diff --git a/include/sway/tree/container.h b/include/sway/tree/container.h
index 464f80c4..277165ea 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/container.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/container.h
@@ -91,13 +91,11 @@ struct sway_container {
 	} events;
 };
 
-// TODO make private and use the container-specific create functions
 struct sway_container *container_create(enum sway_container_type type);
 
 const char *container_type_to_str(enum sway_container_type type);
 
-// TODO only one container create function and pass the type?
-struct sway_container *container_output_create(
+struct sway_container *output_create(
 		struct sway_output *sway_output);
 
 /**
@@ -110,35 +108,26 @@ struct sway_container *container_container_create();
  * Create a new output. Outputs are children of the root container and have no
  * order in the tree structure.
  */
-struct sway_container *container_output_create(struct sway_output *sway_output);
+struct sway_container *output_create(struct sway_output *sway_output);
 
 /**
  * Create a new workspace container. Workspaces are children of an output
  * container and are ordered alphabetically by name.
  */
-struct sway_container *container_workspace_create(struct sway_container *output, const char *name);
+struct sway_container *workspace_create(struct sway_container *output, const char *name);
 
 /*
  * Create a new view container. A view can be a child of a workspace container
  * or a container container and are rendered in the order and structure of
  * how they are attached to the tree.
  */
-// TODO view containers should be created in a detached state.
 struct sway_container *container_view_create(
 		struct sway_container *sibling, struct sway_view *sway_view);
 
-// TODO don't return the parent on destroy
 struct sway_container *container_destroy(struct sway_container *container);
 
-struct sway_container *container_workspace_destroy(struct sway_container *container);
-struct sway_container *container_output_destroy(struct sway_container *container);
-struct sway_container *container_view_destroy(struct sway_container *container);
+struct sway_container *container_close(struct sway_container *container);
 
-// TODO move to layout.c
-struct sway_container *container_set_layout(struct sway_container *container,
-		enum sway_container_layout layout);
-
-// TODO rename to container_descendants_for_each()
 void container_descendants(struct sway_container *root,
 		enum sway_container_type type,
 		void (*func)(struct sway_container *item, void *data), void *data);
@@ -153,7 +142,6 @@ struct sway_container *container_find(struct sway_container *container,
 /**
  * Finds a parent container with the given struct sway_containerype.
  */
-// TODO rename to container_parent_of_type()
 struct sway_container *container_parent(struct sway_container *container,
 		enum sway_container_type type);
 
@@ -190,4 +178,6 @@ bool container_has_anscestor(struct sway_container *container,
 bool container_has_child(struct sway_container *con,
 		struct sway_container *child);
 
+void container_create_notify(struct sway_container *container);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/layout.h b/include/sway/tree/layout.h
index 8badb244..784dcc9b 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/layout.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/layout.h
@@ -29,42 +29,37 @@ struct sway_root {
 
 void layout_init(void);
 
-// TODO move to tree.h
 void container_add_child(struct sway_container *parent,
 		struct sway_container *child);
 
-// TODO move to tree.h
 struct sway_container *container_add_sibling(struct sway_container *parent,
 		struct sway_container *child);
 
-// TODO move to tree.h
 struct sway_container *container_remove_child(struct sway_container *child);
 
-// TODO PRIVATE in tree.h
-struct sway_container *container_reap_empty(struct sway_container *container);
+struct sway_container *container_replace_child(struct sway_container *child,
+		struct sway_container *new_child);
+
+struct sway_container *container_set_layout(struct sway_container *container,
+		enum sway_container_layout layout);
 
-// TODO move to tree.h
 void container_move_to(struct sway_container* container,
 		struct sway_container* destination);
 
 void container_move(struct sway_container *container,
 		enum movement_direction dir, int move_amt);
 
-// TODO move to output.c
 enum sway_container_layout container_get_default_layout(
-		struct sway_container *output);
+		struct sway_container *con);
 
-// TODO move to output.c
 void container_sort_workspaces(struct sway_container *output);
 
 void arrange_windows(struct sway_container *container,
 		double width, double height);
 
-// TODO move to container.h
 struct sway_container *container_get_in_direction(struct sway_container
 		*container, struct sway_seat *seat, enum movement_direction dir);
 
-// TODO move to tree.h
 struct sway_container *container_split(struct sway_container *child,
 		enum sway_container_layout layout);
 
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/output.h b/include/sway/tree/output.h
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..e69de29b
diff --git a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
index 4e4c3450..8d49fefb 100644
--- a/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
+++ b/include/sway/tree/workspace.h
@@ -7,8 +7,6 @@ extern char *prev_workspace_name;
 
 char *workspace_next_name(const char *output_name);
 
-struct sway_container *workspace_create(const char *name);
-
 bool workspace_switch(struct sway_container *workspace);
 
 struct sway_container *workspace_by_number(const char* name);
diff --git a/sway/commands/kill.c b/sway/commands/kill.c
index 46d6e98e..f3fa52f1 100644
--- a/sway/commands/kill.c
+++ b/sway/commands/kill.c
@@ -10,22 +10,7 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_kill(int argc, char **argv) {
 	struct sway_container *con =
 		config->handler_context.current_container;
 
-	switch (con->type) {
-	case C_ROOT:
-	case C_OUTPUT:
-	case C_WORKSPACE:
-	case C_TYPES:
-		return cmd_results_new(CMD_INVALID, NULL,
-				"Can only kill views and containers with this command");
-		break;
-	case C_CONTAINER:
-		con = container_destroy(con);
-		arrange_windows(con, -1, -1);
-		break;
-	case C_VIEW:
-		view_close(con->sway_view);
-		break;
-	}
+	container_close(con);
 
 	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/commands/layout.c b/sway/commands/layout.c
index ebab2a48..4c49a627 100644
--- a/sway/commands/layout.c
+++ b/sway/commands/layout.c
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_layout(int argc, char **argv) {
 	if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "default") == 0) {
 		container_set_layout(parent, parent->prev_layout);
 		if (parent->layout == L_NONE) {
-			struct sway_container *output = container_parent(parent, C_OUTPUT);
-			container_set_layout(parent, container_get_default_layout(output));
+			container_set_layout(parent, container_get_default_layout(parent));
 		}
 	} else {
 		if (parent->layout != L_TABBED && parent->layout != L_STACKED) {
diff --git a/sway/commands/move.c b/sway/commands/move.c
index 644c622b..c954ab94 100644
--- a/sway/commands/move.c
+++ b/sway/commands/move.c
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ static struct cmd_results *cmd_move_container(struct sway_container *current,
 			ws = workspace_by_name(ws_name);
 		}
 		if (!ws) {
-			ws = workspace_create(ws_name ? ws_name : num_name);
+			ws = workspace_create(NULL, ws_name ? ws_name : num_name);
 		}
 		free(ws_name);
 		struct sway_container *old_parent = current->parent;
diff --git a/sway/commands/workspace.c b/sway/commands/workspace.c
index aa4096f7..958b3222 100644
--- a/sway/commands/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/commands/workspace.c
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 		if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "number") == 0) {
 			if (!(ws = workspace_by_number(argv[1]))) {
 				char *name = join_args(argv + 1, argc - 1);
-				ws = workspace_create(name);
+				ws = workspace_create(NULL, name);
 				free(name);
 			}
 		} else if (strcasecmp(argv[0], "next") == 0) {
@@ -80,12 +80,12 @@ struct cmd_results *cmd_workspace(int argc, char **argv) {
 				ws = old_workspace;
 			} else if (prev_workspace_name
 					&& !(ws = workspace_by_name(prev_workspace_name))) {
-				ws = workspace_create(prev_workspace_name);
+				ws = workspace_create(NULL, prev_workspace_name);
 			}
 		} else {
 			char *name = join_args(argv, argc);
 			if (!(ws = workspace_by_name(name))) {
-				ws = workspace_create(name);
+				ws = workspace_create(NULL, name);
 			}
 			free(name);
 		}
diff --git a/sway/config/output.c b/sway/config/output.c
index 6d832cbc..1c298d37 100644
--- a/sway/config/output.c
+++ b/sway/config/output.c
@@ -128,8 +128,9 @@ void apply_output_config(struct output_config *oc, struct sway_container *output
 	struct wlr_output *wlr_output = output->sway_output->wlr_output;
 
 	if (oc && oc->enabled == 0) {
-		container_output_destroy(output);
-		wlr_output_layout_remove(output_layout, wlr_output);
+		container_destroy(output);
+		wlr_output_layout_remove(root_container.sway_root->output_layout,
+			wlr_output);
 		return;
 	}
 
diff --git a/sway/desktop/output.c b/sway/desktop/output.c
index 4b407f41..8a4fb4a2 100644
--- a/sway/desktop/output.c
+++ b/sway/desktop/output.c
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 #include <assert.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <time.h>
+#include <strings.h>
 #include <wayland-server.h>
 #include <wlr/render/wlr_renderer.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_box.h>
@@ -21,6 +22,16 @@
 #include "sway/tree/layout.h"
 #include "sway/tree/view.h"
 
+struct sway_container *output_by_name(const char *name) {
+	for (int i = 0; i < root_container.children->length; ++i) {
+		struct sway_container *output = root_container.children->items[i];
+		if (strcasecmp(output->name, name) == 0) {
+			return output;
+		}
+	}
+	return NULL;
+}
+
 /**
  * Rotate a child's position relative to a parent. The parent size is (pw, ph),
  * the child position is (*sx, *sy) and its size is (sw, sh).
@@ -334,12 +345,12 @@ void output_damage_whole_view(struct sway_output *output,
 static void damage_handle_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_output *output =
 		wl_container_of(listener, output, damage_destroy);
-	container_output_destroy(output->swayc);
+	container_destroy(output->swayc);
 }
 
 static void handle_destroy(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 	struct sway_output *output = wl_container_of(listener, output, destroy);
-	container_output_destroy(output->swayc);
+	container_destroy(output->swayc);
 }
 
 static void handle_mode(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
@@ -381,7 +392,7 @@ void handle_new_output(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 
 	output->damage = wlr_output_damage_create(wlr_output);
 
-	output->swayc = container_output_create(output);
+	output->swayc = output_create(output);
 	if (!output->swayc) {
 		free(output);
 		return;
diff --git a/sway/input/seat.c b/sway/input/seat.c
index cf519a82..4a99e9eb 100644
--- a/sway/input/seat.c
+++ b/sway/input/seat.c
@@ -384,7 +384,7 @@ void seat_set_focus_warp(struct sway_seat *seat,
 		if (last_ws) {
 			ipc_event_workspace(last_ws, container, "focus");
 			if (last_ws->children->length == 0) {
-				container_workspace_destroy(last_ws);
+				container_destroy(last_ws);
 			}
 		}
 		struct sway_container *last_output = last_focus;
diff --git a/sway/meson.build b/sway/meson.build
index a6a633a0..91aab0a0 100644
--- a/sway/meson.build
+++ b/sway/meson.build
@@ -86,9 +86,9 @@ sway_sources = files(
 	'security.c',
 	'tree/container.c',
 	'tree/layout.c',
-	'tree/output.c',
 	'tree/view.c',
 	'tree/workspace.c',
+	'tree/output.c',
 )
 
 sway_deps = [
diff --git a/sway/tree/container.c b/sway/tree/container.c
index c686401c..eaf4c117 100644
--- a/sway/tree/container.c
+++ b/sway/tree/container.c
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
+#include <assert.h>
 #include <stdint.h>
 #include <stdlib.h>
 #include <string.h>
@@ -6,7 +7,6 @@
 #include <wayland-server.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_output_layout.h>
 #include <wlr/types/wlr_wl_shell.h>
-#include "log.h"
 #include "sway/config.h"
 #include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
 #include "sway/input/seat.h"
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ const char *container_type_to_str(enum sway_container_type type) {
 	}
 }
 
-static void notify_new_container(struct sway_container *container) {
+void container_create_notify(struct sway_container *container) {
 	wl_signal_emit(&root_container.sway_root->events.new_container, container);
 	ipc_event_window(container, "new");
 }
@@ -76,21 +76,21 @@ struct sway_container *container_create(enum sway_container_type type) {
 	return c;
 }
 
-static struct sway_container *_container_destroy(struct sway_container *cont) {
+static void _container_destroy(struct sway_container *cont) {
 	if (cont == NULL) {
-		return NULL;
+		return;
 	}
 
 	wl_signal_emit(&cont->events.destroy, cont);
 
 	struct sway_container *parent = cont->parent;
-	if (cont->children != NULL) {
+	if (cont->children != NULL && cont->children->length) {
 		// remove children until there are no more, container_destroy calls
 		// container_remove_child, which removes child from this container
-		while (cont->children != NULL && cont->children->length != 0) {
+		while (cont->children != NULL) {
 			struct sway_container *child = cont->children->items[0];
 			container_remove_child(child);
-			container_destroy(child);
+			_container_destroy(child);
 		}
 	}
 	if (cont->marks) {
@@ -106,106 +106,200 @@ static struct sway_container *_container_destroy(struct sway_container *cont) {
 	list_free(cont->children);
 	cont->children = NULL;
 	free(cont);
+}
+
+static struct sway_container *container_output_destroy(
+		struct sway_container *output) {
+	if (!sway_assert(output, "cannot destroy null output")) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	if (output->children->length > 0) {
+		// TODO save workspaces when there are no outputs.
+		// TODO also check if there will ever be no outputs except for exiting
+		// program
+		if (root_container.children->length > 1) {
+			int p = root_container.children->items[0] == output;
+			// Move workspace from this output to another output
+			while (output->children->length) {
+				struct sway_container *child = output->children->items[0];
+				container_remove_child(child);
+				container_add_child(root_container.children->items[p], child);
+			}
+			container_sort_workspaces(root_container.children->items[p]);
+			arrange_windows(root_container.children->items[p],
+				-1, -1);
+		}
+	}
+
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->destroy.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->mode.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->transform.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->scale.link);
+
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->damage_destroy.link);
+	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->damage_frame.link);
+
+	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "OUTPUT: Destroying output '%s'", output->name);
+	_container_destroy(output);
+	return &root_container;
+}
+
+static struct sway_container *container_workspace_destroy(
+		struct sway_container *workspace) {
+	if (!sway_assert(workspace, "cannot destroy null workspace")) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	// Do not destroy this if it's the last workspace on this output
+	struct sway_container *output = container_parent(workspace, C_OUTPUT);
+	if (output && output->children->length == 1) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	struct sway_container *parent = workspace->parent;
+	if (workspace->children->length == 0) {
+		// destroy the WS if there are no children (TODO check for floating)
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "destroying workspace '%s'", workspace->name);
+		ipc_event_workspace(workspace, NULL, "empty");
+	} else {
+		// Move children to a different workspace on this output
+		struct sway_container *new_workspace = NULL;
+		// TODO move floating
+		for (int i = 0; i < output->children->length; i++) {
+			if (output->children->items[i] != workspace) {
+				new_workspace = output->children->items[i];
+				break;
+			}
+		}
+
+		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "moving children to different workspace '%s' -> '%s'",
+			workspace->name, new_workspace->name);
+		for (int i = 0; i < workspace->children->length; i++) {
+			container_move_to(workspace->children->items[i], new_workspace);
+		}
+	}
+
+	_container_destroy(workspace);
+
+	output_damage_whole(output->sway_output);
+
 	return parent;
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_destroy(struct sway_container *cont) {
-	struct sway_container *parent = _container_destroy(cont);
-	parent = container_reap_empty(parent);
-	arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
-	return parent;
+static void container_root_finish(struct sway_container *con) {
+	wlr_log(L_ERROR, "TODO: destroy the root container");
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_output_create(
-		struct sway_output *sway_output) {
-	struct wlr_box size;
-	wlr_output_effective_resolution(sway_output->wlr_output, &size.width,
-		&size.height);
-
-	const char *name = sway_output->wlr_output->name;
-	char identifier[128];
-	output_get_identifier(identifier, sizeof(identifier), sway_output);
-
-	struct output_config *oc = NULL, *all = NULL;
-	for (int i = 0; i < config->output_configs->length; ++i) {
-		struct output_config *cur = config->output_configs->items[i];
-
-		if (strcasecmp(name, cur->name) == 0 ||
-				strcasecmp(identifier, cur->name) == 0) {
-			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Matched output config for %s", name);
-			oc = cur;
+static bool container_reap_empty(struct sway_container *con) {
+	switch (con->type) {
+	case C_ROOT:
+	case C_OUTPUT:
+		// dont reap these
+		break;
+	case C_WORKSPACE:
+		if (!workspace_is_visible(con) && con->children->length == 0) {
+			container_workspace_destroy(con);
+			return true;
 		}
-		if (strcasecmp("*", cur->name) == 0) {
-			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Matched wildcard output config for %s", name);
-			all = cur;
+		break;
+	case C_CONTAINER:
+		if (con->children->length == 0) {
+			_container_destroy(con);
+			return true;
+		} else if (con->children->length == 1) {
+			struct sway_container *child = con->children->items[0];
+			if (child->type == C_CONTAINER) {
+				container_remove_child(child);
+				container_replace_child(con, child);
+				_container_destroy(con);
+				return true;
+			}
 		}
+	case C_VIEW:
+		break;
+	case C_TYPES:
+		sway_assert(false, "container_reap_empty called on an invalid "
+			"container");
+		break;
+	}
 
-		if (oc && all) {
+	return false;
+}
+
+struct sway_container *container_destroy(struct sway_container *con) {
+	if (con == NULL) {
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	struct sway_container *parent = con->parent;
+
+	switch (con->type) {
+		case C_ROOT:
+			container_root_finish(con);
+			break;
+		case C_OUTPUT:
+			// dont try to reap the root after this
+			container_output_destroy(con);
+			break;
+		case C_WORKSPACE:
+			// dont try to reap the output after this
+			container_workspace_destroy(con);
+			break;
+		case C_CONTAINER:
+			if (con->children->length) {
+				for (int i = 0; i < con->children->length; ++i) {
+					struct sway_container *child = con->children->items[0];
+					container_remove_child(child);
+					container_add_child(parent, child);
+				}
+			}
+			_container_destroy(con);
+			break;
+		case C_VIEW:
+			_container_destroy(con);
+			break;
+		case C_TYPES:
+			wlr_log(L_ERROR, "container_destroy called on an invalid "
+				"container");
+			break;
+	}
+
+	struct sway_container *tmp = parent;
+	while (parent) {
+		tmp = parent->parent;
+
+		if (!container_reap_empty(parent)) {
 			break;
 		}
-	}
-	if (!oc) {
-		oc = all;
+
+		parent = tmp;
 	}
 
-	if (oc && !oc->enabled) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	struct sway_container *output = container_create(C_OUTPUT);
-	output->sway_output = sway_output;
-	output->name = strdup(name);
-	if (output->name == NULL) {
-		container_destroy(output);
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	// Insert the child before applying config so that the container coordinates
-	// get updated
-	container_add_child(&root_container, output);
-	apply_output_config(oc, output);
-
-	load_swaybars();
-
-	// Create workspace
-	char *ws_name = workspace_next_name(output->name);
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Creating default workspace %s", ws_name);
-	struct sway_container *ws = container_workspace_create(output, ws_name);
-	// Set each seat's focus if not already set
-	struct sway_seat *seat = NULL;
-	wl_list_for_each(seat, &input_manager->seats, link) {
-		if (!seat->has_focus) {
-			seat_set_focus(seat, ws);
-		}
-	}
-
-	free(ws_name);
-	notify_new_container(output);
-	return output;
+	return tmp;
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_workspace_create(
-		struct sway_container *output, const char *name) {
-	if (!sway_assert(output,
-			"container_workspace_create called with null output")) {
+static void container_close_func(struct sway_container *container, void *data) {
+	if (container->type == C_VIEW) {
+		view_close(container->sway_view);
+	}
+}
+
+struct sway_container *container_close(struct sway_container *con) {
+	if (!sway_assert(con != NULL,
+			"container_close called with a NULL container")) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Added workspace %s for output %s", name, output->name);
-	struct sway_container *workspace = container_create(C_WORKSPACE);
 
-	workspace->x = output->x;
-	workspace->y = output->y;
-	workspace->width = output->width;
-	workspace->height = output->height;
-	workspace->name = !name ? NULL : strdup(name);
-	workspace->prev_layout = L_NONE;
-	workspace->layout = container_get_default_layout(output);
-	workspace->workspace_layout = container_get_default_layout(output);
+	struct sway_container *parent = con->parent;
 
-	container_add_child(output, workspace);
-	container_sort_workspaces(output);
-	notify_new_container(workspace);
-	return workspace;
+	if (con->type == C_VIEW) {
+		view_close(con->sway_view);
+	} else {
+		container_for_each_descendant_dfs(con, container_close_func, NULL);
+	}
+
+	return parent;
 }
 
 struct sway_container *container_view_create(struct sway_container *sibling,
@@ -231,23 +325,10 @@ struct sway_container *container_view_create(struct sway_container *sibling,
 		// Regular case, create as sibling of current container
 		container_add_sibling(sibling, swayc);
 	}
-	notify_new_container(swayc);
+	container_create_notify(swayc);
 	return swayc;
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_set_layout(struct sway_container *container,
-		enum sway_container_layout layout) {
-	if (container->type == C_WORKSPACE) {
-		container->workspace_layout = layout;
-		if (layout == L_HORIZ || layout == L_VERT) {
-			container->layout = layout;
-		}
-	} else {
-		container->layout = layout;
-	}
-	return container;
-}
-
 void container_descendants(struct sway_container *root,
 		enum sway_container_type type,
 		void (*func)(struct sway_container *item, void *data), void *data) {
diff --git a/sway/tree/layout.c b/sway/tree/layout.c
index 617350d9..5abdbc32 100644
--- a/sway/tree/layout.c
+++ b/sway/tree/layout.c
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 #define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
-#include <assert.h>
 #include <ctype.h>
 #include <math.h>
 #include <stdbool.h>
@@ -52,6 +51,19 @@ static void output_layout_handle_change(struct wl_listener *listener,
 	arrange_windows(&root_container, -1, -1);
 }
 
+struct sway_container *container_set_layout(struct sway_container *container,
+		enum sway_container_layout layout) {
+	if (container->type == C_WORKSPACE) {
+		container->workspace_layout = layout;
+		if (layout == L_HORIZ || layout == L_VERT) {
+			container->layout = layout;
+		}
+	} else {
+		container->layout = layout;
+	}
+	return container;
+}
+
 void layout_init(void) {
 	root_container.id = 0; // normally assigned in new_swayc()
 	root_container.type = C_ROOT;
@@ -107,32 +119,6 @@ void container_add_child(struct sway_container *parent,
 	child->parent = parent;
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_reap_empty(struct sway_container *container) {
-	if (container == NULL) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Reaping %p %s '%s'", container,
-			container_type_to_str(container->type), container->name);
-	while (container->type != C_ROOT && container->type != C_OUTPUT
-			&& container->children->length == 0) {
-		if (container->type == C_WORKSPACE) {
-			if (!workspace_is_visible(container)) {
-				struct sway_container *parent = container->parent;
-				container_workspace_destroy(container);
-				return parent;
-			}
-			return container;
-		} else if (container->type == C_CONTAINER) {
-			struct sway_container *parent = container->parent;
-			container_destroy(container);
-			container = parent;
-		} else {
-			container = container->parent;
-		}
-	}
-	return container;
-}
-
 struct sway_container *container_remove_child(struct sway_container *child) {
 	struct sway_container *parent = child->parent;
 	for (int i = 0; i < parent->children->length; ++i) {
@@ -167,7 +153,7 @@ void container_move_to(struct sway_container *container,
 		if (old_parent->children->length == 0) {
 			char *ws_name = workspace_next_name(old_parent->name);
 			struct sway_container *ws =
-				container_workspace_create(old_parent, ws_name);
+				workspace_create(old_parent, ws_name);
 			free(ws_name);
 			seat_set_focus(seat, ws);
 		}
@@ -186,12 +172,22 @@ void container_move(struct sway_container *container,
 }
 
 enum sway_container_layout container_get_default_layout(
-		struct sway_container *output) {
+		struct sway_container *con) {
+	if (con->type != C_OUTPUT) {
+		con = container_parent(con, C_OUTPUT);
+	}
+
+	if (!sway_assert(con != NULL,
+			"container_get_default_layout must be called on an attached"
+			" container below the root container")) {
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	if (config->default_layout != L_NONE) {
 		return config->default_layout;
 	} else if (config->default_orientation != L_NONE) {
 		return config->default_orientation;
-	} else if (output->width >= output->height) {
+	} else if (con->width >= con->height) {
 		return L_HORIZ;
 	} else {
 		return L_VERT;
diff --git a/sway/tree/output.c b/sway/tree/output.c
index 0509db23..6c7044a2 100644
--- a/sway/tree/output.c
+++ b/sway/tree/output.c
@@ -1,51 +1,73 @@
+#define _POSIX_C_SOURCE 200809L
+#include <string.h>
 #include <strings.h>
-#include "sway/tree/container.h"
-#include "sway/tree/layout.h"
 #include "sway/output.h"
+#include "sway/tree/output.h"
+#include "sway/tree/workspace.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
-struct sway_container *container_output_destroy(struct sway_container *output) {
-	if (!sway_assert(output, "cannot destroy null output")) {
+struct sway_container *output_create(
+		struct sway_output *sway_output) {
+	struct wlr_box size;
+	wlr_output_effective_resolution(sway_output->wlr_output, &size.width,
+		&size.height);
+
+	const char *name = sway_output->wlr_output->name;
+	char identifier[128];
+	output_get_identifier(identifier, sizeof(identifier), sway_output);
+
+	struct output_config *oc = NULL, *all = NULL;
+	for (int i = 0; i < config->output_configs->length; ++i) {
+		struct output_config *cur = config->output_configs->items[i];
+
+		if (strcasecmp(name, cur->name) == 0 ||
+				strcasecmp(identifier, cur->name) == 0) {
+			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Matched output config for %s", name);
+			oc = cur;
+		}
+		if (strcasecmp("*", cur->name) == 0) {
+			wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Matched wildcard output config for %s", name);
+			all = cur;
+		}
+
+		if (oc && all) {
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	if (!oc) {
+		oc = all;
+	}
+
+	if (oc && !oc->enabled) {
 		return NULL;
 	}
 
-	if (output->children->length > 0) {
-		// TODO save workspaces when there are no outputs.
-		// TODO also check if there will ever be no outputs except for exiting
-		// program
-		if (root_container.children->length > 1) {
-			int p = root_container.children->items[0] == output;
-			// Move workspace from this output to another output
-			while (output->children->length) {
-				struct sway_container *child = output->children->items[0];
-				container_remove_child(child);
-				container_add_child(root_container.children->items[p], child);
-			}
-			container_sort_workspaces(root_container.children->items[p]);
-			arrange_windows(root_container.children->items[p],
-				-1, -1);
+	struct sway_container *output = container_create(C_OUTPUT);
+	output->sway_output = sway_output;
+	output->name = strdup(name);
+	if (output->name == NULL) {
+		container_destroy(output);
+		return NULL;
+	}
+
+	apply_output_config(oc, output);
+	container_add_child(&root_container, output);
+	load_swaybars();
+
+	// Create workspace
+	char *ws_name = workspace_next_name(output->name);
+	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Creating default workspace %s", ws_name);
+	struct sway_container *ws = workspace_create(output, ws_name);
+	// Set each seat's focus if not already set
+	struct sway_seat *seat = NULL;
+	wl_list_for_each(seat, &input_manager->seats, link) {
+		if (!seat->has_focus) {
+			seat_set_focus(seat, ws);
 		}
 	}
 
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->destroy.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->mode.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->transform.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->scale.link);
-
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->damage_destroy.link);
-	wl_list_remove(&output->sway_output->damage_frame.link);
-
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "OUTPUT: Destroying output '%s'", output->name);
-	container_destroy(output);
-	return &root_container;
+	free(ws_name);
+	container_create_notify(output);
+	return output;
 }
 
-struct sway_container *output_by_name(const char *name) {
-	for (int i = 0; i < root_container.children->length; ++i) {
-		struct sway_container *output = root_container.children->items[i];
-		if (strcasecmp(output->name, name) == 0){
-			return output;
-		}
-	}
-	return NULL;
-}
diff --git a/sway/tree/view.c b/sway/tree/view.c
index 09c804e4..aa010a40 100644
--- a/sway/tree/view.c
+++ b/sway/tree/view.c
@@ -27,8 +27,7 @@ void view_destroy(struct sway_view *view) {
 		view_unmap(view);
 	}
 
-	container_view_destroy(view->swayc);
-	free(view);
+	container_destroy(view->swayc);
 }
 
 const char *view_get_title(struct sway_view *view) {
@@ -78,16 +77,6 @@ void view_close(struct sway_view *view) {
 	}
 }
 
-struct sway_container *container_view_destroy(struct sway_container *view) {
-	if (!view) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
-	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Destroying view '%s'", view->name);
-	struct sway_container *parent = container_destroy(view);
-	arrange_windows(parent, -1, -1);
-	return parent;
-}
-
 void view_damage_whole(struct sway_view *view) {
 	for (int i = 0; i < root_container.children->length; ++i) {
 		struct sway_container *cont = root_container.children->items[i];
@@ -160,10 +149,12 @@ void view_unmap(struct sway_view *view) {
 
 	view_damage_whole(view);
 
-	container_view_destroy(view->swayc);
+	struct sway_container *parent = container_destroy(view->swayc);
 
 	view->swayc = NULL;
 	view->surface = NULL;
+
+	arrange_windows(parent, -1, -1);
 }
 
 void view_update_position(struct sway_view *view, double ox, double oy) {
diff --git a/sway/tree/workspace.c b/sway/tree/workspace.c
index 8077de2e..316f01e4 100644
--- a/sway/tree/workspace.c
+++ b/sway/tree/workspace.c
@@ -14,6 +14,58 @@
 #include "log.h"
 #include "util.h"
 
+static struct sway_container *get_workspace_initial_output(const char *name) {
+	struct sway_container *parent;
+	// Search for workspace<->output pair
+	int e = config->workspace_outputs->length;
+	for (int i = 0; i < config->workspace_outputs->length; ++i) {
+		struct workspace_output *wso = config->workspace_outputs->items[i];
+		if (strcasecmp(wso->workspace, name) == 0) {
+			// Find output to use if it exists
+			e = root_container.children->length;
+			for (i = 0; i < e; ++i) {
+				parent = root_container.children->items[i];
+				if (strcmp(parent->name, wso->output) == 0) {
+					return parent;
+				}
+			}
+			break;
+		}
+	}
+	// Otherwise put it on the focused output
+	struct sway_seat *seat = input_manager_current_seat(input_manager);
+	struct sway_container *focus =
+		seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, &root_container);
+	parent = focus;
+	parent = container_parent(parent, C_OUTPUT);
+	return parent;
+}
+
+struct sway_container *workspace_create(struct sway_container *output,
+		const char *name) {
+	if (output == NULL) {
+		output = get_workspace_initial_output(name);
+	}
+
+	wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "Added workspace %s for output %s", name, output->name);
+	struct sway_container *workspace = container_create(C_WORKSPACE);
+
+	workspace->x = output->x;
+	workspace->y = output->y;
+	workspace->width = output->width;
+	workspace->height = output->height;
+	workspace->name = !name ? NULL : strdup(name);
+	workspace->prev_layout = L_NONE;
+	workspace->layout = container_get_default_layout(output);
+	workspace->workspace_layout = workspace->layout;
+
+	container_add_child(output, workspace);
+	container_sort_workspaces(output);
+	container_create_notify(workspace);
+
+	return workspace;
+}
+
 char *prev_workspace_name = NULL;
 struct workspace_by_number_data {
 	int len;
@@ -197,74 +249,6 @@ struct sway_container *workspace_by_name(const char *name) {
 	}
 }
 
-struct sway_container *workspace_create(const char *name) {
-	struct sway_container *parent;
-	// Search for workspace<->output pair
-	int i, e = config->workspace_outputs->length;
-	for (i = 0; i < e; ++i) {
-		struct workspace_output *wso = config->workspace_outputs->items[i];
-		if (strcasecmp(wso->workspace, name) == 0) {
-			// Find output to use if it exists
-			e = root_container.children->length;
-			for (i = 0; i < e; ++i) {
-				parent = root_container.children->items[i];
-				if (strcmp(parent->name, wso->output) == 0) {
-					return container_workspace_create(parent, name);
-				}
-			}
-			break;
-		}
-	}
-	// Otherwise create a new one
-	struct sway_seat *seat = input_manager_current_seat(input_manager);
-	struct sway_container *focus =
-		seat_get_focus_inactive(seat, &root_container);
-	parent = focus;
-	parent = container_parent(parent, C_OUTPUT);
-	struct sway_container *new_ws = container_workspace_create(parent, name);
-	ipc_event_workspace(NULL, new_ws, "init");
-	return new_ws;
-}
-
-struct sway_container *container_workspace_destroy(
-		struct sway_container *workspace) {
-	if (!sway_assert(workspace, "cannot destroy null workspace")) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	// Do not destroy this if it's the last workspace on this output
-	struct sway_container *output = container_parent(workspace, C_OUTPUT);
-	if (output && output->children->length == 1) {
-		return NULL;
-	}
-
-	struct sway_container *parent = workspace->parent;
-	if (workspace->children->length == 0) {
-		// destroy the WS if there are no children (TODO check for floating)
-		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "destroying workspace '%s'", workspace->name);
-		ipc_event_workspace(workspace, NULL, "empty");
-	} else {
-		// Move children to a different workspace on this output
-		struct sway_container *new_workspace = NULL;
-		// TODO move floating
-		for (int i = 0; i < output->children->length; i++) {
-			if (output->children->items[i] != workspace) {
-				new_workspace = output->children->items[i];
-				break;
-			}
-		}
-
-		wlr_log(L_DEBUG, "moving children to different workspace '%s' -> '%s'",
-			workspace->name, new_workspace->name);
-		for (int i = 0; i < workspace->children->length; i++) {
-			container_move_to(workspace->children->items[i], new_workspace);
-		}
-	}
-
-	container_destroy(workspace);
-	return parent;
-}
-
 /**
  * Get the previous or next workspace on the specified output. Wraps around at
  * the end and beginning.  If next is false, the previous workspace is returned,
@@ -376,7 +360,9 @@ bool workspace_switch(struct sway_container *workspace) {
 			&& active_ws == workspace
 			&& prev_workspace_name) {
 		struct sway_container *new_ws = workspace_by_name(prev_workspace_name);
-		workspace = new_ws ? new_ws : workspace_create(prev_workspace_name);
+		workspace = new_ws ?
+			new_ws :
+			workspace_create(NULL, prev_workspace_name);
 	}
 
 	if (!prev_workspace_name || (strcmp(prev_workspace_name, active_ws->name)