feat(wm): use ghost windows for movement animations

This commit tries to render move/resize animations on a DWM-thumbnail
"ghost" window instead of calling MoveWindow per-frame on the real HWND.

The source is cloaked via IApplicationView::SetCloak, the thumbnail is
animated via DwmUpdateThumbnailProperties on a layered host owned by a
single "ghost owner" thread, the border for the source follows the
lerped rect via a new WM_ANIMATE_RECT message handled on the border's
own WndProc thread (preserving today's per-frame border tracking), and
the real SetWindowPos happens once at the end of the animation.

Apps repaint exactly once per animation instead of N times, which is a
substantial win for heavy renderers (browsers, IDEs, Office). For
non-Chromium sources the source is also pre-positioned to target_rect
before the thumbnail is registered so the captured texture is target-
sized and downscales to native 1:1 at the end of the animation rather
than upscaling to a stretched/blurry final frame.

Chromium-shell sources  skip the pre-paint step: their
NativeWindowOcclusionTrackerWin reads DWMWA_CLOAKED and treats any cloak
value as hidden, suspending the renderer; WM_SIZE while cloaked produces
no new frame and the post-uncloak swap chain shows stale or black
content.

For those apps we keep the source cloaked at start_rect for the whole
animation and do the SetWindowPos in post_render after uncloak, where
the visibility flip is what wakes Viz back up.

A short ease-in opacity crossfade in post_render masks the texture
transition for the Chromium path and gives slow renderers time to
present their first post-resize frame before the overlay is removed.

Cargo.lock

@@ -3168,7 +3168,7 @@ checksum = "e2db585e1d738fc771bf08a151420d3ed193d9d895a36df7f6f8a9456b911ddc"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "base64",
  "bitflags 2.11.1",
@@ -3219,7 +3219,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi-bar"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "chrono-tz",
@@ -3263,7 +3263,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi-client"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "komorebi",
  "serde_json_lenient",
@@ -3272,7 +3272,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi-gui"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "eframe",
  "egui_extras",
@@ -3285,7 +3285,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi-layouts"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "clap",
  "color-eyre",
@@ -3311,7 +3311,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebi-themes"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "base16-egui-themes",
  "catppuccin-egui",
@@ -3326,7 +3326,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebic"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "clap",
@@ -3354,7 +3354,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "komorebic-no-console"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "konst"

komorebi-bar/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi-bar"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 edition = "2024"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html

komorebi-bar/src/config.rs

@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use std::path::PathBuf;
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", derive(schemars::JsonSchema))]
-/// The `komorebi.bar.json` configuration file reference for `v0.1.41`
+/// The `komorebi.bar.json` configuration file reference for `v0.1.42`
 pub struct KomobarConfig {
     /// Bar height
     #[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", schemars(extend("default" = 50)))]

komorebi-client/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi-client"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 edition = "2024"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html

komorebi-gui/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi-gui"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 edition = "2024"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html

komorebi-layouts/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi-layouts"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]

komorebi-themes/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi-themes"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 edition = "2024"
 
 [dependencies]

komorebi/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebi"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 description = "A tiling window manager for Windows"
 repository = "https://github.com/LGUG2Z/komorebi"
 edition = "2024"

komorebi/src/animation/engine.rs

@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ impl AnimationEngine {
                 {
                     // cancel animation
                     ANIMATION_MANAGER.lock().cancel(animation_key.as_str());
+                    render_dispatcher.cleanup_on_cancel();
                     return Ok(());
                 }
 

komorebi/src/animation/ghost.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,363 @@
+use color_eyre::eyre;
+use crossbeam_channel::Sender;
+use crossbeam_channel::bounded;
+use crossbeam_channel::unbounded;
+use std::sync::OnceLock;
+use std::time::Duration;
+use windows::Win32::Foundation::HWND;
+use windows::Win32::Foundation::LPARAM;
+use windows::Win32::Foundation::LRESULT;
+use windows::Win32::Foundation::RECT;
+use windows::Win32::Foundation::WPARAM;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_TNP_OPACITY;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_TNP_RECTDESTINATION;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_TNP_SOURCECLIENTAREAONLY;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_TNP_VISIBLE;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::DefWindowProcW;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::DestroyWindow;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::DispatchMessageW;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::HWND_TOP;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::MSG;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::PM_REMOVE;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::PeekMessageW;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SET_WINDOW_POS_FLAGS;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SHOW_WINDOW_CMD;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SWP_NOACTIVATE;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SWP_NOREDRAW;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SWP_NOZORDER;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SWP_SHOWWINDOW;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::SetWindowPos;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::ShowWindow;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::TranslateMessage;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WNDCLASSW;
+use windows::core::PCWSTR;
+
+use crate::WindowsApi;
+use crate::core::Rect;
+use crate::windows_api;
+
+const GHOST_CLASS_NAME: &[u16] = &[
+    b'k' as u16,
+    b'o' as u16,
+    b'm' as u16,
+    b'o' as u16,
+    b'r' as u16,
+    b'e' as u16,
+    b'b' as u16,
+    b'i' as u16,
+    b'-' as u16,
+    b'g' as u16,
+    b'h' as u16,
+    b'o' as u16,
+    b's' as u16,
+    b't' as u16,
+    0,
+];
+
+enum GhostCmd {
+    Create {
+        src_hwnd: isize,
+        start_rect: Rect,
+        z_above: Option<isize>,
+        reply: Sender<eyre::Result<(isize, isize)>>,
+    },
+    UpdateRect {
+        host_hwnd: isize,
+        hthumb: isize,
+        rect: Rect,
+    },
+    Destroy {
+        host_hwnd: isize,
+        hthumb: isize,
+    },
+}
+
+struct GhostOwner {
+    cmd_tx: Sender<GhostCmd>,
+}
+
+static GHOST_OWNER: OnceLock<GhostOwner> = OnceLock::new();
+
+fn ghost_owner() -> &'static GhostOwner {
+    GHOST_OWNER.get_or_init(|| {
+        let (tx, rx) = unbounded::<GhostCmd>();
+        std::thread::Builder::new()
+            .name("komorebi-ghost-owner".into())
+            .spawn(move || run_owner_loop(rx))
+            .expect("failed to spawn ghost owner thread");
+        GhostOwner { cmd_tx: tx }
+    })
+}
+
+/// Eagerly initialise the ghost owner thread so the first movement animation
+/// doesn't pay the spawn + class-registration cost. Idempotent. No-op for
+/// users who never enable ghost movement only if it isn't called; calling
+/// from a code path that's gated on `GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED` keeps the lazy
+/// guarantee.
+pub fn prewarm() {
+    let _ = ghost_owner();
+}
+
+extern "system" fn ghost_wnd_proc(hwnd: HWND, msg: u32, wparam: WPARAM, lparam: LPARAM) -> LRESULT {
+    unsafe { DefWindowProcW(hwnd, msg, wparam, lparam) }
+}
+
+fn register_ghost_class() -> eyre::Result<()> {
+    let h_module = WindowsApi::module_handle_w()?;
+    let class_name = PCWSTR(GHOST_CLASS_NAME.as_ptr());
+    let window_class = WNDCLASSW {
+        hInstance: h_module.into(),
+        lpszClassName: class_name,
+        lpfnWndProc: Some(ghost_wnd_proc),
+        ..Default::default()
+    };
+    // RegisterClassW returns 0 on failure with ERROR_CLASS_ALREADY_EXISTS as a
+    // benign error if the class is already registered. We tolerate that.
+    let _ = WindowsApi::register_class_w(&window_class);
+    Ok(())
+}
+
+fn run_owner_loop(cmd_rx: crossbeam_channel::Receiver<GhostCmd>) {
+    if let Err(error) = register_ghost_class() {
+        tracing::error!("ghost owner: failed to register class: {error}");
+        return;
+    }
+
+    loop {
+        // Drain any pending Win32 messages (DWM/system messages destined for our hosts).
+        unsafe {
+            let mut msg = MSG::default();
+            while PeekMessageW(&mut msg, None, 0, 0, PM_REMOVE).as_bool() {
+                let _ = TranslateMessage(&msg);
+                DispatchMessageW(&msg);
+            }
+        }
+
+        match cmd_rx.recv_timeout(Duration::from_millis(8)) {
+            Ok(cmd) => handle_cmd(cmd),
+            Err(crossbeam_channel::RecvTimeoutError::Timeout) => continue,
+            Err(crossbeam_channel::RecvTimeoutError::Disconnected) => break,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn handle_cmd(cmd: GhostCmd) {
+    match cmd {
+        GhostCmd::Create {
+            src_hwnd,
+            start_rect,
+            z_above,
+            reply,
+        } => {
+            let result = create_ghost(src_hwnd, start_rect, z_above);
+            let _ = reply.send(result);
+        }
+        GhostCmd::UpdateRect {
+            host_hwnd,
+            hthumb,
+            rect,
+        } => {
+            if let Err(error) = update_ghost(host_hwnd, hthumb, rect) {
+                tracing::trace!("ghost owner: update failed: {error}");
+            }
+        }
+        GhostCmd::Destroy { host_hwnd, hthumb } => {
+            destroy_ghost(host_hwnd, hthumb);
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+fn instance_handle() -> eyre::Result<isize> {
+    let h_module = WindowsApi::module_handle_w()?;
+    Ok(h_module.0 as isize)
+}
+
+fn create_ghost(
+    src_hwnd: isize,
+    start_rect: Rect,
+    z_above: Option<isize>,
+) -> eyre::Result<(isize, isize)> {
+    let class_name = PCWSTR(GHOST_CLASS_NAME.as_ptr());
+    let host_hwnd = WindowsApi::create_ghost_host_window(class_name, instance_handle()?)?;
+
+    // Position the host at start_rect (Rect uses left/top + width/height).
+    let z_after = match z_above {
+        Some(hwnd) => HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(hwnd)),
+        None => HWND_TOP,
+    };
+    let flags = SWP_NOACTIVATE | SWP_NOREDRAW | SWP_SHOWWINDOW;
+    unsafe {
+        let _ = SetWindowPos(
+            HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)),
+            Option::from(z_after),
+            start_rect.left,
+            start_rect.top,
+            start_rect.right,
+            start_rect.bottom,
+            flags,
+        );
+    }
+
+    let hthumb = match WindowsApi::dwm_register_thumbnail(host_hwnd, src_hwnd) {
+        Ok(h) => h,
+        Err(error) => {
+            unsafe {
+                let _ = DestroyWindow(HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)));
+            }
+            return Err(error);
+        }
+    };
+
+    let props = thumbnail_properties(start_rect.right, start_rect.bottom);
+    if let Err(error) = WindowsApi::dwm_update_thumbnail_properties(hthumb, &props) {
+        let _ = WindowsApi::dwm_unregister_thumbnail(hthumb);
+        unsafe {
+            let _ = DestroyWindow(HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)));
+        }
+        return Err(error);
+    }
+
+    // Make the host visible. Layered/transparent ext styles ensure no input.
+    unsafe {
+        let _ = ShowWindow(
+            HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)),
+            SHOW_WINDOW_CMD(8), // SW_SHOWNA
+        );
+    }
+
+    Ok((host_hwnd, hthumb))
+}
+
+fn update_ghost(host_hwnd: isize, hthumb: isize, rect: Rect) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+    let flags: SET_WINDOW_POS_FLAGS = SWP_NOACTIVATE | SWP_NOZORDER | SWP_NOREDRAW;
+    unsafe {
+        SetWindowPos(
+            HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)),
+            None,
+            rect.left,
+            rect.top,
+            rect.right,
+            rect.bottom,
+            flags,
+        )?;
+    }
+
+    let props = thumbnail_properties(rect.right, rect.bottom);
+    WindowsApi::dwm_update_thumbnail_properties(hthumb, &props)
+}
+
+fn destroy_ghost(host_hwnd: isize, hthumb: isize) {
+    let _ = WindowsApi::dwm_unregister_thumbnail(hthumb);
+    unsafe {
+        let _ = DestroyWindow(HWND(windows_api::as_ptr!(host_hwnd)));
+    }
+}
+
+fn thumbnail_properties(width: i32, height: i32) -> DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES {
+    DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES {
+        dwFlags: DWM_TNP_VISIBLE
+            | DWM_TNP_RECTDESTINATION
+            | DWM_TNP_OPACITY
+            | DWM_TNP_SOURCECLIENTAREAONLY,
+        rcDestination: RECT {
+            left: 0,
+            top: 0,
+            right: width,
+            bottom: height,
+        },
+        rcSource: RECT::default(),
+        opacity: 255,
+        fVisible: true.into(),
+        fSourceClientAreaOnly: false.into(),
+    }
+}
+
+/// A live DWM-thumbnail "ghost" of a source window, used during movement
+/// animations. While a ghost is active, the source window is typically cloaked
+/// by the caller. The ghost is automatically disposed on drop, but callers
+/// should prefer explicit `dispose()` to surface errors.
+pub struct GhostWindow {
+    host_hwnd: isize,
+    hthumb: isize,
+    disposed: bool,
+}
+
+impl GhostWindow {
+    pub fn create(src_hwnd: isize, start_rect: Rect, z_above: Option<isize>) -> eyre::Result<Self> {
+        let (reply_tx, reply_rx) = bounded::<eyre::Result<(isize, isize)>>(1);
+        ghost_owner()
+            .cmd_tx
+            .send(GhostCmd::Create {
+                src_hwnd,
+                start_rect,
+                z_above,
+                reply: reply_tx,
+            })
+            .map_err(|e| eyre::eyre!("ghost owner channel send failed: {e}"))?;
+        let (host_hwnd, hthumb) = reply_rx.recv()??;
+        Ok(Self {
+            host_hwnd,
+            hthumb,
+            disposed: false,
+        })
+    }
+
+    pub fn host_hwnd(&self) -> isize {
+        self.host_hwnd
+    }
+
+    pub fn update_rect(&self, rect: Rect) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        ghost_owner()
+            .cmd_tx
+            .send(GhostCmd::UpdateRect {
+                host_hwnd: self.host_hwnd,
+                hthumb: self.hthumb,
+                rect,
+            })
+            .map_err(|e| eyre::eyre!("ghost owner channel send failed: {e}"))
+    }
+
+    /// Apply an opacity change directly via `DwmUpdateThumbnailProperties` on
+    /// the calling thread. Unlike rect updates (which call `SetWindowPos` and
+    /// therefore need the owner thread), opacity-only updates don't have
+    /// thread affinity, and going through the channel introduces a race where
+    /// the next `DwmFlush()` on the caller's thread can fire before the owner
+    /// has processed the SetOpacity command — which collapses what should be
+    /// a multi-frame fade into a single visible step.
+    pub fn set_opacity(&self, opacity: u8) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        let props = DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES {
+            dwFlags: DWM_TNP_OPACITY | DWM_TNP_VISIBLE,
+            rcDestination: RECT::default(),
+            rcSource: RECT::default(),
+            opacity,
+            fVisible: true.into(),
+            fSourceClientAreaOnly: false.into(),
+        };
+        WindowsApi::dwm_update_thumbnail_properties(self.hthumb, &props)
+    }
+
+    pub fn dispose(mut self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        self.dispose_inner()
+    }
+
+    fn dispose_inner(&mut self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        if self.disposed {
+            return Ok(());
+        }
+        self.disposed = true;
+        ghost_owner()
+            .cmd_tx
+            .send(GhostCmd::Destroy {
+                host_hwnd: self.host_hwnd,
+                hthumb: self.hthumb,
+            })
+            .map_err(|e| eyre::eyre!("ghost owner channel send failed: {e}"))
+    }
+}
+
+impl Drop for GhostWindow {
+    fn drop(&mut self) {
+        let _ = self.dispose_inner();
+    }
+}

komorebi/src/animation/mod.rs

@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ use parking_lot::Mutex;
 pub use engine::AnimationEngine;
 pub mod animation_manager;
 pub mod engine;
+pub mod ghost;
 pub mod lerp;
 pub mod prefix;
 pub mod render_dispatcher;
@@ -59,6 +60,7 @@ pub const DEFAULT_ANIMATION_ENABLED: bool = false;
 pub const DEFAULT_ANIMATION_STYLE: AnimationStyle = AnimationStyle::Linear;
 pub const DEFAULT_ANIMATION_DURATION: u64 = 250;
 pub const DEFAULT_ANIMATION_FPS: u64 = 60;
+pub const DEFAULT_GHOST_MOVEMENT: bool = true;
 
 lazy_static! {
     pub static ref ANIMATION_MANAGER: Arc<Mutex<AnimationManager>> =
@@ -78,3 +80,4 @@ lazy_static! {
 }
 
 pub static ANIMATION_FPS: AtomicU64 = AtomicU64::new(DEFAULT_ANIMATION_FPS);
+pub static GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED: AtomicBool = AtomicBool::new(DEFAULT_GHOST_MOVEMENT);

komorebi/src/animation/render_dispatcher.rs

@@ -5,4 +5,10 @@ pub trait RenderDispatcher {
     fn pre_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()>;
     fn render(&self, delta: f64) -> eyre::Result<()>;
     fn post_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()>;
+
+    /// Called by the animation engine when an in-flight animation is cancelled
+    /// before it could complete. Implementors should use this to release any
+    /// resources allocated in `pre_render` and bring the underlying window
+    /// back to a consistent visible state. Default: no-op.
+    fn cleanup_on_cancel(&self) {}
 }

komorebi/src/border_manager/border.rs

@@ -78,6 +78,11 @@ use windows_numerics::Matrix3x2;
 /// avoiding a data race between the border manager thread and the border's message loop thread.
 pub const WM_UPDATE_BRUSHES: u32 = WM_USER + 1;
 
+/// Custom WM_USER message used to drive the border in lockstep with an active
+/// movement animation. lparam carries a `Box<Rect>` ownership transfer that the
+/// receiving WndProc reclaims and applies as the new tracked rect.
+pub const WM_ANIMATE_RECT: u32 = WM_USER + 2;
+
 pub struct RenderFactory(ID2D1Factory);
 unsafe impl Sync for RenderFactory {}
 unsafe impl Send for RenderFactory {}
@@ -106,6 +111,98 @@ static BRUSH_PROPERTIES: LazyLock<D2D1_BRUSH_PROPERTIES> =
         transform: Matrix3x2::identity(),
     });
 
+/// Apply a new tracked rect to the border on its own message-loop thread.
+/// Updates `window_rect`, calls `set_position`, and re-renders if size/position
+/// changed. Used by both `EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE` (real window movements)
+/// and `WM_ANIMATE_RECT` (animation-driven movements while the source is cloaked).
+///
+/// SAFETY: caller must ensure `border_pointer` is non-null, points to a live
+/// `Border`, and that we are running on the border's WndProc thread.
+unsafe fn apply_tracked_rect(border_pointer: *mut Border, rect: Rect) {
+    unsafe {
+        let reference_hwnd = (*border_pointer).tracking_hwnd;
+        let old_rect = (*border_pointer).window_rect;
+        (*border_pointer).window_rect = rect;
+
+        if let Err(error) = (*border_pointer).set_position(&rect, reference_hwnd) {
+            tracing::error!("failed to update border position {error}");
+        }
+
+        if (rect.is_same_size_as(&old_rect) && rect.has_same_position_as(&old_rect))
+            || (*border_pointer).render_target.is_none()
+        {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        // double-check destruction flag before rendering
+        if (*border_pointer).is_destroying.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        let render_target = match (*border_pointer).render_target.as_ref() {
+            Some(rt) => rt,
+            None => return,
+        };
+
+        let border_width = (*border_pointer).width;
+        let border_offset = (*border_pointer).offset;
+
+        (*border_pointer).rounded_rect.rect = D2D_RECT_F {
+            left: (border_width / 2 - border_offset) as f32,
+            top: (border_width / 2 - border_offset) as f32,
+            right: (rect.right - border_width / 2 + border_offset) as f32,
+            bottom: (rect.bottom - border_width / 2 + border_offset) as f32,
+        };
+
+        let _ = render_target.Resize(&D2D_SIZE_U {
+            width: rect.right as u32,
+            height: rect.bottom as u32,
+        });
+
+        let window_kind = (*border_pointer).window_kind;
+        let Some(brush) = (*border_pointer).brushes.get(&window_kind) else {
+            return;
+        };
+
+        render_target.BeginDraw();
+        render_target.Clear(None);
+
+        let style = match (*border_pointer).style {
+            BorderStyle::System => {
+                if *WINDOWS_11 {
+                    BorderStyle::Rounded
+                } else {
+                    BorderStyle::Square
+                }
+            }
+            BorderStyle::Rounded => BorderStyle::Rounded,
+            BorderStyle::Square => BorderStyle::Square,
+        };
+
+        match style {
+            BorderStyle::Rounded => {
+                render_target.DrawRoundedRectangle(
+                    &(*border_pointer).rounded_rect,
+                    brush,
+                    border_width as f32,
+                    None,
+                );
+            }
+            BorderStyle::Square => {
+                render_target.DrawRectangle(
+                    &(*border_pointer).rounded_rect.rect,
+                    brush,
+                    border_width as f32,
+                    None,
+                );
+            }
+            _ => {}
+        }
+
+        let _ = render_target.EndDraw(None, None);
+    }
+}
+
 pub extern "system" fn border_hwnds(hwnd: HWND, lparam: LPARAM) -> BOOL {
     let hwnds = unsafe { &mut *(lparam.0 as *mut Vec<isize>) };
     let hwnd = hwnd.0 as isize;
@@ -349,6 +446,29 @@ impl Border {
         };
     }
 
+    /// Drive the border to follow `rect` during a movement animation. Hands
+    /// ownership of a boxed `Rect` to the border's message-loop thread via
+    /// `WM_ANIMATE_RECT`, which mirrors the redraw path normally driven by
+    /// `EVENT_OBJECT_LOCATIONCHANGE` on the real source window.
+    pub fn animate_to(&self, rect: Rect) {
+        let boxed = Box::new(rect);
+        let ptr = Box::into_raw(boxed);
+        let posted = unsafe {
+            PostMessageW(
+                Option::from(self.hwnd()),
+                WM_ANIMATE_RECT,
+                WPARAM(0),
+                LPARAM(ptr as isize),
+            )
+        };
+        if posted.is_err() {
+            // Reclaim the box on failure to avoid leaking.
+            unsafe {
+                drop(Box::from_raw(ptr));
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     pub fn set_position(&self, rect: &Rect, reference_hwnd: isize) -> color_eyre::Result<()> {
         let mut rect = *rect;
         rect.add_margin(self.width);
@@ -419,81 +539,24 @@ impl Border {
                     }
 
                     let reference_hwnd = (*border_pointer).tracking_hwnd;
-
-                    let old_rect = (*border_pointer).window_rect;
                     let rect = WindowsApi::window_rect(reference_hwnd).unwrap_or_default();
+                    apply_tracked_rect(border_pointer, rect);
+                    LRESULT(0)
+                }
+                WM_ANIMATE_RECT => {
+                    // lparam carries an owned Box<Rect> from the animation thread.
+                    let rect_box = Box::from_raw(lparam.0 as *mut Rect);
+                    let border_pointer: *mut Border = GetWindowLongPtrW(window, GWLP_USERDATA) as _;
 
-                    (*border_pointer).window_rect = rect;
-
-                    if let Err(error) = (*border_pointer).set_position(&rect, reference_hwnd) {
-                        tracing::error!("failed to update border position {error}");
+                    if border_pointer.is_null() {
+                        return LRESULT(0);
                     }
 
-                    if (!rect.is_same_size_as(&old_rect) || !rect.has_same_position_as(&old_rect))
-                        && let Some(render_target) = (*border_pointer).render_target.as_ref()
-                    {
-                        // double-check destruction flag before rendering
-                        if (*border_pointer).is_destroying.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
-                            return LRESULT(0);
-                        }
-
-                        let border_width = (*border_pointer).width;
-                        let border_offset = (*border_pointer).offset;
-
-                        (*border_pointer).rounded_rect.rect = D2D_RECT_F {
-                            left: (border_width / 2 - border_offset) as f32,
-                            top: (border_width / 2 - border_offset) as f32,
-                            right: (rect.right - border_width / 2 + border_offset) as f32,
-                            bottom: (rect.bottom - border_width / 2 + border_offset) as f32,
-                        };
-
-                        let _ = render_target.Resize(&D2D_SIZE_U {
-                            width: rect.right as u32,
-                            height: rect.bottom as u32,
-                        });
-
-                        let window_kind = (*border_pointer).window_kind;
-                        if let Some(brush) = (*border_pointer).brushes.get(&window_kind) {
-                            render_target.BeginDraw();
-                            render_target.Clear(None);
-
-                            // Calculate border radius based on style
-                            let style = match (*border_pointer).style {
-                                BorderStyle::System => {
-                                    if *WINDOWS_11 {
-                                        BorderStyle::Rounded
-                                    } else {
-                                        BorderStyle::Square
-                                    }
-                                }
-                                BorderStyle::Rounded => BorderStyle::Rounded,
-                                BorderStyle::Square => BorderStyle::Square,
-                            };
-
-                            match style {
-                                BorderStyle::Rounded => {
-                                    render_target.DrawRoundedRectangle(
-                                        &(*border_pointer).rounded_rect,
-                                        brush,
-                                        border_width as f32,
-                                        None,
-                                    );
-                                }
-                                BorderStyle::Square => {
-                                    render_target.DrawRectangle(
-                                        &(*border_pointer).rounded_rect.rect,
-                                        brush,
-                                        border_width as f32,
-                                        None,
-                                    );
-                                }
-                                _ => {}
-                            }
-
-                            let _ = render_target.EndDraw(None, None);
-                        }
+                    if (*border_pointer).is_destroying.load(Ordering::Acquire) {
+                        return LRESULT(0);
                     }
 
+                    apply_tracked_rect(border_pointer, *rect_box);
                     LRESULT(0)
                 }
                 WM_PAINT => {

komorebi/src/border_manager/mod.rs

@@ -113,6 +113,20 @@ pub fn window_border(hwnd: isize) -> Option<BorderInfo> {
     })
 }
 
+/// Drive the border that tracks `source_hwnd` to follow `rect`. No-op when no
+/// border is registered for the source window. Used by movement animations to
+/// keep the border visually in sync while the source window is cloaked.
+pub fn animate_to(source_hwnd: isize, rect: crate::core::Rect) {
+    let border_id = match WINDOWS_BORDERS.lock().get(&source_hwnd).cloned() {
+        Some(id) => id,
+        None => return,
+    };
+    let state = BORDER_STATE.lock();
+    if let Some(border) = state.get(&border_id) {
+        border.animate_to(rect);
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn send_notification(hwnd: Option<isize>) {
     if event_tx().try_send(Notification::Update(hwnd)).is_err() {
         tracing::warn!("channel is full; dropping notification")

komorebi/src/static_config.rs

@@ -39,6 +39,8 @@ use crate::animation::ANIMATION_FPS;
 use crate::animation::ANIMATION_STYLE_GLOBAL;
 use crate::animation::ANIMATION_STYLE_PER_ANIMATION;
 use crate::animation::DEFAULT_ANIMATION_FPS;
+use crate::animation::DEFAULT_GHOST_MOVEMENT;
+use crate::animation::GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED;
 use crate::animation::PerAnimationPrefixConfig;
 use crate::asc::ApplicationSpecificConfiguration;
 use crate::asc::AscApplicationRulesOrSchema;
@@ -475,7 +477,7 @@ pub enum AppSpecificConfigurationPath {
 #[serde_with::serde_as]
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize, PartialEq)]
 #[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", derive(schemars::JsonSchema))]
-/// The `komorebi.json` static configuration file reference for `v0.1.41`
+/// The `komorebi.json` static configuration file reference for `v0.1.42`
 pub struct StaticConfig {
     /// DEPRECATED from v0.1.22: no longer required
     #[deprecated(note = "No longer required")]
@@ -695,6 +697,11 @@ pub struct AnimationsConfig {
     #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
     #[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", schemars(extend("default" = ANIMATION_FPS)))]
     pub fps: Option<u64>,
+    /// Render movement animations on a GPU-composited ghost surface (recommended).
+    /// When false, falls back to the legacy per-frame MoveWindow path.
+    #[serde(skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    #[cfg_attr(feature = "schemars", schemars(extend("default" = true)))]
+    pub ghost_movement: Option<bool>,
 }
 
 pub use komorebi_themes::KomorebiTheme;
@@ -1022,6 +1029,17 @@ impl StaticConfig {
                 animations.fps.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_ANIMATION_FPS),
                 Ordering::SeqCst,
             );
+
+            let ghost_movement_enabled =
+                animations.ghost_movement.unwrap_or(DEFAULT_GHOST_MOVEMENT);
+            GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED.store(ghost_movement_enabled, Ordering::SeqCst);
+            if ghost_movement_enabled {
+                // Spawn the ghost owner thread now so the first animation
+                // doesn't pay the spawn + wndclass-registration cost. Lazy
+                // guarantee preserved: users who turn ghost_movement off
+                // never trigger this path, so the thread is never created.
+                crate::animation::ghost::prewarm();
+            }
         }
 
         if let Some(container) = self.default_container_padding {

komorebi/src/window.rs

@@ -20,7 +20,9 @@ use crate::animation::ANIMATION_MANAGER;
 use crate::animation::ANIMATION_STYLE_GLOBAL;
 use crate::animation::ANIMATION_STYLE_PER_ANIMATION;
 use crate::animation::AnimationEngine;
+use crate::animation::GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED;
 use crate::animation::RenderDispatcher;
+use crate::animation::ghost::GhostWindow;
 use crate::animation::lerp::Lerp;
 use crate::animation::prefix::AnimationPrefix;
 use crate::animation::prefix::new_animation_key;
@@ -42,6 +44,7 @@ use crate::windows_api;
 use crate::windows_api::WindowsApi;
 use color_eyre::eyre;
 use crossbeam_utils::atomic::AtomicConsume;
+use parking_lot::Mutex;
 use regex::Regex;
 use serde::Deserialize;
 use serde::Serialize;
@@ -52,6 +55,7 @@ use std::convert::TryFrom;
 use std::fmt::Display;
 use std::fmt::Formatter;
 use std::fmt::Write as _;
+use std::sync::atomic::AtomicBool;
 use std::sync::atomic::AtomicI32;
 use std::sync::atomic::Ordering;
 use std::thread;
@@ -165,6 +169,18 @@ struct MovementRenderDispatcher {
     target_rect: Rect,
     top: bool,
     style: AnimationStyle,
+    /// Some between successful pre_render and post_render/cleanup_on_cancel when
+    /// ghost movement is active. None for the legacy code path.
+    ghost: Mutex<Option<GhostWindow>>,
+    /// Tracks whether the source has been cloaked so cleanup can uncloak idempotently.
+    cloaked: AtomicBool,
+    /// Last lerped logical rect actually applied; used by cleanup_on_cancel to
+    /// snap the real window to the position the user was last seeing.
+    last_animated_rect: Mutex<Rect>,
+    /// True when pre_render successfully repositioned the source to target_rect
+    /// before registering the thumbnail. In that case post_render must skip
+    /// the final position_window since the source is already there.
+    pre_painted: AtomicBool,
 }
 
 impl MovementRenderDispatcher {
@@ -183,37 +199,33 @@ impl MovementRenderDispatcher {
             target_rect,
             top,
             style,
+            ghost: Mutex::new(None),
+            cloaked: AtomicBool::new(false),
+            last_animated_rect: Mutex::new(start_rect),
+            pre_painted: AtomicBool::new(false),
         }
     }
-}
 
-impl RenderDispatcher for MovementRenderDispatcher {
-    fn get_animation_key(&self) -> String {
-        new_animation_key(MovementRenderDispatcher::PREFIX, self.hwnd.to_string())
+    fn use_ghost(&self) -> bool {
+        GHOST_MOVEMENT_ENABLED.load(Ordering::Relaxed)
     }
 
-    fn pre_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
-        stackbar_manager::STACKBAR_TEMPORARILY_DISABLED.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
-        stackbar_manager::send_notification();
-
-        Ok(())
+    /// Chromium / Electron windows expose a top-level class beginning with
+    /// `Chrome_WidgetWin_`. Their renderer pipeline is suspended whenever
+    /// `NativeWindowOcclusionTrackerWin` reads any non-zero `DWMWA_CLOAKED`
+    /// state on the HWND, so the pre-paint trick (cloak → SetWindowPos →
+    /// capture) leaves the DComp swap chain stale and the post-uncloak frame
+    /// shows half-painted / black regions. For these apps we fall back to
+    /// capture-at-start: keep the source cloaked at start_rect for the whole
+    /// animation and only move it to target in post_render, where the
+    /// uncloak is the visibility flip that wakes Viz back up.
+    fn source_is_chromium_shell(&self) -> bool {
+        WindowsApi::real_window_class_w(self.hwnd)
+            .map(|class| class.starts_with("Chrome_WidgetWin_"))
+            .unwrap_or(false)
     }
 
-    fn render(&self, progress: f64) -> eyre::Result<()> {
-        let new_rect = self.start_rect.lerp(self.target_rect, progress, self.style);
-
-        // we don't check WINDOW_HANDLING_BEHAVIOUR here because animations
-        // are always run on a separate thread
-        WindowsApi::move_window(self.hwnd, &new_rect, false)?;
-        WindowsApi::invalidate_rect(self.hwnd, None, false);
-
-        Ok(())
-    }
-
-    fn post_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
-        // we don't add the async_window_pos flag here because animations
-        // are always run on a separate thread
-        WindowsApi::position_window(self.hwnd, &self.target_rect, self.top, false)?;
+    fn finalise_managers(&self) {
         if ANIMATION_MANAGER
             .lock()
             .count_in_progress(MovementRenderDispatcher::PREFIX)
@@ -228,9 +240,202 @@ impl RenderDispatcher for MovementRenderDispatcher {
             stackbar_manager::send_notification();
             transparency_manager::send_notification();
         }
+    }
+}
+
+impl RenderDispatcher for MovementRenderDispatcher {
+    fn get_animation_key(&self) -> String {
+        new_animation_key(MovementRenderDispatcher::PREFIX, self.hwnd.to_string())
+    }
+
+    fn pre_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        stackbar_manager::STACKBAR_TEMPORARILY_DISABLED.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+        stackbar_manager::send_notification();
+
+        if self.use_ghost() {
+            let is_chromium = self.source_is_chromium_shell();
+
+            // The ghost host is sized to the LOGICAL rect (visible content
+            // area). DWM thumbnails capture the source at its
+            // DWMWA_EXTENDED_FRAME_BOUNDS extents (visible content), not
+            // GetWindowRect outer extents that include the drop-shadow
+            // margin. Sizing the host to outer dims would stretch the
+            // visible-content texture by the shadow ratio.
+            //
+            // Place the ghost in z-order immediately above the source so
+            // multiple simultaneously animating windows (workspace switches,
+            // layout flips) keep the same relative stacking as their
+            // sources rather than all piling up at HWND_TOP in creation
+            // order.
+            //
+            // For non-Chromium sources we ALSO pre-position the source to
+            // target_rect *before* registering the thumbnail, so the
+            // captured pixels reflect target-dimensioned content. The ghost
+            // dest then animates start → target with the texture
+            // downscaling to native 1:1 at the end — crisp final frame
+            // instead of an upscaled blur. For Chromium we skip pre-paint
+            // (see `source_is_chromium_shell`).
+            //
+            // DwmSetWindowAttribute(DWMWA_CLOAK) is rejected with
+            // E_ACCESSDENIED for foreign HWNDs; the undocumented
+            // IApplicationView::SetCloak path used elsewhere does not have
+            // that restriction.
+            SetCloak(Window { hwnd: self.hwnd }.hwnd(), 1, 2);
+            self.cloaked.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+
+            if !is_chromium {
+                if let Err(error) =
+                    WindowsApi::position_window(self.hwnd, &self.target_rect, self.top, false)
+                {
+                    tracing::warn!(
+                        "ghost movement: failed to pre-position hwnd {}: {error}",
+                        self.hwnd
+                    );
+                } else {
+                    // No DwmFlush here. DWM thumbnails are live: once
+                    // registered, the thumbnail surface updates as the
+                    // source paints, so the texture catches up to
+                    // target-dim content within the first frame or two of
+                    // the animation. Skipping the flush avoids a ~16ms
+                    // pre-render stall on every non-Chromium animation.
+                    self.pre_painted.store(true, Ordering::SeqCst);
+                }
+            }
+
+            match GhostWindow::create(self.hwnd, self.start_rect, Some(self.hwnd)) {
+                Ok(ghost) => {
+                    *self.ghost.lock() = Some(ghost);
+                }
+                Err(error) => {
+                    tracing::warn!(
+                        "ghost movement: failed to create ghost for hwnd {}: {error}; \
+                         uncloaking and falling back to legacy path",
+                        self.hwnd
+                    );
+                    SetCloak(Window { hwnd: self.hwnd }.hwnd(), 1, 0);
+                    self.cloaked.store(false, Ordering::SeqCst);
+                }
+            }
+        }
 
         Ok(())
     }
+
+    fn render(&self, progress: f64) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        let logical = self.start_rect.lerp(self.target_rect, progress, self.style);
+        *self.last_animated_rect.lock() = logical;
+
+        let ghost_active = self.ghost.lock().is_some();
+        if ghost_active {
+            if let Some(ghost) = self.ghost.lock().as_ref()
+                && let Err(error) = ghost.update_rect(logical)
+            {
+                tracing::trace!("ghost update_rect failed: {error}");
+            }
+            border_manager::animate_to(self.hwnd, logical);
+        } else {
+            // Legacy path: animations always run on a separate thread, so we don't
+            // gate on WINDOW_HANDLING_BEHAVIOUR here.
+            WindowsApi::move_window(self.hwnd, &logical, false)?;
+            WindowsApi::invalidate_rect(self.hwnd, None, false);
+        }
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn post_render(&self) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        let used_ghost = self.ghost.lock().is_some();
+        let pre_painted = self.pre_painted.load(Ordering::SeqCst);
+
+        // Final single SetWindowPos. For the pre-paint ghost path the source
+        // has already been moved to target_rect in pre_render and we skip
+        // this. For the Chromium ghost path (no pre-paint) the source is
+        // still cloaked at start_rect and needs to be moved here. For the
+        // legacy non-ghost path this is the original final reposition.
+        if !pre_painted {
+            WindowsApi::position_window(self.hwnd, &self.target_rect, self.top, false)?;
+        }
+
+        // Uncloak BEFORE crossfade so the real window's first post-resize
+        // frame is being composed underneath the still-visible ghost while
+        // we fade. This gives Chromium/Electron renderers time to produce a
+        // CompositorFrame at the new size — the visibility flip from
+        // cloaked-to-uncloaked is what nudges Viz to resume frame
+        // production.
+        if self.cloaked.swap(false, Ordering::SeqCst) {
+            SetCloak(Window { hwnd: self.hwnd }.hwnd(), 1, 0);
+        }
+
+        if used_ghost {
+            // Crossfade the ghost out over several DWM frames. This masks the
+            // texture mismatch (start-dim bitmap stretched vs. crisp
+            // target-dim repaint) and gives slow-to-repaint apps time to
+            // present their first post-resize frame before the overlay is
+            // removed. Mirrors KWin's geometry-effect crossfade.
+            //
+            // Ease-in curve (1 - t^3): opacity holds high for most of the
+            // fade and only drops sharply at the end. The ghost stays
+            // prominent while the real window's first few frames land
+            // underneath, so the user perceives a smooth reveal rather than
+            // a snap.
+            //
+            // We call set_opacity directly (synchronous DwmUpdateThumbnailProperties
+            // on this thread) rather than via the ghost owner channel, so
+            // each step is guaranteed to be visible before the following
+            // DwmFlush waits for the next vblank.
+            if let Some(ghost) = self.ghost.lock().as_ref() {
+                const FADE_STEPS: u32 = 8;
+                for step in 1..=FADE_STEPS {
+                    let t = step as f32 / FADE_STEPS as f32;
+                    let progress = t * t * t;
+                    #[allow(clippy::cast_possible_truncation, clippy::cast_sign_loss)]
+                    let opacity_u8 = ((1.0 - progress) * 255.0).round().clamp(0.0, 255.0) as u8;
+                    let _ = ghost.set_opacity(opacity_u8);
+                    unsafe {
+                        let _ = windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmFlush();
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+        } else {
+            // Legacy path: still benefit from one DWM frame's wait so the
+            // app's first post-move paint lands.
+            unsafe {
+                let _ = windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmFlush();
+            }
+        }
+
+        if let Some(ghost) = self.ghost.lock().take() {
+            let _ = ghost.dispose();
+        }
+
+        self.finalise_managers();
+
+        Ok(())
+    }
+
+    fn cleanup_on_cancel(&self) {
+        // Snap the real window to wherever the ghost was last drawn so the next
+        // dispatcher can capture an accurate start_rect. Then uncloak and tear
+        // down the ghost. Mirrors post_render but uses last_animated_rect.
+        let target = *self.last_animated_rect.lock();
+
+        if let Err(error) = WindowsApi::position_window(self.hwnd, &target, false, false) {
+            tracing::warn!(
+                "ghost movement cancel: failed to snap hwnd {} to last rect: {error}",
+                self.hwnd
+            );
+        }
+
+        if self.cloaked.swap(false, Ordering::SeqCst) {
+            SetCloak(Window { hwnd: self.hwnd }.hwnd(), 1, 0);
+        }
+
+        if let Some(ghost) = self.ghost.lock().take() {
+            let _ = ghost.dispose();
+        }
+
+        self.finalise_managers();
+    }
 }
 
 struct TransparencyRenderDispatcher {

komorebi/src/windows_api.rs

@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ use windows::Win32::Foundation::WPARAM;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_CLOAKED_APP;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_CLOAKED_INHERITED;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_CLOAKED_SHELL;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWA_BORDER_COLOR;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWA_CLOAKED;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWA_COLOR_NONE;
@@ -32,7 +33,10 @@ use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWA_WINDOW_CORNER_PREFERENCE;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWCP_ROUND;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DWMWINDOWATTRIBUTE;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmGetWindowAttribute;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmRegisterThumbnail;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmSetWindowAttribute;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmUnregisterThumbnail;
+use windows::Win32::Graphics::Dwm::DwmUpdateThumbnailProperties;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Gdi::CreateSolidBrush;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Gdi::EnumDisplayMonitors;
 use windows::Win32::Graphics::Gdi::GetMonitorInfoW;
@@ -144,6 +148,7 @@ use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_DISABLED;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_EX_NOACTIVATE;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_EX_TOPMOST;
+use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_EX_TRANSPARENT;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_POPUP;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WS_SYSMENU;
 use windows::Win32::UI::WindowsAndMessaging::WindowFromPoint;
@@ -1343,6 +1348,41 @@ impl WindowsApi {
         }
     }
 
+    pub fn create_ghost_host_window(name: PCWSTR, instance: isize) -> eyre::Result<isize> {
+        unsafe {
+            CreateWindowExW(
+                WS_EX_TOOLWINDOW | WS_EX_NOACTIVATE | WS_EX_TRANSPARENT,
+                name,
+                name,
+                WS_POPUP,
+                CW_USEDEFAULT,
+                CW_USEDEFAULT,
+                CW_USEDEFAULT,
+                CW_USEDEFAULT,
+                None,
+                None,
+                Option::from(HINSTANCE(as_ptr!(instance))),
+                None,
+            )?
+        }
+        .process()
+    }
+
+    pub fn dwm_register_thumbnail(dest_hwnd: isize, src_hwnd: isize) -> eyre::Result<isize> {
+        Ok(unsafe { DwmRegisterThumbnail(HWND(as_ptr!(dest_hwnd)), HWND(as_ptr!(src_hwnd))) }?)
+    }
+
+    pub fn dwm_update_thumbnail_properties(
+        hthumb: isize,
+        props: &DWM_THUMBNAIL_PROPERTIES,
+    ) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        unsafe { DwmUpdateThumbnailProperties(hthumb, props) }.map_err(Into::into)
+    }
+
+    pub fn dwm_unregister_thumbnail(hthumb: isize) -> eyre::Result<()> {
+        unsafe { DwmUnregisterThumbnail(hthumb) }.map_err(Into::into)
+    }
+
     pub fn create_hidden_window(name: PCWSTR, instance: isize) -> eyre::Result<isize> {
         unsafe {
             CreateWindowExW(

komorebic-no-console/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebic-no-console"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 description = "The command-line interface (without a console) for Komorebi, a tiling window manager for Windows"
 repository = "https://github.com/LGUG2Z/komorebi"
 edition = "2024"

komorebic/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "komorebic"
-version = "0.1.41"
+version = "0.1.42"
 description = "The command-line interface for Komorebi, a tiling window manager for Windows"
 repository = "https://github.com/LGUG2Z/komorebi"
 edition = "2024"

schema.json

@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 {
   "$schema": "https://json-schema.org/draft/2020-12/schema",
   "title": "StaticConfig",
-  "description": "The `komorebi.json` static configuration file reference for `v0.1.41`",
+  "description": "The `komorebi.json` static configuration file reference for `v0.1.42`",
   "type": "object",
   "properties": {
     "animation": {
@@ -778,6 +778,14 @@
           "default": 60,
           "minimum": 0
         },
+        "ghost_movement": {
+          "description": "Render movement animations on a GPU-composited ghost surface (recommended).\nWhen false, falls back to the legacy per-frame MoveWindow path.",
+          "type": [
+            "boolean",
+            "null"
+          ],
+          "default": true
+        },
         "style": {
           "description": "Set the animation style",
           "anyOf": [