Add Option for Simplified Layout

* the simplified layout omits the Nerdfonts characters that are not
  found in every Fontset

* add an optional config option to opt into the simplified ui
  `simplified_ui: bool`

* add a config flag that allows opting into the simplified ui
  `zellij options --simplified-ui`

* move the `clean` flag to the `setup` subcommand

default-plugins/status-bar/src/first_line.rs

@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use ansi_term::ANSIStrings;
 use zellij_tile::prelude::*;
 
 use crate::color_elements;
-use crate::{ColoredElements, LinePart, ARROW_SEPARATOR};
+use crate::{ColoredElements, LinePart};
 
 struct CtrlKeyShortcut {
     mode: CtrlKeyMode,
@@ -63,13 +63,18 @@ impl CtrlKeyShortcut {
     }
 }
 
-fn unselected_mode_shortcut(letter: char, text: &str, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn unselected_mode_shortcut(
-    let prefix_separator = palette.unselected_prefix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    letter: char,
+    text: &str,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
+    let prefix_separator = palette.unselected_prefix_separator.paint(separator);
     let char_left_separator = palette.unselected_char_left_separator.paint(" <");
     let char_shortcut = palette.unselected_char_shortcut.paint(letter.to_string());
     let char_right_separator = palette.unselected_char_right_separator.paint(">");
     let styled_text = palette.unselected_styled_text.paint(format!("{} ", text));
-    let suffix_separator = palette.unselected_suffix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let suffix_separator = palette.unselected_suffix_separator.paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: ANSIStrings(&[
             prefix_separator,
@@ -84,13 +89,18 @@ fn unselected_mode_shortcut(letter: char, text: &str, palette: ColoredElements)
     }
 }
 
-fn selected_mode_shortcut(letter: char, text: &str, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn selected_mode_shortcut(
-    let prefix_separator = palette.selected_prefix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    letter: char,
+    text: &str,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
+    let prefix_separator = palette.selected_prefix_separator.paint(separator);
     let char_left_separator = palette.selected_char_left_separator.paint(" <".to_string());
     let char_shortcut = palette.selected_char_shortcut.paint(format!("{}", letter));
     let char_right_separator = palette.selected_char_right_separator.paint(">".to_string());
     let styled_text = palette.selected_styled_text.paint(format!("{} ", text));
-    let suffix_separator = palette.selected_suffix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let suffix_separator = palette.selected_suffix_separator.paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: ANSIStrings(&[
             prefix_separator,
@@ -105,69 +115,89 @@ fn selected_mode_shortcut(letter: char, text: &str, palette: ColoredElements) ->
     }
 }
 
-fn disabled_mode_shortcut(text: &str, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn disabled_mode_shortcut(text: &str, palette: ColoredElements, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
-    let prefix_separator = palette.disabled_prefix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let prefix_separator = palette.disabled_prefix_separator.paint(separator);
     let styled_text = palette.disabled_styled_text.paint(format!("{} ", text));
-    let suffix_separator = palette.disabled_suffix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let suffix_separator = palette.disabled_suffix_separator.paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: format!("{}{}{}", prefix_separator, styled_text, suffix_separator),
         len: text.chars().count() + 2 + 1, // 2 for the arrows, 1 for the padding in the end
     }
 }
 
-fn selected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter: char, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn selected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(
+    letter: char,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     let char_shortcut_text = format!(" {} ", letter);
     let len = char_shortcut_text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for the arrows, 2 for the padding
     let prefix_separator = palette
         .selected_single_letter_prefix_separator
-        .paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+        .paint(separator);
     let char_shortcut = palette
         .selected_single_letter_char_shortcut
         .paint(char_shortcut_text);
     let suffix_separator = palette
         .selected_single_letter_suffix_separator
-        .paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+        .paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: ANSIStrings(&[prefix_separator, char_shortcut, suffix_separator]).to_string(),
         len,
     }
 }
 
-fn unselected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter: char, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn unselected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(
+    letter: char,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     let char_shortcut_text = format!(" {} ", letter);
     let len = char_shortcut_text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for the arrows, 2 for the padding
     let prefix_separator = palette
         .unselected_single_letter_prefix_separator
-        .paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+        .paint(separator);
     let char_shortcut = palette
         .unselected_single_letter_char_shortcut
         .paint(char_shortcut_text);
     let suffix_separator = palette
         .unselected_single_letter_suffix_separator
-        .paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+        .paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: ANSIStrings(&[prefix_separator, char_shortcut, suffix_separator]).to_string(),
         len,
     }
 }
 
-fn full_ctrl_key(key: &CtrlKeyShortcut, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn full_ctrl_key(key: &CtrlKeyShortcut, palette: ColoredElements, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
     let full_text = key.full_text();
     let letter_shortcut = key.letter_shortcut();
     match key.mode {
-        CtrlKeyMode::Unselected => {
+        CtrlKeyMode::Unselected => unselected_mode_shortcut(
-            unselected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &format!(" {}", full_text), palette)
+            letter_shortcut,
-        }
+            &format!(" {}", full_text),
-        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => {
+            palette,
-            selected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &format!(" {}", full_text), palette)
+            separator,
-        }
+        ),
-        CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => {
+        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => selected_mode_shortcut(
-            disabled_mode_shortcut(&format!(" <{}> {}", letter_shortcut, full_text), palette)
+            letter_shortcut,
-        }
+            &format!(" {}", full_text),
+            palette,
+            separator,
+        ),
+        CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => disabled_mode_shortcut(
+            &format!(" <{}> {}", letter_shortcut, full_text),
+            palette,
+            separator,
+        ),
     }
 }
 
-fn shortened_ctrl_key(key: &CtrlKeyShortcut, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn shortened_ctrl_key(
+    key: &CtrlKeyShortcut,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     let shortened_text = key.shortened_text();
     let letter_shortcut = key.letter_shortcut();
     let shortened_text = match key.action {
@@ -176,33 +206,47 @@ fn shortened_ctrl_key(key: &CtrlKeyShortcut, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePa
     };
     match key.mode {
         CtrlKeyMode::Unselected => {
-            unselected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &shortened_text, palette)
+            unselected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &shortened_text, palette, separator)
+        }
+        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => {
+            selected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &shortened_text, palette, separator)
         }
-        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => selected_mode_shortcut(letter_shortcut, &shortened_text, palette),
-        CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => disabled_mode_shortcut(
-            &format!(" <{}>{}", letter_shortcut, shortened_text),
-            palette,
-        ),
         CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => disabled_mode_shortcut(
             &format!(" <{}>{}", letter_shortcut, shortened_text),
             palette,
+            separator,
         ),
     }
 }
 
-fn single_letter_ctrl_key(key: &CtrlKeyShortcut, palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn single_letter_ctrl_key(
+    key: &CtrlKeyShortcut,
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     let letter_shortcut = key.letter_shortcut();
     match key.mode {
-        CtrlKeyMode::Unselected => unselected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter_shortcut, palette),
+        CtrlKeyMode::Unselected => {
-        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => selected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter_shortcut, palette),
+            unselected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter_shortcut, palette, separator)
-        CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => disabled_mode_shortcut(&format!(" {}", letter_shortcut), palette),
+        }
+        CtrlKeyMode::Selected => {
+            selected_mode_shortcut_single_letter(letter_shortcut, palette, separator)
+        }
+        CtrlKeyMode::Disabled => {
+            disabled_mode_shortcut(&format!(" {}", letter_shortcut), palette, separator)
+        }
     }
 }
 
-fn key_indicators(max_len: usize, keys: &[CtrlKeyShortcut], palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+fn key_indicators(
+    max_len: usize,
+    keys: &[CtrlKeyShortcut],
+    palette: ColoredElements,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     let mut line_part = LinePart::default();
     for ctrl_key in keys {
-        let key = full_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette);
+        let key = full_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette, separator);
         line_part.part = format!("{}{}", line_part.part, key.part);
         line_part.len += key.len;
     }
@@ -211,7 +255,7 @@ fn key_indicators(max_len: usize, keys: &[CtrlKeyShortcut], palette: ColoredElem
     }
     line_part = LinePart::default();
     for ctrl_key in keys {
-        let key = shortened_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette);
+        let key = shortened_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette, separator);
         line_part.part = format!("{}{}", line_part.part, key.part);
         line_part.len += key.len;
     }
@@ -220,7 +264,7 @@ fn key_indicators(max_len: usize, keys: &[CtrlKeyShortcut], palette: ColoredElem
     }
     line_part = LinePart::default();
     for ctrl_key in keys {
-        let key = single_letter_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette);
+        let key = single_letter_ctrl_key(ctrl_key, palette, separator);
         line_part.part = format!("{}{}", line_part.part, key.part);
         line_part.len += key.len;
     }
@@ -231,17 +275,17 @@ fn key_indicators(max_len: usize, keys: &[CtrlKeyShortcut], palette: ColoredElem
     line_part
 }
 
-pub fn superkey(palette: ColoredElements) -> LinePart {
+pub fn superkey(palette: ColoredElements, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
     let prefix_text = " Ctrl +";
     let prefix = palette.superkey_prefix.paint(prefix_text);
-    let suffix_separator = palette.superkey_suffix_separator.paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let suffix_separator = palette.superkey_suffix_separator.paint(separator);
     LinePart {
         part: ANSIStrings(&[prefix, suffix_separator]).to_string(),
         len: prefix_text.chars().count(),
     }
 }
 
-pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
+pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
     let colored_elements = color_elements(help.palette);
     match &help.mode {
         InputMode::Locked => key_indicators(
@@ -255,6 +299,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Disabled, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
         InputMode::Resize => key_indicators(
             max_len,
@@ -267,6 +312,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Unselected, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
         InputMode::Pane => key_indicators(
             max_len,
@@ -279,6 +325,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Unselected, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
         InputMode::Tab | InputMode::RenameTab => key_indicators(
             max_len,
@@ -291,6 +338,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Unselected, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
         InputMode::Scroll => key_indicators(
             max_len,
@@ -303,6 +351,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Unselected, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
         InputMode::Normal => key_indicators(
             max_len,
@@ -315,6 +364,7 @@ pub fn ctrl_keys(help: &ModeInfo, max_len: usize) -> LinePart {
                 CtrlKeyShortcut::new(CtrlKeyMode::Unselected, CtrlKeyAction::Quit),
             ],
             colored_elements,
+            separator,
         ),
     }
 }

default-plugins/status-bar/src/main.rs

@@ -140,9 +140,15 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {
     }
 
     fn render(&mut self, _rows: usize, cols: usize) {
+        let separator = if !self.mode_info.capabilities.arrow_fonts {
+            ARROW_SEPARATOR
+        } else {
+            &""
+        };
+
         let colored_elements = color_elements(self.mode_info.palette);
-        let superkey = superkey(colored_elements);
+        let superkey = superkey(colored_elements, separator);
-        let ctrl_keys = ctrl_keys(&self.mode_info, cols - superkey.len);
+        let ctrl_keys = ctrl_keys(&self.mode_info, cols - superkey.len, separator);
 
         let first_line = format!("{}{}", superkey, ctrl_keys);
         let second_line = keybinds(&self.mode_info, cols);

default-plugins/tab-bar/src/line.rs

@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ fn populate_tabs_in_tab_line(
     }
 }
 
-fn left_more_message(tab_count_to_the_left: usize, palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
+fn left_more_message(tab_count_to_the_left: usize, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
     if tab_count_to_the_left == 0 {
         return LinePart {
             part: String::new(),
@@ -62,11 +62,11 @@ fn left_more_message(tab_count_to_the_left: usize, palette: Palette) -> LinePart
     };
     // 238
     let more_text_len = more_text.chars().count() + 2; // 2 for the arrows
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.orange)
         .bold()
         .paint(more_text);
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, more_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -77,7 +77,11 @@ fn left_more_message(tab_count_to_the_left: usize, palette: Palette) -> LinePart
     }
 }
 
-fn right_more_message(tab_count_to_the_right: usize, palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
+fn right_more_message(
+    tab_count_to_the_right: usize,
+    palette: Palette,
+    separator: &str,
+) -> LinePart {
     if tab_count_to_the_right == 0 {
         return LinePart {
             part: String::new(),
@@ -90,11 +94,11 @@ fn right_more_message(tab_count_to_the_right: usize, palette: Palette) -> LinePa
         " +many → ".to_string()
     };
     let more_text_len = more_text.chars().count() + 1; // 2 for the arrow
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.orange)
         .bold()
         .paint(more_text);
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, more_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -111,14 +115,15 @@ fn add_previous_tabs_msg(
     title_bar: &mut Vec<LinePart>,
     cols: usize,
     palette: Palette,
+    separator: &str,
 ) {
     while get_current_title_len(&tabs_to_render)
-        + left_more_message(tabs_before_active.len(), palette).len
+        + left_more_message(tabs_before_active.len(), palette, separator).len
         >= cols
     {
         tabs_before_active.push(tabs_to_render.remove(0));
     }
-    let left_more_message = left_more_message(tabs_before_active.len(), palette);
+    let left_more_message = left_more_message(tabs_before_active.len(), palette, separator);
     title_bar.push(left_more_message);
 }
 
@@ -127,14 +132,15 @@ fn add_next_tabs_msg(
     title_bar: &mut Vec<LinePart>,
     cols: usize,
     palette: Palette,
+    separator: &str,
 ) {
     while get_current_title_len(&title_bar)
-        + right_more_message(tabs_after_active.len(), palette).len
+        + right_more_message(tabs_after_active.len(), palette, separator).len
         >= cols
     {
         tabs_after_active.insert(0, title_bar.pop().unwrap());
     }
-    let right_more_message = right_more_message(tabs_after_active.len(), palette);
+    let right_more_message = right_more_message(tabs_after_active.len(), palette, separator);
     title_bar.push(right_more_message);
 }
 
@@ -148,11 +154,20 @@ fn tab_line_prefix(palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
     }
 }
 
+pub fn tab_separator(capabilities: PluginCapabilities) -> &'static str {
+    if !capabilities.arrow_fonts {
+        ARROW_SEPARATOR
+    } else {
+        &""
+    }
+}
+
 pub fn tab_line(
     mut all_tabs: Vec<LinePart>,
     active_tab_index: usize,
     cols: usize,
     palette: Palette,
+    capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
 ) -> Vec<LinePart> {
     let mut tabs_to_render: Vec<LinePart> = vec![];
     let mut tabs_after_active = all_tabs.split_off(active_tab_index);
@@ -180,6 +195,7 @@ pub fn tab_line(
             &mut tab_line,
             cols - prefix.len,
             palette,
+            tab_separator(capabilities),
         );
     }
     tab_line.append(&mut tabs_to_render);
@@ -189,6 +205,7 @@ pub fn tab_line(
             &mut tab_line,
             cols - prefix.len,
             palette,
+            tab_separator(capabilities),
         );
     }
     tab_line.insert(0, prefix);

default-plugins/tab-bar/src/main.rs

@@ -60,10 +60,17 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {
                 t.position,
                 t.is_sync_panes_active,
                 self.mode_info.palette,
+                self.mode_info.capabilities,
             );
             all_tabs.push(tab);
         }
-        let tab_line = tab_line(all_tabs, active_tab_index, cols, self.mode_info.palette);
+        let tab_line = tab_line(
+            all_tabs,
+            active_tab_index,
+            cols,
+            self.mode_info.palette,
+            self.mode_info.capabilities,
+        );
         let mut s = String::new();
         for bar_part in tab_line {
             s = format!("{}{}", s, bar_part.part);

default-plugins/tab-bar/src/tab.rs

@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
-use crate::{LinePart, ARROW_SEPARATOR};
+use crate::{line::tab_separator, LinePart};
 use ansi_term::ANSIStrings;
 use zellij_tile::prelude::*;
 use zellij_tile_utils::style;
 
-pub fn active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
+pub fn active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.green).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.green).paint(separator);
     let tab_text_len = text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for left and right separators, 2 for the text padding
     let tab_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.green)
         .bold()
         .paint(format!(" {} ", text));
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.green, palette.bg).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.green, palette.bg).paint(separator);
     let tab_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, tab_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@ pub fn active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn non_active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
+pub fn non_active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).paint(separator);
     let tab_text_len = text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for left and right separators, 2 for the padding
     let tab_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.fg)
         .bold()
         .paint(format!(" {} ", text));
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.fg, palette.bg).paint(ARROW_SEPARATOR);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.fg, palette.bg).paint(separator);
     let tab_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, tab_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -43,7 +43,9 @@ pub fn tab_style(
     position: usize,
     is_sync_panes_active: bool,
     palette: Palette,
+    capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
 ) -> LinePart {
+    let separator = tab_separator(capabilities);
     let mut tab_text = if text.is_empty() {
         format!("Tab #{}", position + 1)
     } else {
@@ -53,8 +55,8 @@ pub fn tab_style(
         tab_text.push_str(" (Sync)");
     }
     if is_active_tab {
-        active_tab(tab_text, palette)
+        active_tab(tab_text, palette, separator)
     } else {
-        non_active_tab(tab_text, palette)
+        non_active_tab(tab_text, palette, separator)
     }
 }

example/config.yaml

@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 ---
 keybinds:
     normal:
+        - unbind : true
         - action: [GoToTab: 1,]
           key: [F: 1,]
         - action: [GoToTab: 2,]

example/default.yaml

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 ---
+simplified_ui: false
 keybinds:
     unbind: true
     normal:

src/cli.rs

@@ -10,6 +10,10 @@ pub struct CliArgs {
     #[structopt(long)]
     pub max_panes: Option<usize>,
 
+    /// Speficy, if a simplified layout should be used that is compatible with more fonts
+    #[structopt(long)]
+    pub simplified: bool,
+
     /// Change where zellij looks for layouts and plugins
     #[structopt(long)]
     pub data_dir: Option<PathBuf>,
@@ -36,11 +40,11 @@ pub struct CliArgs {
 #[derive(Debug, StructOpt, Clone, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum ConfigCli {
     /// Change the behaviour of zellij
-    #[structopt(name = "option")]
+    #[structopt(name = "options")]
-    Config {
+    Options {
-        /// Disables loading of configuration file at default location
         #[structopt(long)]
-        clean: bool,
+        /// Allow plugins to use a more compatible font type
+        simplified_ui: bool,
     },
 
     #[structopt(name = "generate-completion")]
@@ -48,9 +52,12 @@ pub enum ConfigCli {
 
     #[structopt(name = "setup")]
     Setup {
-        /// Disables loading of configuration file at default location
         /// Dump the default configuration file to stdout
         #[structopt(long)]
         dump_config: bool,
+        /// Disables loading of configuration file at default location,
+        /// loads the defaults that zellij ships with
+        #[structopt(long)]
+        clean: bool,
     },
 }

src/client/mod.rs

@@ -42,7 +42,11 @@ pub fn start_client(mut os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>, opts: CliArgs, config: C
 
     let full_screen_ws = os_input.get_terminal_size_using_fd(0);
     os_input.connect_to_server();
-    os_input.send_to_server(ServerInstruction::NewClient(full_screen_ws, opts));
+    os_input.send_to_server(ServerInstruction::NewClient(
+        full_screen_ws,
+        opts,
+        config.options.clone(),
+    ));
     os_input.set_raw_mode(0);
 
     let (send_client_instructions, receive_client_instructions): SyncChannelWithContext<

src/common/input/config.rs

@@ -6,10 +6,11 @@ use std::io::{self, Read};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 
 use super::keybinds::{Keybinds, KeybindsFromYaml};
+use super::options::Options;
 use crate::cli::{CliArgs, ConfigCli};
 use crate::common::setup;
 
-use serde::Deserialize;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
 
 const DEFAULT_CONFIG_FILE_NAME: &str = "config.yaml";
@@ -19,13 +20,16 @@ type ConfigResult = Result<Config, ConfigError>;
 /// Intermediate deserialization config struct
 #[derive(Debug, Deserialize)]
 pub struct ConfigFromYaml {
+    #[serde(flatten)]
+    pub options: Option<Options>,
     pub keybinds: Option<KeybindsFromYaml>,
 }
 
 /// Main configuration.
-#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Debug, Clone, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 pub struct Config {
     pub keybinds: Keybinds,
+    pub options: Options,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug)]
@@ -43,7 +47,8 @@ pub enum ConfigError {
 impl Default for Config {
     fn default() -> Self {
         let keybinds = Keybinds::default();
-        Config { keybinds }
+        let options = Options::default();
+        Config { keybinds, options }
     }
 }
 
@@ -55,7 +60,7 @@ impl TryFrom<&CliArgs> for Config {
             return Config::new(&path);
         }
 
-        if let Some(ConfigCli::Config { clean, .. }) = opts.option {
+        if let Some(ConfigCli::Setup { clean, .. }) = opts.option {
             if clean {
                 return Config::from_default_assets();
             }
@@ -84,7 +89,8 @@ impl Config {
     pub fn from_yaml(yaml_config: &str) -> ConfigResult {
         let config_from_yaml: ConfigFromYaml = serde_yaml::from_str(&yaml_config)?;
         let keybinds = Keybinds::get_default_keybinds_with_config(config_from_yaml.keybinds);
-        Ok(Config { keybinds })
+        let options = Options::from_yaml(config_from_yaml.options);
+        Ok(Config { keybinds, options })
     }
 
     /// Deserializes from given path.

src/common/input/handler.rs

@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
 use crate::CommandIsExecuting;
 
 use termion::input::{TermRead, TermReadEventsAndRaw};
-use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Key, ModeInfo, Palette};
+use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Key, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities};
 
 /// Handles the dispatching of [`Action`]s according to the current
 /// [`InputMode`], and keep tracks of the current [`InputMode`].
@@ -148,6 +148,7 @@ impl InputHandler {
 // TODO this should probably be automatically generated in some way
 pub fn get_mode_info(mode: InputMode, palette: Palette) -> ModeInfo {
     let mut keybinds: Vec<(String, String)> = vec![];
+    let capabilities = PluginCapabilities { arrow_fonts: true };
     match mode {
         InputMode::Normal | InputMode::Locked => {}
         InputMode::Resize => {
@@ -181,6 +182,7 @@ pub fn get_mode_info(mode: InputMode, palette: Palette) -> ModeInfo {
         mode,
         keybinds,
         palette,
+        capabilities,
     }
 }
 

src/common/input/keybinds.rs

@@ -4,14 +4,14 @@ use std::collections::HashMap;
 use super::actions::Action;
 use super::config;
 
-use serde::Deserialize;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use strum::IntoEnumIterator;
 use zellij_tile::data::*;
 
 /// Used in the config struct
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 pub struct Keybinds(HashMap<InputMode, ModeKeybinds>);
-#[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, PartialEq)]
+#[derive(Clone, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
 pub struct ModeKeybinds(HashMap<Key, Vec<Action>>);
 
 /// Intermediate struct used for deserialisation

src/common/input/mod.rs

@@ -4,3 +4,4 @@ pub mod actions;
 pub mod config;
 pub mod handler;
 pub mod keybinds;
+pub mod options;

src/common/input/options.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+#[derive(Clone, Default, Debug, PartialEq, Deserialize, Serialize)]
+/// Options that can be set either through the config file,
+/// or cli flags
+pub struct Options {
+    /// Allow plugins to use a more compatible font type
+    pub simplified_ui: bool,
+}
+
+impl Options {
+    pub fn from_yaml(from_yaml: Option<Options>) -> Options {
+        if let Some(opts) = from_yaml {
+            opts
+        } else {
+            Options::default()
+        }
+    }
+}

src/server/mod.rs

@@ -11,13 +11,14 @@ use std::{
 };
 use wasmer::{ChainableNamedResolver, Instance, Module, Store, Value};
 use wasmer_wasi::{Pipe, WasiState};
-use zellij_tile::data::{Event, EventType, InputMode, ModeInfo};
+use zellij_tile::data::{Event, EventType, InputMode, ModeInfo, PluginCapabilities};
 
-use crate::cli::CliArgs;
+use crate::cli::{CliArgs, ConfigCli};
 use crate::client::ClientInstruction;
 use crate::common::{
     errors::{ContextType, PluginContext, PtyContext, ScreenContext, ServerContext},
     input::actions::{Action, Direction},
+    input::options::Options,
     input::handler::get_mode_info,
     os_input_output::{set_permissions, ServerOsApi},
     pty_bus::{PtyBus, PtyInstruction},
@@ -36,7 +37,7 @@ use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone)]
 pub enum ServerInstruction {
     TerminalResize(PositionAndSize),
-    NewClient(PositionAndSize, CliArgs),
+    NewClient(PositionAndSize, CliArgs, Options),
     Action(Action),
     Render(Option<String>),
     UnblockInputThread,
@@ -112,10 +113,11 @@ pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>) -> thread::JoinHandle<()> {
                 let (instruction, mut err_ctx) = receive_server_instructions.recv().unwrap();
                 err_ctx.add_call(ContextType::IPCServer(ServerContext::from(&instruction)));
                 match instruction {
-                    ServerInstruction::NewClient(full_screen_ws, opts) => {
+                    ServerInstruction::NewClient(full_screen_ws, opts, config_options) => {
                         let session_data = init_session(
                             os_input.clone(),
                             opts,
+                            config_options,
                             send_server_instructions.clone(),
                             full_screen_ws,
                         );
@@ -190,6 +192,7 @@ fn handle_client(
 fn init_session(
     os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>,
     opts: CliArgs,
+    config_options: Options,
     send_server_instructions: SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>,
     full_screen_ws: PositionAndSize,
 ) -> SessionMetaData {
@@ -303,6 +306,11 @@ fn init_session(
             let send_pty_instructions = send_pty_instructions.clone();
             let send_server_instructions = send_server_instructions;
             let max_panes = opts.max_panes;
+            let capabilities = if let Some(ConfigCli::Options { simplified_ui }) = opts.option {
+                simplified_ui
+            } else {
+                config_options.simplified_ui
+            };
             let colors = os_input.load_palette();
 
             move || {
@@ -316,6 +324,9 @@ fn init_session(
                     max_panes,
                     ModeInfo {
                         palette: colors,
+                        capabilities: PluginCapabilities {
+                            arrow_fonts: capabilities,
+                        },
                         ..ModeInfo::default()
                     },
                     InputMode::Normal,

zellij-tile/src/data.rs

@@ -125,6 +125,7 @@ pub struct ModeInfo {
     // FIXME: This should probably return Keys and Actions, then sort out strings plugin-side
     pub keybinds: Vec<(String, String)>, // <shortcut> => <shortcut description>
     pub palette: Palette,
+    pub capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Deserialize, Serialize)]
@@ -141,3 +142,8 @@ pub struct PluginIds {
     pub plugin_id: u32,
     pub zellij_pid: u32,
 }
+
+#[derive(Debug, Default, Copy, Clone, PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Deserialize, Serialize)]
+pub struct PluginCapabilities {
+    pub arrow_fonts: bool,
+}