,9 @@ Workspaces::Workspaces(const std::string &id, const Bar &bar, const Json::Value
   gIPC->registerForIPC("destroyworkspace", this);
   gIPC->registerForIPC("focusedmon", this);
   gIPC->registerForIPC("moveworkspace", this);
+  gIPC->registerForIPC("openwindow", this);
+  gIPC->registerForIPC("closewindow", this);
+  gIPC->registerForIPC("movewindow", this);
 }
 
 auto Workspaces::update() -> void {
@@ -71,7 +74,7 @@ auto Workspaces::update() -> void {
   workspaces_to_create_.clear();
 
   for (auto &workspace : workspaces_) {
-    workspace->set_active(workspace->name() == active_workspace_name);
+    workspace->set_active(workspace->name() == active_workspace_name_);
     std::string &workspace_icon = icons_map_[""];
     if (with_icon_) {
       workspace_icon = workspace->select_icon(icons_map_);
@@ -87,7 +90,7 @@ void Workspaces::onEvent(const std::string &ev) {
   std::string payload = ev.substr(eventName.size() + 2);
 
   if (eventName == "workspace") {
-    active_workspace_name = payload;
+    active_workspace_name_ = payload;
 
   } else if (eventName == "destroyworkspace") {
     workspaces_to_remove_.push_back(payload);
@@ -97,14 +100,14 @@ void Workspaces::onEvent(const std::string &ev) {
     for (Json::Value workspace_json : workspaces_json) {
       if (workspace_json["name"].asString() == payload &&
           (all_outputs() || bar_.output->name == workspace_json["monitor"].asString()) &&
-          (show_special() || workspace_json["name"].asString().find("special") != 0)) {
+          (show_special() || workspace_json["name"].asString().starts_with("special"))) {
         workspaces_to_create_.push_back(workspace_json);
         break;
       }
     }
 
   } else if (eventName == "focusedmon") {
-    active_workspace_name = payload.substr(payload.find(',') + 1);
+    active_workspace_name_ = payload.substr(payload.find(',') + 1);
 
   } else if (eventName == "moveworkspace" && !all_outputs()) {
     std::string workspace = payload.substr(0, payload.find(','));
@@ -121,13 +124,47 @@ void Workspaces::onEvent(const std::string &ev) {
     } else {
       workspaces_to_remove_.push_back(workspace);
     }
+  } else if (eventName == "openwindow" || eventName == "closewindow" || eventName == "movewindow") {
+    update_window_count();
   }
 
   dp.emit();
 }
 
+void Workspaces::update_window_count() {
+  const Json::Value workspaces_json = gIPC->getSocket1JsonReply("workspaces");
+  for (auto &workspace : workspaces_) {
+    auto workspace_json = std::find_if(
+        workspaces_json.begin(), workspaces_json.end(),
+        [&](Json::Value const &x) { return x["name"].asString() == workspace->name(); });
+    if (workspace_json != workspaces_json.end()) {
+      try {
+        workspace->set_windows((*workspace_json)["windows"].asUInt());
+      } catch (const std::exception &e) {
+        spdlog::error("Failed to update window count: {}", e.what());
+      }
+    } else {
+      workspace->set_windows(0);
+    }
+  }
+}
+
 void Workspaces::create_workspace(Json::Value &value) {
-  workspaces_.push_back(std::make_unique<Workspace>(value));
+  // replace the existing persistent workspace if it exists
+  auto workspace = std::find_if(
+      workspaces_.begin(), workspaces_.end(), [&](std::unique_ptr<Workspace> const &x) {
+        auto name = value["name"].asString();
+        return x->is_persistent() &&
+               ((name.starts_with("special:") && name.substr(8) == x->name()) || name == x->name());
+      });
+  if (workspace != workspaces_.end()) {
+    // replace workspace, but keep persistent flag
+    workspaces_.erase(workspace);
+    value["persistent"] = true;
+  }
+
+  // create new workspace
+  workspaces_.emplace_back(std::make_unique<Workspace>(value));
   Gtk::Button &new_workspace_button = workspaces_.back()->button();
   box_.pack_start(new_workspace_button, false, false);
   sort_workspaces();
@@ -139,6 +176,12 @@ void Workspaces::remove_workspace(std::string name) {
                                 [&](std::unique_ptr<Workspace> &x) { return x->name() == name; });
 
   if (workspace == workspaces_.end()) {
+    // happens when a workspace on another monitor is destroyed
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if ((*workspace)->is_persistent()) {
+    // don't remove persistent workspaces, create_workspace will take care of replacement
     return;
   }
 
@@ -146,16 +189,89 @@ void Workspaces::remove_workspace(std::string name) {
   workspaces_.erase(workspace);
 }
 
+void Workspaces::fill_persistent_workspaces() {
+  if (config_["persistent_workspaces"].isObject() && !all_outputs()) {
+    const Json::Value persistent_workspaces = config_["persistent_workspaces"];
+    const std::vector<std::string> keys = persistent_workspaces.getMemberNames();
+
+    for (const std::string &key : keys) {
+      const Json::Value &value = persistent_workspaces[key];
+      if (value.isInt()) {
+        // value is a number => create that many workspaces for this monitor
+        // only add if either:
+        // 1. key is "*" and this monitor is not already defined in the config
+        // 2. key is the current monitor name
+        if ((key == "*" && std::find(keys.begin(), keys.end(), bar_.output->name) == keys.end()) ||
+            key == bar_.output->name) {
+          int amount = value.asInt();
+          spdlog::debug("Creating {} persistent workspaces for monitor {}", amount,
+                        bar_.output->name);
+          for (int i = 0; i < amount; i++) {
+            persistent_workspaces_to_create_.emplace_back(
+                std::to_string(monitor_id_ * amount + i + 1));
+          }
+        }
+
+      } else if (value.isArray() && !value.empty()) {
+        // value is an array => key is a workspace name
+        // values are monitor names this workspace should be shown on
+        for (const Json::Value &monitor : value) {
+          if (monitor.isString() && monitor.asString() == bar_.output->name) {
+            persistent_workspaces_to_create_.emplace_back(key);
+            break;
+          }
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+void Workspaces::create_persistent_workspaces() {
+  for (const std::string &workspace_name : persistent_workspaces_to_create_) {
+    Json::Value new_workspace;
+    try {
+      // numbered persistent workspaces get the name as ID
+      new_workspace["id"] = workspace_name == "special" ? -99 : std::stoi(workspace_name);
+    } catch (const std::exception &e) {
+      // named persistent workspaces start with ID=0
+      new_workspace["id"] = 0;
+    }
+    new_workspace["name"] = workspace_name;
+    new_workspace["monitor"] = bar_.output->name;
+    new_workspace["windows"] = 0;
+    new_workspace["persistent"] = true;
+
+    create_workspace(new_workspace);
+  }
+}
+
 void Workspaces::init() {
-  active_workspace_name = (gIPC->getSocket1JsonReply("activeworkspace"))["name"].asString();
+  active_workspace_name_ = (gIPC->getSocket1JsonReply("activeworkspace"))["name"].asString();
+
+  // get monitor ID from name (used by persistent workspaces)
+  monitor_id_ = 0;
+  auto monitors = gIPC->getSocket1JsonReply("monitors");
+  auto current_monitor = std::find_if(
+      monitors.begin(), monitors.end(),
+      [this](const Json::Value &m) { return m["name"].asString() == bar_.output->name; });
+  if (current_monitor == monitors.end()) {
+    spdlog::error("Monitor '{}' does not have an ID? Using 0", bar_.output->name);
+  } else {
+    monitor_id_ = (*current_monitor)["id"].asInt();
+  }
+
+  fill_persistent_workspaces();
+  create_persistent_workspaces();
 
   const Json::Value workspaces_json = gIPC->getSocket1JsonReply("workspaces");
   for (Json::Value workspace_json : workspaces_json) {
     if ((all_outputs() || bar_.output->name == workspace_json["monitor"].asString()) &&
-        (workspace_json["name"].asString().find("special") != 0 || show_special()))
+        (workspace_json["name"].asString().starts_with("special") || show_special()))
       create_workspace(workspace_json);
   }
 
+  update_window_count();
+
   sort_workspaces();
 
   dp.emit();
@@ -171,16 +287,19 @@ Workspace::Workspace(const Json::Value &workspace_data)
     : id_(workspace_data["id"].asInt()),
       name_(workspace_data["name"].asString()),
       output_(workspace_data["monitor"].asString()),  // TODO:allow using monitor desc
-      windows_(workspace_data["id"].asInt()),
-      active_(true),
-      is_special_(false) {
-  if (name_.find("name:") == 0) {
+      windows_(workspace_data["windows"].asInt()),
+      active_(true) {
+  if (name_.starts_with("name:")) {
     name_ = name_.substr(5);
-  } else if (name_.find("special") == 0) {
-    name_ = id_ == -99 ? name_ : name_.substr(13);
+  } else if (name_.starts_with("special")) {
+    name_ = id_ == -99 ? name_ : name_.substr(8);
     is_special_ = true;
   }
 
+  if (workspace_data.isMember("persistent")) {
+    is_persistent_ = workspace_data["persistent"].asBool();
+  }
+
   button_.add_events(Gdk::BUTTON_PRESS_MASK);
   button_.signal_button_press_event().connect(sigc::mem_fun(*this, &Workspace::handle_clicked),
                                               false);
@@ -202,28 +321,45 @@ void add_or_remove_class(const Glib::RefPtr<Gtk::StyleContext> &context, bool co
 void Workspace::update(const std::string &format, const std::string &icon) {
   auto style_context = button_.get_style_context();
   add_or_remove_class(style_context, active(), "active");
+  add_or_remove_class(style_context, is_special(), "special");
+  add_or_remove_class(style_context, is_empty(), "persistent");
 
-  label_.set_markup(fmt::format(fmt::runtime(format), fmt::arg("id", id()),
-                                fmt::arg("name", name()), fmt::arg("icon", icon)));
+  label_.set_markup(
+      fmt::format(fmt::runtime(format), fmt::arg("name", name()), fmt::arg("icon", icon)));
 }
 
 void Workspaces::sort_workspaces() {
   std::sort(workspaces_.begin(), workspaces_.end(),
             [](std::unique_ptr<Workspace> &a, std::unique_ptr<Workspace> &b) {
-              // normal -> named -> special -> named special
+              // normal -> named persistent -> named -> special -> named special
+
+              // both normal (includes numbered persistent) => sort by ID
               if (a->id() > 0 && b->id() > 0) {
                 return a->id() < b->id();
               }
-              if (a->id() < 0 && b->id() < 0) {
-                if ((a->is_special()) ^ (a->is_special())) {
-                  return a->id() > b->id();
-                }
-                return a->id() < b->id();
+
+              // one normal, one special => normal first
+              if ((a->is_special()) ^ (b->is_special())) {
+                return b->is_special();
               }
+
+              // only one normal, one named
               if ((a->id() > 0) ^ (b->id() > 0)) {
-                return a->id() > b->id();
+                return a->id() > 0;
               }
-              return false;
+
+              // both special
+              if (a->is_special() && b->is_special()) {
+                // if one is -99 => put it last
+                if (a->id() == -99 || b->id() == -99) {
+                  return b->id() == -99;
+                }
+                // both are 0 (not yet named persistents) / both are named specials (-98 <= ID <=-1)
+                return a->name() < b->name();
+              }
+
+              // sort non-special named workspaces by name (ID <= -1377)
+              return a->name() < b->name();
             });
 
   for (size_t i = 0; i < workspaces_.size(); ++i) {
@@ -239,11 +375,25 @@ std::string &Workspace::select_icon(std::map<std::string, std::string> &icons_ma
     }
   }
 
+  if (is_special()) {
+    auto special_icon_it = icons_map.find("special");
+    if (special_icon_it != icons_map.end()) {
+      return special_icon_it->second;
+    }
+  }
+
   auto named_icon_it = icons_map.find(std::to_string(id()));
   if (named_icon_it != icons_map.end()) {
     return named_icon_it->second;
   }
 
+  if (is_persistent()) {
+    auto persistent_icon_it = icons_map.find("persistent");
+    if (persistent_icon_it != icons_map.end()) {
+      return persistent_icon_it->second;
+    }
+  }
+
   auto default_icon_it = icons_map.find("default");
   if (default_icon_it != icons_map.end()) {
     return default_icon_it->second;
@@ -253,12 +403,12 @@ std::string &Workspace::select_icon(std::map<std::string, std::string> &icons_ma
 
 auto Workspace::handle_clicked(GdkEventButton *bt) -> bool {
   try {
-    if (id() > 0) {  // normal
+    if (id() > 0) {  // normal or numbered persistent
       gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch workspace " + std::to_string(id()));
-    } else if (!is_special()) {  // named normal
-      gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch workspace name" + name());
+    } else if (!is_special()) {  // named
+      gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch workspace name:" + name());
     } else if (id() != -99) {  // named special
-      gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch togglespecialworkspace name" + name());
+      gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch togglespecialworkspace " + name());
     } else {  // special
       gIPC->getSocket1Reply("dispatch togglespecialworkspace");
     }