diff --git a/include/sway/criteria.h b/include/sway/criteria.h
index 74da132c..ec256ddb 100644
--- a/include/sway/criteria.h
+++ b/include/sway/criteria.h
@@ -1,61 +1,42 @@
 #ifndef _SWAY_CRITERIA_H
 #define _SWAY_CRITERIA_H
 
-#include <pcre.h>
+#include "tree/container.h"
 #include "list.h"
-#include "tree/view.h"
-
-enum criteria_type {
-	CT_COMMAND = 1 << 0,
-	CT_ASSIGN_OUTPUT = 1 << 1,
-	CT_ASSIGN_WORKSPACE = 1 << 2,
-};
 
+/**
+ * Maps criteria (as a list of criteria tokens) to a command list.
+ *
+ * A list of tokens together represent a single criteria string (e.g.
+ * '[class="abc" title="xyz"]' becomes two criteria tokens).
+ *
+ * for_window: Views matching all criteria will have the bound command list
+ * executed on them.
+ *
+ * Set via `for_window <criteria> <cmd list>`.
+ */
 struct criteria {
-	enum criteria_type type;
-	char *raw; // entire criteria string (for logging)
-	char *cmdlist;
-	char *target; // workspace or output name for `assign` criteria
+	list_t *tokens; // struct crit_token, contains compiled regex.
+	char *crit_raw; // entire criteria string (for logging)
 
-	pcre *title;
-	pcre *app_id;
-	pcre *class;
-	pcre *instance;
-	pcre *con_mark;
-	uint32_t con_id; // internal ID
-	uint32_t id; // X11 window ID
-	pcre *window_role;
-	uint32_t window_type;
-	bool floating;
-	bool tiling;
-	char urgent; // 'l' for latest or 'o' for oldest
-	char *workspace;
+	char *cmdlist;
 };
 
-bool criteria_is_empty(struct criteria *criteria);
+int criteria_cmp(const void *item, const void *data);
+void free_criteria(struct criteria *crit);
 
-void criteria_destroy(struct criteria *criteria);
+// Pouplate list with crit_tokens extracted from criteria string, returns error
+// string or NULL if successful.
+char *extract_crit_tokens(list_t *tokens, const char *criteria);
 
-/**
- * Generate a criteria struct from a raw criteria string such as
- * [class="foo" instance="bar"] (brackets inclusive).
- *
- * The error argument is expected to be an address of a null pointer. If an
- * error is encountered, the function will return NULL and the pointer will be
- * changed to point to the error string. This string should be freed afterwards.
- */
-struct criteria *criteria_parse(char *raw, char **error);
+// Returns list of criteria that match given container. These criteria have
+// been set with `for_window` commands and have an associated cmdlist.
+list_t *criteria_for(struct sway_container *cont);
 
-/**
- * Compile a list of criterias matching the given view.
- *
- * Criteria types can be bitwise ORed.
- */
-list_t *criteria_for_view(struct sway_view *view, enum criteria_type types);
+// Returns a list of all containers that match the given list of tokens.
+list_t *container_for_crit_tokens(list_t *tokens);
 
-/**
- * Compile a list of views matching the given criteria.
- */
-list_t *criteria_get_views(struct criteria *criteria);
+// Returns true if any criteria in the given list matches this container
+bool criteria_any(struct sway_container *cont, list_t *criteria);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/view.h b/include/sway/tree/view.h
index 144ad038..4ecd8c44 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/view.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/view.h
@@ -20,15 +20,11 @@ enum sway_view_prop {
 	VIEW_PROP_APP_ID,
 	VIEW_PROP_CLASS,
 	VIEW_PROP_INSTANCE,
-	VIEW_PROP_WINDOW_TYPE,
-	VIEW_PROP_WINDOW_ROLE,
-	VIEW_PROP_X11_WINDOW_ID,
 };
 
 struct sway_view_impl {
-	const char *(*get_string_prop)(struct sway_view *view,
+	const char *(*get_prop)(struct sway_view *view,
 			enum sway_view_prop prop);
-	uint32_t (*get_int_prop)(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop);
 	void (*configure)(struct sway_view *view, double ox, double oy, int width,
 		int height);
 	void (*set_activated)(struct sway_view *view, bool activated);
@@ -56,8 +52,6 @@ struct sway_view {
 	enum sway_container_border border;
 	int border_thickness;
 
-	list_t *executed_criteria;
-
 	union {
 		struct wlr_xdg_surface_v6 *wlr_xdg_surface_v6;
 		struct wlr_xwayland_surface *wlr_xwayland_surface;
@@ -97,9 +91,6 @@ struct sway_xwayland_view {
 	struct wl_listener request_maximize;
 	struct wl_listener request_configure;
 	struct wl_listener request_fullscreen;
-	struct wl_listener set_title;
-	struct wl_listener set_class;
-	struct wl_listener set_window_type;
 	struct wl_listener map;
 	struct wl_listener unmap;
 	struct wl_listener destroy;
@@ -174,10 +165,6 @@ const char *view_get_class(struct sway_view *view);
 
 const char *view_get_instance(struct sway_view *view);
 
-uint32_t view_get_x11_window_id(struct sway_view *view);
-
-uint32_t view_get_window_type(struct sway_view *view);
-
 const char *view_get_type(struct sway_view *view);
 
 void view_configure(struct sway_view *view, double ox, double oy, int width,
@@ -230,10 +217,4 @@ void view_child_destroy(struct sway_view_child *child);
  */
 void view_update_title(struct sway_view *view, bool force);
 
-/**
- * Run any criteria that match the view and haven't been run on this view
- * before.
- */
-void view_execute_criteria(struct sway_view *view);
-
 #endif
diff --git a/sway/commands.c b/sway/commands.c
index 811f6cfa..2e1cdc2c 100644
--- a/sway/commands.c
+++ b/sway/commands.c
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@
 #include "sway/security.h"
 #include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
 #include "sway/input/seat.h"
-#include "sway/tree/view.h"
 #include "stringop.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
@@ -284,7 +283,7 @@ struct cmd_results *execute_command(char *_exec, struct sway_seat *seat) {
 	char *head = exec;
 	char *cmdlist;
 	char *cmd;
-	list_t *views = NULL;
+	list_t *containers = NULL;
 
 	if (seat == NULL) {
 		// passing a NULL seat means we just pick the default seat
@@ -301,18 +300,31 @@ struct cmd_results *execute_command(char *_exec, struct sway_seat *seat) {
 		// Extract criteria (valid for this command list only).
 		bool has_criteria = false;
 		if (*head == '[') {
-			char *error = NULL;
-			struct criteria *criteria = criteria_parse(head, &error);
-			if (!criteria) {
-				results = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, head,
-					"%s", error);
-				free(error);
+			has_criteria = true;
+			++head;
+			char *criteria_string = argsep(&head, "]");
+			if (head) {
+				++head;
+				list_t *tokens = create_list();
+				char *error;
+
+				if ((error = extract_crit_tokens(tokens, criteria_string))) {
+					wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "criteria string parse error: %s", error);
+					results = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, criteria_string,
+						"Can't parse criteria string: %s", error);
+					free(error);
+					free(tokens);
+					goto cleanup;
+				}
+				containers = container_for_crit_tokens(tokens);
+
+				free(tokens);
+			} else {
+				if (!results) {
+					results = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, criteria_string, "Unmatched [");
+				}
 				goto cleanup;
 			}
-			views = criteria_get_views(criteria);
-			head += strlen(criteria->raw);
-			criteria_destroy(criteria);
-			has_criteria = true;
 			// Skip leading whitespace
 			head += strspn(head, whitespace);
 		}
@@ -369,9 +381,8 @@ struct cmd_results *execute_command(char *_exec, struct sway_seat *seat) {
 				}
 				free_cmd_results(res);
 			} else {
-				for (int i = 0; i < views->length; ++i) {
-					struct sway_view *view = views->items[i];
-					config->handler_context.current_container = view->swayc;
+				for (int i = 0; i < containers->length; ++i) {
+					config->handler_context.current_container = containers->items[i];
 					struct cmd_results *res = handler->handle(argc-1, argv+1);
 					if (res->status != CMD_SUCCESS) {
 						free_argv(argc, argv);
@@ -389,7 +400,6 @@ struct cmd_results *execute_command(char *_exec, struct sway_seat *seat) {
 	} while(head);
 cleanup:
 	free(exec);
-	free(views);
 	if (!results) {
 		results = cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 	}
diff --git a/sway/commands/assign.c b/sway/commands/assign.c
index 9d15e166..eb7329aa 100644
--- a/sway/commands/assign.c
+++ b/sway/commands/assign.c
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 #include "sway/criteria.h"
 #include "list.h"
 #include "log.h"
-#include "stringop.h"
 
 struct cmd_results *cmd_assign(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct cmd_results *error = NULL;
@@ -13,39 +12,46 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_assign(int argc, char **argv) {
 		return error;
 	}
 
-	// Create criteria
-	char *err_str = NULL;
-	struct criteria *criteria = criteria_parse(argv[0], &err_str);
-	if (!criteria) {
-		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "assign", err_str);
-		free(err_str);
-		return error;
-	}
-
-	++argv;
-	int target_len = argc - 1;
+	char *criteria = *argv++;
 
 	if (strncmp(*argv, "→", strlen("→")) == 0) {
 		if (argc < 3) {
 			return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "assign", "Missing workspace");
 		}
-		++argv;
-		--target_len;
+		argv++;
 	}
 
-	if (strcmp(*argv, "output") == 0) {
-		criteria->type = CT_ASSIGN_OUTPUT;
-		++argv;
-		--target_len;
+	char *movecmd = "move container to workspace ";
+	size_t arglen = strlen(movecmd) + strlen(*argv) + 1;
+	char *cmdlist = calloc(1, arglen);
+	if (!cmdlist) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "assign", "Unable to allocate command list");
+	}
+	snprintf(cmdlist, arglen, "%s%s", movecmd, *argv);
+
+	struct criteria *crit = malloc(sizeof(struct criteria));
+	if (!crit) {
+		free(cmdlist);
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "assign", "Unable to allocate criteria");
+	}
+	crit->crit_raw = strdup(criteria);
+	crit->cmdlist = cmdlist;
+	crit->tokens = create_list();
+	char *err_str = extract_crit_tokens(crit->tokens, crit->crit_raw);
+
+	if (err_str) {
+		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "assign", err_str);
+		free(err_str);
+		free_criteria(crit);
+	} else if (crit->tokens->length == 0) {
+		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "assign", "Found no name/value pairs in criteria");
+		free_criteria(crit);
+	} else if (list_seq_find(config->criteria, criteria_cmp, crit) != -1) {
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "assign: Duplicate, skipping.");
+		free_criteria(crit);
 	} else {
-		criteria->type = CT_ASSIGN_WORKSPACE;
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "assign: '%s' -> '%s' added", crit->crit_raw, crit->cmdlist);
+		list_add(config->criteria, crit);
 	}
-
-	criteria->target = join_args(argv, target_len);
-
-	list_add(config->criteria, criteria);
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "assign: '%s' -> '%s' added", criteria->raw,
-			criteria->target);
-
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return error ? error : cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/commands/for_window.c b/sway/commands/for_window.c
index 8c425a1d..dd5461f0 100644
--- a/sway/commands/for_window.c
+++ b/sway/commands/for_window.c
@@ -11,20 +11,31 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_for_window(int argc, char **argv) {
 	if ((error = checkarg(argc, "for_window", EXPECTED_AT_LEAST, 2))) {
 		return error;
 	}
+	// add command to a criteria/command pair that is run against views when they appear.
+	char *criteria = argv[0], *cmdlist = join_args(argv + 1, argc - 1);
 
-	char *err_str = NULL;
-	struct criteria *criteria = criteria_parse(argv[0], &err_str);
-	if (!criteria) {
+	struct criteria *crit = calloc(sizeof(struct criteria), 1);
+	if (!crit) {
+		return cmd_results_new(CMD_FAILURE, "for_window", "Unable to allocate criteria");
+	}
+	crit->crit_raw = strdup(criteria);
+	crit->cmdlist = cmdlist;
+	crit->tokens = create_list();
+	char *err_str = extract_crit_tokens(crit->tokens, crit->crit_raw);
+
+	if (err_str) {
 		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "for_window", err_str);
 		free(err_str);
-		return error;
+		free_criteria(crit);
+	} else if (crit->tokens->length == 0) {
+		error = cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, "for_window", "Found no name/value pairs in criteria");
+		free_criteria(crit);
+	} else if (list_seq_find(config->criteria, criteria_cmp, crit) != -1) {
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "for_window: Duplicate, skipping.");
+		free_criteria(crit);
+	} else {
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "for_window: '%s' -> '%s' added", crit->crit_raw, crit->cmdlist);
+		list_add(config->criteria, crit);
 	}
-
-	criteria->type = CT_COMMAND;
-	criteria->cmdlist = join_args(argv + 1, argc - 1);
-
-	list_add(config->criteria, criteria);
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "for_window: '%s' -> '%s' added", criteria->raw, criteria->cmdlist);
-
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return error ? error : cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/criteria.c b/sway/criteria.c
index 7da790e6..22e9a49b 100644
--- a/sway/criteria.c
+++ b/sway/criteria.c
@@ -11,381 +11,435 @@
 #include "list.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
-bool criteria_is_empty(struct criteria *criteria) {
-	return !criteria->title
-		&& !criteria->app_id
-		&& !criteria->class
-		&& !criteria->instance
-		&& !criteria->con_mark
-		&& !criteria->con_id
-		&& !criteria->id
-		&& !criteria->window_role
-		&& !criteria->window_type
-		&& !criteria->floating
-		&& !criteria->tiling
-		&& !criteria->urgent
-		&& !criteria->workspace;
-}
-
-void criteria_destroy(struct criteria *criteria) {
-	pcre_free(criteria->title);
-	pcre_free(criteria->app_id);
-	pcre_free(criteria->class);
-	pcre_free(criteria->instance);
-	pcre_free(criteria->con_mark);
-	pcre_free(criteria->window_role);
-	free(criteria->workspace);
-
-	free(criteria->raw);
-	free(criteria);
-}
-
-static int regex_cmp(const char *item, const pcre *regex) {
-	return pcre_exec(regex, NULL, item, strlen(item), 0, 0, NULL, 0);
-}
-
-static bool criteria_matches_view(struct criteria *criteria,
-		struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (criteria->title) {
-		const char *title = view_get_title(view);
-		if (!title || regex_cmp(title, criteria->title) != 0) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->app_id) {
-		const char *app_id = view_get_app_id(view);
-		if (!app_id || regex_cmp(app_id, criteria->app_id) != 0) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->class) {
-		const char *class = view_get_class(view);
-		if (!class || regex_cmp(class, criteria->class) != 0) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->instance) {
-		const char *instance = view_get_instance(view);
-		if (!instance || regex_cmp(instance, criteria->instance) != 0) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->con_mark) {
-		// TODO
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->con_id) { // Internal ID
-		if (!view->swayc || view->swayc->id != criteria->con_id) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->id) { // X11 window ID
-		uint32_t x11_window_id = view_get_x11_window_id(view);
-		if (!x11_window_id || x11_window_id != criteria->id) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->window_role) {
-		// TODO
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->window_type) {
-		uint32_t type = view_get_window_type(view);
-		if (!type || type != criteria->window_type) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->floating) {
-		// TODO
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->tiling) {
-		// TODO
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->urgent) {
-		// TODO
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (criteria->workspace) {
-		if (!view->swayc) {
-			return false;
-		}
-		struct sway_container *ws = container_parent(view->swayc, C_WORKSPACE);
-		if (!ws || strcmp(ws->name, criteria->workspace) != 0) {
-			return false;
-		}
-	}
-
-	return true;
-}
-
-list_t *criteria_for_view(struct sway_view *view, enum criteria_type types) {
-	list_t *criterias = config->criteria;
-	list_t *matches = create_list();
-	for (int i = 0; i < criterias->length; ++i) {
-		struct criteria *criteria = criterias->items[i];
-		if ((criteria->type & types) && criteria_matches_view(criteria, view)) {
-			list_add(matches, criteria);
-		}
-	}
-	return matches;
-}
-
-struct match_data {
-	struct criteria *criteria;
-	list_t *matches;
+enum criteria_type { // *must* keep in sync with criteria_strings[]
+	CRIT_APP_ID,
+	CRIT_CLASS,
+	CRIT_CON_ID,
+	CRIT_CON_MARK,
+	CRIT_FLOATING,
+	CRIT_ID,
+	CRIT_INSTANCE,
+	CRIT_TILING,
+	CRIT_TITLE,
+	CRIT_URGENT,
+	CRIT_WINDOW_ROLE,
+	CRIT_WINDOW_TYPE,
+	CRIT_WORKSPACE,
+	CRIT_LAST
 };
 
-static void criteria_get_views_iterator(struct sway_container *container,
-		void *data) {
-	struct match_data *match_data = data;
-	if (container->type == C_VIEW) {
-		if (criteria_matches_view(match_data->criteria, container->sway_view)) {
-			list_add(match_data->matches, container->sway_view);
+static const char * const criteria_strings[CRIT_LAST] = {
+	[CRIT_APP_ID] = "app_id",
+	[CRIT_CLASS] = "class",
+	[CRIT_CON_ID] = "con_id",
+	[CRIT_CON_MARK] = "con_mark",
+	[CRIT_FLOATING] = "floating",
+	[CRIT_ID] = "id",
+	[CRIT_INSTANCE] = "instance",
+	[CRIT_TILING] = "tiling",
+	[CRIT_TITLE] = "title",
+	[CRIT_URGENT] = "urgent", // either "latest" or "oldest" ...
+	[CRIT_WINDOW_ROLE] = "window_role",
+	[CRIT_WINDOW_TYPE] = "window_type",
+	[CRIT_WORKSPACE] = "workspace"
+};
+
+/**
+ * A single criteria token (ie. value/regex pair),
+ * e.g. 'class="some class regex"'.
+ */
+struct crit_token {
+	enum criteria_type type;
+	pcre *regex;
+	char *raw;
+};
+
+static void free_crit_token(struct crit_token *crit) {
+	pcre_free(crit->regex);
+	free(crit->raw);
+	free(crit);
+}
+
+static void free_crit_tokens(list_t *crit_tokens) {
+	for (int i = 0; i < crit_tokens->length; i++) {
+		free_crit_token(crit_tokens->items[i]);
+	}
+	list_free(crit_tokens);
+}
+
+// Extracts criteria string from its brackets. Returns new (duplicate)
+// substring.
+static char *criteria_from(const char *arg) {
+	char *criteria = NULL;
+	if (*arg == '[') {
+		criteria = strdup(arg + 1);
+	} else {
+		criteria = strdup(arg);
+	}
+
+	int last = strlen(criteria) - 1;
+	if (criteria[last] == ']') {
+		criteria[last] = '\0';
+	}
+	return criteria;
+}
+
+// Return instances of c found in str.
+static int countchr(char *str, char c) {
+	int found = 0;
+	for (int i = 0; str[i]; i++) {
+		if (str[i] == c) {
+			++found;
 		}
 	}
+	return found;
 }
 
-list_t *criteria_get_views(struct criteria *criteria) {
-	list_t *matches = create_list();
-	struct match_data data = {
-		.criteria = criteria,
-		.matches = matches,
-	};
-	container_for_each_descendant_dfs(&root_container,
-		criteria_get_views_iterator, &data);
-	return matches;
-}
+// criteria_str is e.g. '[class="some class regex" instance="instance name"]'.
+//
+// Will create array of pointers in buf, where first is duplicate of given
+// string (must be freed) and the rest are pointers to names and values in the
+// base string (every other, naturally). argc will be populated with the length
+// of buf.
+//
+// Returns error string or NULL if successful.
+static char *crit_tokens(int *argc, char ***buf,
+		const char * const criteria_str) {
+	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Parsing criteria: '%s'", criteria_str);
+	char *base = criteria_from(criteria_str);
+	char *head = base;
+	char *namep = head; // start of criteria name
+	char *valp = NULL; // start of value
 
-// The error pointer is used for parsing functions, and saves having to pass it
-// as an argument in several places.
-char *error = NULL;
+	// We're going to place EOS markers where we need to and fill up an array
+	// of pointers to the start of each token (either name or value).
+	int pairs = countchr(base, '=');
+	int max_tokens = pairs * 2 + 1; // this gives us at least enough slots
+
+	char **argv = *buf = calloc(max_tokens, sizeof(char*));
+	argv[0] = base; // this needs to be freed by caller
+	bool quoted = true;
+
+	*argc = 1; // uneven = name, even = value
+	while (*head && *argc < max_tokens) {
+		if (namep != head && *(head - 1) == '\\') {
+			// escaped character: don't try to parse this
+		} else if (*head == '=' && namep != head) {
+			if (*argc % 2 != 1) {
+				// we're not expecting a name
+				return strdup("Unable to parse criteria: "
+					"Found out of place equal sign");
+			} else {
+				// name ends here
+				char *end = head; // don't want to rewind the head
+				while (*(end - 1) == ' ') {
+					--end;
+				}
+				*end = '\0';
+				if (*(namep) == ' ') {
+					namep = strrchr(namep, ' ') + 1;
+				}
+				argv[*argc] = namep;
+				*argc += 1;
+			}
+		} else if (*head == '"') {
+			if (*argc % 2 != 0) {
+				// we're not expecting a value
+				return strdup("Unable to parse criteria: "
+					"Found quoted value where it was not expected");
+			} else if (!valp) { // value starts here
+				valp = head + 1;
+				quoted = true;
+			} else {
+				// value ends here
+				argv[*argc] = valp;
+				*argc += 1;
+				*head = '\0';
+				valp = NULL;
+				namep = head + 1;
+			}
+		} else if (*argc % 2 == 0 && *head != ' ') {
+			// parse unquoted values
+			if (!valp) {
+				quoted = false;
+				valp = head;  // value starts here
+			}
+		} else if (valp && !quoted && *head == ' ') {
+			// value ends here
+			argv[*argc] = valp;
+			*argc += 1;
+			*head = '\0';
+			valp = NULL;
+			namep = head + 1;
+		}
+		head++;
+	}
+
+	// catch last unquoted value if needed
+	if (valp && !quoted && !*head) {
+		argv[*argc] = valp;
+		*argc += 1;
+	}
+
+	return NULL;
+}
 
 // Returns error string on failure or NULL otherwise.
-static bool generate_regex(pcre **regex, char *value) {
+static char *parse_criteria_name(enum criteria_type *type, char *name) {
+	*type = CRIT_LAST;
+	for (int i = 0; i < CRIT_LAST; i++) {
+		if (strcmp(criteria_strings[i], name) == 0) {
+			*type = (enum criteria_type) i;
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	if (*type == CRIT_LAST) {
+		const char *fmt = "Criteria type '%s' is invalid or unsupported.";
+		int len = strlen(name) + strlen(fmt) - 1;
+		char *error = malloc(len);
+		snprintf(error, len, fmt, name);
+		return error;
+	} else if (*type == CRIT_URGENT || *type == CRIT_WINDOW_ROLE ||
+			*type == CRIT_WINDOW_TYPE) {
+		// (we're just being helpful here)
+		const char *fmt = "\"%s\" criteria currently unsupported, "
+			"no window will match this";
+		int len = strlen(fmt) + strlen(name) - 1;
+		char *error = malloc(len);
+		snprintf(error, len, fmt, name);
+		return error;
+	}
+	return NULL;
+}
+
+// Returns error string on failure or NULL otherwise.
+static char *generate_regex(pcre **regex, char *value) {
 	const char *reg_err;
 	int offset;
 
 	*regex = pcre_compile(value, PCRE_UTF8 | PCRE_UCP, &reg_err, &offset, NULL);
 
 	if (!*regex) {
-		const char *fmt = "Regex compilation for '%s' failed: %s";
+		const char *fmt = "Regex compilation (for '%s') failed: %s";
 		int len = strlen(fmt) + strlen(value) + strlen(reg_err) - 3;
-		error = malloc(len);
+		char *error = malloc(len);
 		snprintf(error, len, fmt, value, reg_err);
-		return false;
+		return error;
 	}
-
-	return true;
-}
-
-static bool parse_token(struct criteria *criteria, char *name, char *value) {
-	// Require value, unless token is floating or tiled
-	if (!value && (strcmp(name, "title") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "app_id") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "class") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "instance") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "con_id") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "con_mark") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "window_role") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "window_type") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "id") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "urgent") == 0
-			|| strcmp(name, "workspace") == 0)) {
-		const char *fmt = "Token '%s' requires a value";
-		int len = strlen(fmt) + strlen(name) - 1;
-		error = malloc(len);
-		snprintf(error, len, fmt, name);
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	if (strcmp(name, "title") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->title, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "app_id") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->app_id, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "class") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->class, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "instance") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->instance, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "con_id") == 0) {
-		char *endptr;
-		criteria->con_id = strtoul(value, &endptr, 10);
-		if (*endptr != 0) {
-			error = strdup("The value for 'con_id' should be numeric");
-		}
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "con_mark") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->con_mark, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "window_role") == 0) {
-		generate_regex(&criteria->window_role, value);
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "window_type") == 0) {
-		// TODO: This is a string but will be stored as an enum or integer
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "id") == 0) {
-		char *endptr;
-		criteria->id = strtoul(value, &endptr, 10);
-		if (*endptr != 0) {
-			error = strdup("The value for 'id' should be numeric");
-		}
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "floating") == 0) {
-		criteria->floating = true;
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "tiling") == 0) {
-		criteria->tiling = true;
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "urgent") == 0) {
-		if (strcmp(value, "latest") == 0) {
-			criteria->urgent = 'l';
-		} else if (strcmp(value, "oldest") == 0) {
-			criteria->urgent = 'o';
-		} else {
-			error =
-				strdup("The value for 'urgent' must be 'latest' or 'oldest'");
-		}
-	} else if (strcmp(name, "workspace") == 0) {
-		criteria->workspace = strdup(value);
-	} else {
-		const char *fmt = "Token '%s' is not recognized";
-		int len = strlen(fmt) + strlen(name) - 1;
-		error = malloc(len);
-		snprintf(error, len, fmt, name);
-	}
-
-	if (error) {
-		return false;
-	}
-
-	return true;
-}
-
-static void skip_spaces(char **head) {
-	while (**head == ' ') {
-		++*head;
-	}
-}
-
-// Remove escaping slashes from value
-static void unescape(char *value) {
-	if (!strchr(value, '\\')) {
-		return;
-	}
-	char *copy = calloc(strlen(value) + 1, 1);
-	char *readhead = value;
-	char *writehead = copy;
-	while (*readhead) {
-		if (*readhead == '\\' && *(readhead + 1) == '"') {
-			// skip the slash
-			++readhead;
-		}
-		*writehead = *readhead;
-		++writehead;
-		++readhead;
-	}
-	strcpy(value, copy);
-	free(copy);
-}
-
-/**
- * Parse a raw criteria string such as [class="foo" instance="bar"] into a
- * criteria struct.
- *
- * If errors are found, NULL will be returned and the error argument will be
- * populated with an error string.
- */
-struct criteria *criteria_parse(char *raw, char **error_arg) {
-	free(error);
-	error = NULL;
-
-	char *head = raw;
-	skip_spaces(&head);
-	if (*head != '[') {
-		*error_arg = strdup("No criteria");
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	++head;
-
-	struct criteria *criteria = calloc(sizeof(struct criteria), 1);
-	char *name = NULL, *value = NULL;
-	bool in_quotes = false;
-
-	while (*head && *head != ']') {
-		skip_spaces(&head);
-		// Parse token name
-		char *namestart = head;
-		while ((*head >= 'a' && *head <= 'z') || *head == '_') {
-			++head;
-		}
-		name = calloc(head - namestart + 1, 1);
-		strncpy(name, namestart, head - namestart);
-		// Parse token value
-		skip_spaces(&head);
-		value = NULL;
-		if (*head == '=') {
-			++head;
-			skip_spaces(&head);
-			if (*head == '"') {
-				in_quotes = true;
-				++head;
-			}
-			char *valuestart = head;
-			if (in_quotes) {
-				while (*head && (*head != '"' || *(head - 1) == '\\')) {
-					++head;
-				}
-				if (!*head) {
-					*error_arg = strdup("Quote mismatch in criteria");
-					goto cleanup;
-				}
-			} else {
-				while (*head && *head != ' ' && *head != ']') {
-					++head;
-				}
-			}
-			value = calloc(head - valuestart + 1, 1);
-			strncpy(value, valuestart, head - valuestart);
-			if (in_quotes) {
-				++head;
-				in_quotes = false;
-			}
-			unescape(value);
-		}
-		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Found pair: %s=%s", name, value);
-		if (!parse_token(criteria, name, value)) {
-			*error_arg = error;
-			goto cleanup;
-		}
-		skip_spaces(&head);
-		free(name);
-		free(value);
-		name = NULL;
-		value = NULL;
-	}
-	if (*head != ']') {
-		*error_arg = strdup("No closing brace found in criteria");
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	if (criteria_is_empty(criteria)) {
-		*error_arg = strdup("Criteria is empty");
-		goto cleanup;
-	}
-
-	++head;
-	int len = head - raw;
-	criteria->raw = calloc(len + 1, 1);
-	strncpy(criteria->raw, raw, len);
-	return criteria;
-
-cleanup:
-	free(name);
-	free(value);
-	criteria_destroy(criteria);
 	return NULL;
 }
+
+// Test whether the criterion corresponds to the currently focused window
+static bool crit_is_focused(const char *value) {
+	return !strcmp(value, "focused") || !strcmp(value, "__focused__");
+}
+
+// Populate list with crit_tokens extracted from criteria string, returns error
+// string or NULL if successful.
+char *extract_crit_tokens(list_t *tokens, const char * const criteria) {
+	int argc;
+	char **argv = NULL, *error = NULL;
+	if ((error = crit_tokens(&argc, &argv, criteria))) {
+		goto ect_cleanup;
+	}
+	for (int i = 1; i + 1 < argc; i += 2) {
+		char* name = argv[i], *value = argv[i + 1];
+		struct crit_token *token = calloc(1, sizeof(struct crit_token));
+		token->raw = strdup(value);
+
+		if ((error = parse_criteria_name(&token->type, name))) {
+			free_crit_token(token);
+			goto ect_cleanup;
+		} else if (token->type == CRIT_URGENT || crit_is_focused(value)) {
+			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "%s -> \"%s\"", name, value);
+			list_add(tokens, token);
+		} else if((error = generate_regex(&token->regex, value))) {
+			free_crit_token(token);
+			goto ect_cleanup;
+		} else {
+			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "%s -> /%s/", name, value);
+			list_add(tokens, token);
+		}
+	}
+ect_cleanup:
+	free(argv[0]); // base string
+	free(argv);
+	return error;
+}
+
+static int regex_cmp(const char *item, const pcre *regex) {
+	return pcre_exec(regex, NULL, item, strlen(item), 0, 0, NULL, 0);
+}
+
+// test a single view if it matches list of criteria tokens (all of them).
+static bool criteria_test(struct sway_container *cont, list_t *tokens) {
+	if (cont->type != C_CONTAINER && cont->type != C_VIEW) {
+		return false;
+	}
+	int matches = 0;
+	for (int i = 0; i < tokens->length; i++) {
+		struct crit_token *crit = tokens->items[i];
+		switch (crit->type) {
+		case CRIT_CLASS:
+			{
+				const char *class = view_get_class(cont->sway_view);
+				if (!class) {
+					break;
+				}
+				if (crit->regex && regex_cmp(class, crit->regex) == 0) {
+					matches++;
+				}
+				break;
+			}
+		case CRIT_CON_ID:
+			{
+				char *endptr;
+				size_t crit_id = strtoul(crit->raw, &endptr, 10);
+
+				if (*endptr == 0 && cont->id == crit_id) {
+					++matches;
+				}
+				break;
+			}
+		case CRIT_CON_MARK:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_FLOATING:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_ID:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_APP_ID:
+			{
+				const char *app_id = view_get_app_id(cont->sway_view);
+				if (!app_id) {
+					break;
+				}
+
+				if (crit->regex && regex_cmp(app_id, crit->regex) == 0) {
+					matches++;
+				}
+				break;
+			}
+		case CRIT_INSTANCE:
+			{
+				const char *instance = view_get_instance(cont->sway_view);
+				if (!instance) {
+					break;
+				}
+
+				if (crit->regex && regex_cmp(instance, crit->regex) == 0) {
+					matches++;
+				}
+				break;
+			}
+		case CRIT_TILING:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_TITLE:
+			{
+				const char *title = view_get_title(cont->sway_view);
+				if (!title) {
+					break;
+				}
+
+				if (crit->regex && regex_cmp(title, crit->regex) == 0) {
+					matches++;
+				}
+				break;
+			}
+		case CRIT_URGENT:
+			// TODO "latest" or "oldest"
+			break;
+		case CRIT_WINDOW_ROLE:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_WINDOW_TYPE:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		case CRIT_WORKSPACE:
+			// TODO
+			break;
+		default:
+			sway_abort("Invalid criteria type (%i)", crit->type);
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	return matches == tokens->length;
+}
+
+int criteria_cmp(const void *a, const void *b) {
+	if (a == b) {
+		return 0;
+	} else if (!a) {
+		return -1;
+	} else if (!b) {
+		return 1;
+	}
+	const struct criteria *crit_a = a, *crit_b = b;
+	int cmp = lenient_strcmp(crit_a->cmdlist, crit_b->cmdlist);
+	if (cmp != 0) {
+		return cmp;
+	}
+	return lenient_strcmp(crit_a->crit_raw, crit_b->crit_raw);
+}
+
+void free_criteria(struct criteria *crit) {
+	if (crit->tokens) {
+		free_crit_tokens(crit->tokens);
+	}
+	if (crit->cmdlist) {
+		free(crit->cmdlist);
+	}
+	if (crit->crit_raw) {
+		free(crit->crit_raw);
+	}
+	free(crit);
+}
+
+bool criteria_any(struct sway_container *cont, list_t *criteria) {
+	for (int i = 0; i < criteria->length; i++) {
+		struct criteria *bc = criteria->items[i];
+		if (criteria_test(cont, bc->tokens)) {
+			return true;
+		}
+	}
+	return false;
+}
+
+list_t *criteria_for(struct sway_container *cont) {
+	list_t *criteria = config->criteria, *matches = create_list();
+	for (int i = 0; i < criteria->length; i++) {
+		struct criteria *bc = criteria->items[i];
+		if (criteria_test(cont, bc->tokens)) {
+			list_add(matches, bc);
+		}
+	}
+	return matches;
+}
+
+struct list_tokens {
+	list_t *list;
+	list_t *tokens;
+};
+
+static void container_match_add(struct sway_container *container,
+		struct list_tokens *list_tokens) {
+	if (criteria_test(container, list_tokens->tokens)) {
+		list_add(list_tokens->list, container);
+	}
+}
+
+list_t *container_for_crit_tokens(list_t *tokens) {
+	struct list_tokens list_tokens =
+		(struct list_tokens){create_list(), tokens};
+
+	container_for_each_descendant_dfs(&root_container,
+		(void (*)(struct sway_container *, void *))container_match_add,
+		&list_tokens);
+
+	// TODO look in the scratchpad
+	
+	return list_tokens.list;
+}
diff --git a/sway/desktop/wl_shell.c b/sway/desktop/wl_shell.c
index cb3774f7..99e8947b 100644
--- a/sway/desktop/wl_shell.c
+++ b/sway/desktop/wl_shell.c
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ static struct sway_wl_shell_view *wl_shell_view_from_view(
 	return (struct sway_wl_shell_view *)view;
 }
 
-static const char *get_string_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
+static const char *get_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
 	if (wl_shell_view_from_view(view) == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ static void set_fullscreen(struct sway_view *view, bool fullscreen) {
 }
 
 static const struct sway_view_impl view_impl = {
-	.get_string_prop = get_string_prop,
+	.get_prop = get_prop,
 	.configure = configure,
 	.close = _close,
 	.destroy = destroy,
diff --git a/sway/desktop/xdg_shell_v6.c b/sway/desktop/xdg_shell_v6.c
index f685ef71..8ecb330d 100644
--- a/sway/desktop/xdg_shell_v6.c
+++ b/sway/desktop/xdg_shell_v6.c
@@ -80,7 +80,7 @@ static struct sway_xdg_shell_v6_view *xdg_shell_v6_view_from_view(
 	return (struct sway_xdg_shell_v6_view *)view;
 }
 
-static const char *get_string_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
+static const char *get_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
 	if (xdg_shell_v6_view_from_view(view) == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ static void destroy(struct sway_view *view) {
 }
 
 static const struct sway_view_impl view_impl = {
-	.get_string_prop = get_string_prop,
+	.get_prop = get_prop,
 	.configure = configure,
 	.set_activated = set_activated,
 	.set_fullscreen = set_fullscreen,
diff --git a/sway/desktop/xwayland.c b/sway/desktop/xwayland.c
index 554c070e..8f935760 100644
--- a/sway/desktop/xwayland.c
+++ b/sway/desktop/xwayland.c
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ static struct sway_xwayland_view *xwayland_view_from_view(
 	return (struct sway_xwayland_view *)view;
 }
 
-static const char *get_string_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
+static const char *get_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
 	if (xwayland_view_from_view(view) == NULL) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
@@ -135,27 +135,11 @@ static const char *get_string_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop p
 		return view->wlr_xwayland_surface->title;
 	case VIEW_PROP_CLASS:
 		return view->wlr_xwayland_surface->class;
-	case VIEW_PROP_INSTANCE:
-		return view->wlr_xwayland_surface->instance;
 	default:
 		return NULL;
 	}
 }
 
-static uint32_t get_int_prop(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_prop prop) {
-	if (xwayland_view_from_view(view) == NULL) {
-		return 0;
-	}
-	switch (prop) {
-	case VIEW_PROP_X11_WINDOW_ID:
-		return view->wlr_xwayland_surface->window_id;
-	case VIEW_PROP_WINDOW_TYPE:
-		return *view->wlr_xwayland_surface->window_type;
-	default:
-		return 0;
-	}
-}
-
 static void configure(struct sway_view *view, double ox, double oy, int width,
 		int height) {
 	struct sway_xwayland_view *xwayland_view = xwayland_view_from_view(view);
@@ -216,17 +200,13 @@ static void destroy(struct sway_view *view) {
 	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->destroy.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->request_configure.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->request_fullscreen.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->set_title.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->set_class.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->set_window_type.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->map.link);
 	wl_list_remove(&xwayland_view->unmap.link);
 	free(xwayland_view);
 }
 
 static const struct sway_view_impl view_impl = {
-	.get_string_prop = get_string_prop,
-	.get_int_prop = get_int_prop,
+	.get_prop = get_prop,
 	.configure = configure,
 	.set_activated = set_activated,
 	.set_fullscreen = set_fullscreen,
@@ -243,6 +223,7 @@ static void handle_commit(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	view_update_size(view, xwayland_view->pending_width,
 		xwayland_view->pending_height);
 	view_damage_from(view);
+	view_update_title(view, false);
 }
 
 static void handle_unmap(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
@@ -304,40 +285,6 @@ static void handle_request_fullscreen(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data)
 	view_set_fullscreen(view, xsurface->fullscreen);
 }
 
-static void handle_set_title(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
-	struct sway_xwayland_view *xwayland_view =
-		wl_container_of(listener, xwayland_view, set_title);
-	struct sway_view *view = &xwayland_view->view;
-	struct wlr_xwayland_surface *xsurface = view->wlr_xwayland_surface;
-	if (!xsurface->mapped) {
-		return;
-	}
-	view_update_title(view, false);
-	view_execute_criteria(view);
-}
-
-static void handle_set_class(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
-	struct sway_xwayland_view *xwayland_view =
-		wl_container_of(listener, xwayland_view, set_class);
-	struct sway_view *view = &xwayland_view->view;
-	struct wlr_xwayland_surface *xsurface = view->wlr_xwayland_surface;
-	if (!xsurface->mapped) {
-		return;
-	}
-	view_execute_criteria(view);
-}
-
-static void handle_set_window_type(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
-	struct sway_xwayland_view *xwayland_view =
-		wl_container_of(listener, xwayland_view, set_window_type);
-	struct sway_view *view = &xwayland_view->view;
-	struct wlr_xwayland_surface *xsurface = view->wlr_xwayland_surface;
-	if (!xsurface->mapped) {
-		return;
-	}
-	view_execute_criteria(view);
-}
-
 void handle_xwayland_surface(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_server *server = wl_container_of(listener, server,
 		xwayland_surface);
@@ -376,16 +323,6 @@ void handle_xwayland_surface(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 		&xwayland_view->request_fullscreen);
 	xwayland_view->request_fullscreen.notify = handle_request_fullscreen;
 
-	wl_signal_add(&xsurface->events.set_title, &xwayland_view->set_title);
-	xwayland_view->set_title.notify = handle_set_title;
-
-	wl_signal_add(&xsurface->events.set_class, &xwayland_view->set_class);
-	xwayland_view->set_class.notify = handle_set_class;
-
-	wl_signal_add(&xsurface->events.set_window_type,
-			&xwayland_view->set_window_type);
-	xwayland_view->set_window_type.notify = handle_set_window_type;
-
 	wl_signal_add(&xsurface->events.unmap, &xwayland_view->unmap);
 	xwayland_view->unmap.notify = handle_unmap;
 
diff --git a/sway/tree/view.c b/sway/tree/view.c
index 7d921e0e..424c1084 100644
--- a/sway/tree/view.c
+++ b/sway/tree/view.c
@@ -3,7 +3,6 @@
 #include <wayland-server.h>
 #include <wlr/render/wlr_renderer.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_output_layout.h>
-#include "list.h"
 #include "log.h"
 #include "sway/criteria.h"
 #include "sway/commands.h"
@@ -20,7 +19,6 @@ void view_init(struct sway_view *view, enum sway_view_type type,
 		const struct sway_view_impl *impl) {
 	view->type = type;
 	view->impl = impl;
-	view->executed_criteria = create_list();
 	wl_signal_init(&view->events.unmap);
 }
 
@@ -33,8 +31,6 @@ void view_destroy(struct sway_view *view) {
 		view_unmap(view);
 	}
 
-	list_free(view->executed_criteria);
-
 	container_destroy(view->swayc);
 
 	if (view->impl->destroy) {
@@ -45,47 +41,33 @@ void view_destroy(struct sway_view *view) {
 }
 
 const char *view_get_title(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_string_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_string_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_TITLE);
+	if (view->impl->get_prop) {
+		return view->impl->get_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_TITLE);
 	}
 	return NULL;
 }
 
 const char *view_get_app_id(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_string_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_string_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_APP_ID);
+	if (view->impl->get_prop) {
+		return view->impl->get_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_APP_ID);
 	}
 	return NULL;
 }
 
 const char *view_get_class(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_string_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_string_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_CLASS);
+	if (view->impl->get_prop) {
+		return view->impl->get_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_CLASS);
 	}
 	return NULL;
 }
 
 const char *view_get_instance(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_string_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_string_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_INSTANCE);
+	if (view->impl->get_prop) {
+		return view->impl->get_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_INSTANCE);
 	}
 	return NULL;
 }
 
-uint32_t view_get_x11_window_id(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_int_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_int_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_X11_WINDOW_ID);
-	}
-	return 0;
-}
-
-uint32_t view_get_window_type(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (view->impl->get_int_prop) {
-		return view->impl->get_int_prop(view, VIEW_PROP_WINDOW_TYPE);
-	}
-	return 0;
-}
-
 const char *view_get_type(struct sway_view *view) {
 	switch(view->type) {
 	case SWAY_VIEW_WL_SHELL:
@@ -181,13 +163,15 @@ void view_set_fullscreen_raw(struct sway_view *view, bool fullscreen) {
 		struct sway_container *focus, *focus_ws;
 		wl_list_for_each(seat, &input_manager->seats, link) {
 			focus = seat_get_focus(seat);
-			focus_ws = focus;
-			if (focus_ws->type != C_WORKSPACE) {
-				focus_ws = container_parent(focus_ws, C_WORKSPACE);
-			}
-			seat_set_focus(seat, view->swayc);
-			if (focus_ws != workspace) {
-				seat_set_focus(seat, focus);
+			if (focus) {
+				focus_ws = focus;
+				if (focus && focus_ws->type != C_WORKSPACE) {
+					focus_ws = container_parent(focus_ws, C_WORKSPACE);
+				}
+				seat_set_focus(seat, view->swayc);
+				if (focus_ws != workspace) {
+					seat_set_focus(seat, focus);
+				}
 			}
 		}
 	} else {
@@ -300,36 +284,19 @@ static void view_handle_container_reparent(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	}
 }
 
-static bool view_has_executed_criteria(struct sway_view *view,
-		struct criteria *criteria) {
-	for (int i = 0; i < view->executed_criteria->length; ++i) {
-		struct criteria *item = view->executed_criteria->items[i];
-		if (item == criteria) {
-			return true;
-		}
-	}
-	return false;
-}
-
-void view_execute_criteria(struct sway_view *view) {
-	if (!view->swayc) {
+static void view_execute_criteria(struct sway_view *view) {
+	if (!sway_assert(view->swayc, "cannot run criteria for unmapped view")) {
 		return;
 	}
 	struct sway_seat *seat = input_manager_current_seat(input_manager);
 	struct sway_container *prior_workspace =
 		container_parent(view->swayc, C_WORKSPACE);
-	list_t *criterias = criteria_for_view(view, CT_COMMAND);
-	for (int i = 0; i < criterias->length; i++) {
-		struct criteria *criteria = criterias->items[i];
-		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Checking criteria %s", criteria->raw);
-		if (view_has_executed_criteria(view, criteria)) {
-			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Criteria already executed");
-			continue;
-		}
-		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "for_window '%s' matches view %p, cmd: '%s'",
-				criteria->raw, view, criteria->cmdlist);
-		list_add(view->executed_criteria, criteria);
-		struct cmd_results *res = execute_command(criteria->cmdlist, NULL);
+	list_t *criteria = criteria_for(view->swayc);
+	for (int i = 0; i < criteria->length; i++) {
+		struct criteria *crit = criteria->items[i];
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "for_window '%s' matches new view %p, cmd: '%s'",
+				crit->crit_raw, view, crit->cmdlist);
+		struct cmd_results *res = execute_command(crit->cmdlist, NULL);
 		if (res->status != CMD_SUCCESS) {
 			wlr_log(L_ERROR, "Command '%s' failed: %s", res->input, res->error);
 		}
@@ -338,7 +305,7 @@ void view_execute_criteria(struct sway_view *view) {
 		// so always refocus in-between command lists
 		seat_set_focus(seat, view->swayc);
 	}
-	list_free(criterias);
+	list_free(criteria);
 	seat_set_focus(seat, seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, prior_workspace));
 }
 
@@ -348,26 +315,9 @@ void view_map(struct sway_view *view, struct wlr_surface *wlr_surface) {
 	}
 
 	struct sway_seat *seat = input_manager_current_seat(input_manager);
-	struct sway_container *focus = seat_get_focus(seat);
-	struct sway_container *cont = NULL;
-
-	// Check if there's any `assign` criteria for the view
-	list_t *criterias = criteria_for_view(view,
-			CT_ASSIGN_WORKSPACE | CT_ASSIGN_OUTPUT);
-	if (criterias->length) {
-		struct criteria *criteria = criterias->items[0];
-		if (criteria->type == CT_ASSIGN_WORKSPACE) {
-			struct sway_container *workspace = workspace_by_name(criteria->target);
-			if (!workspace) {
-				workspace = workspace_create(NULL, criteria->target);
-			}
-			focus = seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, workspace);
-		} else {
-			// TODO: CT_ASSIGN_OUTPUT
-		}
-	}
-	free(criterias);
-	cont = container_view_create(focus, view);
+	struct sway_container *focus = seat_get_focus_inactive(seat,
+		&root_container);
+	struct sway_container *cont = container_view_create(focus, view);
 
 	view->surface = wlr_surface;
 	view->swayc = cont;
@@ -385,11 +335,10 @@ void view_map(struct sway_view *view, struct wlr_surface *wlr_surface) {
 	arrange_children_of(cont->parent);
 	input_manager_set_focus(input_manager, cont);
 
-	view_update_title(view, false);
-	view_execute_criteria(view);
-
 	container_damage_whole(cont);
 	view_handle_container_reparent(&view->container_reparent, NULL);
+
+	view_execute_criteria(view);
 }
 
 void view_unmap(struct sway_view *view) {