diff --git a/include/ipc.h b/include/ipc.h
index a3f60e19..9063b933 100644
--- a/include/ipc.h
+++ b/include/ipc.h
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@ enum ipc_command_type {
 	IPC_EVENT_BINDING = ((1<<31) | 5),
 	IPC_EVENT_SHUTDOWN = ((1<<31) | 6),
 	IPC_EVENT_TICK = ((1<<31) | 7),
+
+	// sway-specific event types
+	IPC_EVENT_BAR_STATE_UPDATE = ((1<<31) | 20),
 };
 
 #endif
diff --git a/include/sway/config.h b/include/sway/config.h
index f21ecbb1..be5a00b5 100644
--- a/include/sway/config.h
+++ b/include/sway/config.h
@@ -191,6 +191,7 @@ struct bar_config {
 	 * In "show" mode, it will always be shown on top of the active workspace.
 	 */
 	char *hidden_state;
+	bool visible_by_modifier; // only relevant in "hide" mode
 	/**
 	 * Id name used to identify the bar through IPC.
 	 *
diff --git a/include/sway/ipc-server.h b/include/sway/ipc-server.h
index 80180ec4..3c43f74d 100644
--- a/include/sway/ipc-server.h
+++ b/include/sway/ipc-server.h
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ void ipc_event_workspace(struct sway_workspace *old,
 		struct sway_workspace *new, const char *change);
 void ipc_event_window(struct sway_container *window, const char *change);
 void ipc_event_barconfig_update(struct bar_config *bar);
+void ipc_event_bar_state_update(struct bar_config *bar);
 void ipc_event_mode(const char *mode, bool pango);
 void ipc_event_shutdown(const char *reason);
 void ipc_event_binding(struct sway_binding *binding);
diff --git a/include/swaybar/bar.h b/include/swaybar/bar.h
index de234111..9ff3fe7b 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/bar.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/bar.h
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ enum hotspot_event_handling {
 };
 
 struct swaybar_hotspot {
-	struct wl_list link;
+	struct wl_list link; // swaybar_output::hotspots
 	int x, y, width, height;
 	enum hotspot_event_handling (*callback)(struct swaybar_output *output,
 			int x, int y, enum x11_button button, void *data);
@@ -46,6 +46,15 @@ struct swaybar_hotspot {
 };
 
 struct swaybar {
+	char *id;
+	char *mode;
+	bool mode_pango_markup;
+
+	// only relevant when bar is in "hide" mode
+	bool visible_by_modifier;
+	bool visible_by_urgency;
+	bool visible;
+
 	struct wl_display *display;
 	struct wl_compositor *compositor;
 	struct zwlr_layer_shell_v1 *layer_shell;
@@ -60,11 +69,11 @@ struct swaybar {
 	int ipc_event_socketfd;
 	int ipc_socketfd;
 
-	struct wl_list outputs;
+	struct wl_list outputs; // swaybar_output::link
 };
 
 struct swaybar_output {
-	struct wl_list link;
+	struct wl_list link; // swaybar::outputs
 	struct swaybar *bar;
 	struct wl_output *output;
 	struct zxdg_output_v1 *xdg_output;
@@ -72,8 +81,8 @@ struct swaybar_output {
 	struct zwlr_layer_surface_v1 *layer_surface;
 	uint32_t wl_name;
 
-	struct wl_list workspaces;
-	struct wl_list hotspots;
+	struct wl_list workspaces; // swaybar_workspace::link
+	struct wl_list hotspots; // swaybar_hotspot::link
 
 	char *name;
 	bool focused;
@@ -88,7 +97,7 @@ struct swaybar_output {
 };
 
 struct swaybar_workspace {
-	struct wl_list link;
+	struct wl_list link; // swaybar_output::workspaces
 	int num;
 	char *name;
 	bool focused;
@@ -96,10 +105,24 @@ struct swaybar_workspace {
 	bool urgent;
 };
 
-bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar, const char *socket_path, const char *bar_id);
+bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar, const char *socket_path);
 void bar_run(struct swaybar *bar);
 void bar_teardown(struct swaybar *bar);
 
+/*
+ * Determines whether the bar should be visible and changes it to be so.
+ * If the current visibility of the bar is the different to what it should be,
+ * then it adds or destroys the layer surface as required,
+ * as well as sending the cont or stop signal to the status command.
+ * If the current visibility of the bar is already what it should be,
+ * then this function is a no-op, unless moving_layer is true, which occurs
+ * when the bar changes from "hide" to "dock" mode or vice versa, and the bar
+ * needs to be destroyed and re-added in order to change its layer.
+ *
+ * Returns true if the bar is now visible, otherwise false.
+ */
+bool determine_bar_visibility(struct swaybar *bar, bool moving_layer);
+void free_hotspots(struct wl_list *list);
 void free_workspaces(struct wl_list *list);
 
 #endif
diff --git a/include/swaybar/config.h b/include/swaybar/config.h
index d0336c27..5d40790a 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/config.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/config.h
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ struct box_colors {
 };
 
 struct config_output {
-	struct wl_list link;
+	struct wl_list link; // swaybar_config::outputs
 	char *name;
 	size_t index;
 };
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ struct swaybar_config {
 	char *font;
 	char *sep_symbol;
 	char *mode;
-	bool mode_pango_markup;
+	char *hidden_state;
+	char *modifier;
 	bool strip_workspace_numbers;
 	bool binding_mode_indicator;
 	bool wrap_scroll;
diff --git a/include/swaybar/i3bar.h b/include/swaybar/i3bar.h
index 12d9b317..d4a48e07 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/i3bar.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/i3bar.h
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "status_line.h"
 
 struct i3bar_block {
-	struct wl_list link;
+	struct wl_list link; // status_link::blocks
 	int ref_count;
 	char *full_text, *short_text, *align;
 	bool urgent;
diff --git a/include/swaybar/ipc.h b/include/swaybar/ipc.h
index 8731dac2..d8cd0c76 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/ipc.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/ipc.h
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@
 #include <stdbool.h>
 #include "swaybar/bar.h"
 
-bool ipc_initialize(struct swaybar *bar, const char *bar_id);
+bool ipc_initialize(struct swaybar *bar);
 bool handle_ipc_readable(struct swaybar *bar);
-void ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar);
+bool ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar);
 void ipc_send_workspace_command(struct swaybar *bar, const char *ws);
 void ipc_execute_binding(struct swaybar *bar, struct swaybar_binding *bind);
 
diff --git a/include/swaybar/status_line.h b/include/swaybar/status_line.h
index ca88b0c5..5e7e8771 100644
--- a/include/swaybar/status_line.h
+++ b/include/swaybar/status_line.h
@@ -22,6 +22,9 @@ struct status_line {
 	const char *text;
 	struct wl_list blocks; // i3bar_block::link
 
+	int stop_signal;
+	int cont_signal;
+
 	bool click_events;
 	bool clicked;
 	char *buffer;
diff --git a/sway/commands/bar/hidden_state.c b/sway/commands/bar/hidden_state.c
index 502ce2c4..28adf6c7 100644
--- a/sway/commands/bar/hidden_state.c
+++ b/sway/commands/bar/hidden_state.c
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ static struct cmd_results *bar_set_hidden_state(struct bar_config *bar,
 	}
 	// free old mode
 	free(old_state);
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_hidden_state(int argc, char **argv) {
@@ -50,24 +50,20 @@ struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_hidden_state(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	const char *state = argv[0];
 	if (config->reading) {
-		return bar_set_hidden_state(config->current_bar, state);
-	}
-
-	const char *id = NULL;
-	if (argc == 2) {
-		id = argv[1];
-	}
-	struct bar_config *bar;
-	for (int i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
-		bar = config->bars->items[i];
-		if (id && strcmp(id, bar->id) == 0) {
-			return bar_set_hidden_state(bar, state);
-		}
-
-		error = bar_set_hidden_state(bar, state);
-		if (error) {
-			return error;
+		error = bar_set_hidden_state(config->current_bar, state);
+	} else {
+		const char *id = argc == 2 ? argv[1] : NULL;
+		for (int i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
+			struct bar_config *bar = config->bars->items[i];
+			if (id) {
+				if (strcmp(id, bar->id) == 0) {
+					error = bar_set_hidden_state(bar, state);
+					break;
+				}
+			} else if ((error = bar_set_hidden_state(bar, state))) {
+				break;
+			}
 		}
 	}
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return error ? error : cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/commands/bar/mode.c b/sway/commands/bar/mode.c
index 28e2d77b..dbdd3897 100644
--- a/sway/commands/bar/mode.c
+++ b/sway/commands/bar/mode.c
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ static struct cmd_results *bar_set_mode(struct bar_config *bar, const char *mode
 
 	// free old mode
 	free(old_mode);
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return NULL;
 }
 
 struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_mode(int argc, char **argv) {
@@ -51,24 +51,20 @@ struct cmd_results *bar_cmd_mode(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	const char *mode = argv[0];
 	if (config->reading) {
-		return bar_set_mode(config->current_bar, mode);
-	}
-
-	const char *id = NULL;
-	if (argc == 2) {
-		id = argv[1];
-	}
-
-	struct bar_config *bar;
-	for (int i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
-		bar = config->bars->items[i];
-		if (id && strcmp(id, bar->id) == 0) {
-			return bar_set_mode(bar, mode);
-		}
-		error = bar_set_mode(bar, mode);
-		if (error) {
-			return error;
+		error = bar_set_mode(config->current_bar, mode);
+	} else {
+		const char *id = argc == 2 ? argv[1] : NULL;
+		for (int i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
+			struct bar_config *bar = config->bars->items[i];
+			if (id) {
+				if (strcmp(id, bar->id) == 0) {
+					error = bar_set_mode(bar, mode);
+					break;
+				}
+			} else if ((error = bar_set_mode(bar, mode))) {
+				break;
+			}
 		}
 	}
-	return cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
+	return error ? error : cmd_results_new(CMD_SUCCESS, NULL, NULL);
 }
diff --git a/sway/config/bar.c b/sway/config/bar.c
index 5726e95b..8b88642e 100644
--- a/sway/config/bar.c
+++ b/sway/config/bar.c
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 #include "stringop.h"
 #include "list.h"
 #include "log.h"
+#include "util.h"
 
 static void terminate_swaybar(pid_t pid) {
 	wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Terminating swaybar %d", pid);
@@ -101,6 +102,7 @@ struct bar_config *default_bar_config(void) {
 	bar->binding_mode_indicator = true;
 	bar->verbose = false;
 	bar->pid = 0;
+	bar->modifier = get_modifier_mask_by_name("Mod4");
 	if (!(bar->mode = strdup("dock"))) {
 	       goto cleanup;
 	}
diff --git a/sway/input/keyboard.c b/sway/input/keyboard.c
index fb1fe7b5..2c8b41cd 100644
--- a/sway/input/keyboard.c
+++ b/sway/input/keyboard.c
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@
 #include "sway/input/input-manager.h"
 #include "sway/input/keyboard.h"
 #include "sway/input/seat.h"
+#include "sway/ipc-server.h"
 #include "log.h"
 
 /**
@@ -66,10 +67,10 @@ static void update_shortcut_state(struct sway_shortcut_state *state,
 	bool last_key_was_a_modifier = raw_modifiers != state->last_raw_modifiers;
 	state->last_raw_modifiers = raw_modifiers;
 
-    if (last_key_was_a_modifier && state->last_keycode) {
-        // Last pressed key before this one was a modifier
-        state_erase_key(state, state->last_keycode);
-    }
+	if (last_key_was_a_modifier && state->last_keycode) {
+		// Last pressed key before this one was a modifier
+		state_erase_key(state, state->last_keycode);
+	}
 
 	if (event->state == WLR_KEY_PRESSED) {
 		// Add current key to set; there may be duplicates
@@ -235,7 +236,6 @@ static void handle_keyboard_key(struct wl_listener *listener, void *data) {
 				code_modifiers);
 	}
 
-
 	bool handled = false;
 
 	// Identify active release binding
@@ -337,6 +337,19 @@ static int handle_keyboard_repeat(void *data) {
 	return 0;
 }
 
+static void determine_bar_visibility(uint32_t modifiers) {
+	for (int i = 0; i < config->bars->length; ++i) {
+		struct bar_config *bar = config->bars->items[i];
+		if (strcmp(bar->mode, bar->hidden_state) == 0) { // both are "hide"
+			bool should_be_visible = (~modifiers & bar->modifier) == 0;
+			if (bar->visible_by_modifier != should_be_visible) {
+				bar->visible_by_modifier = should_be_visible;
+				ipc_event_bar_state_update(bar);
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 static void handle_keyboard_modifiers(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		void *data) {
 	struct sway_keyboard *keyboard =
@@ -346,6 +359,9 @@ static void handle_keyboard_modifiers(struct wl_listener *listener,
 		keyboard->seat_device->input_device->wlr_device;
 	wlr_seat_set_keyboard(wlr_seat, wlr_device);
 	wlr_seat_keyboard_notify_modifiers(wlr_seat, &wlr_device->keyboard->modifiers);
+
+	uint32_t modifiers = wlr_keyboard_get_modifiers(wlr_device->keyboard);
+	determine_bar_visibility(modifiers);
 }
 
 struct sway_keyboard *sway_keyboard_create(struct sway_seat *seat,
@@ -464,7 +480,7 @@ void sway_keyboard_configure(struct sway_keyboard *keyboard) {
 	keyboard->keyboard_key.notify = handle_keyboard_key;
 
 	wl_list_remove(&keyboard->keyboard_modifiers.link);
-	wl_signal_add( &wlr_device->keyboard->events.modifiers,
+	wl_signal_add(&wlr_device->keyboard->events.modifiers,
 		&keyboard->keyboard_modifiers);
 	keyboard->keyboard_modifiers.notify = handle_keyboard_modifiers;
 }
diff --git a/sway/ipc-server.c b/sway/ipc-server.c
index 2d915502..63c95503 100644
--- a/sway/ipc-server.c
+++ b/sway/ipc-server.c
@@ -349,6 +349,22 @@ void ipc_event_barconfig_update(struct bar_config *bar) {
 	json_object_put(json);
 }
 
+void ipc_event_bar_state_update(struct bar_config *bar) {
+	if (!ipc_has_event_listeners(IPC_EVENT_BAR_STATE_UPDATE)) {
+		return;
+	}
+	wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Sending bar_state_update event");
+
+	json_object *json = json_object_new_object();
+	json_object_object_add(json, "id", json_object_new_string(bar->id));
+	json_object_object_add(json, "visible_by_modifier",
+			json_object_new_boolean(bar->visible_by_modifier));
+
+	const char *json_string = json_object_to_json_string(json);
+	ipc_send_event(json_string, IPC_EVENT_BAR_STATE_UPDATE);
+	json_object_put(json);
+}
+
 void ipc_event_mode(const char *mode, bool pango) {
 	if (!ipc_has_event_listeners(IPC_EVENT_MODE)) {
 		return;
@@ -651,6 +667,8 @@ void ipc_client_handle_command(struct ipc_client *client) {
 				client->subscribed_events |= event_mask(IPC_EVENT_WORKSPACE);
 			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "barconfig_update") == 0) {
 				client->subscribed_events |= event_mask(IPC_EVENT_BARCONFIG_UPDATE);
+			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "bar_state_update") == 0) {
+				client->subscribed_events |= event_mask(IPC_EVENT_BAR_STATE_UPDATE);
 			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "mode") == 0) {
 				client->subscribed_events |= event_mask(IPC_EVENT_MODE);
 			} else if (strcmp(event_type, "shutdown") == 0) {
diff --git a/sway/sway-bar.5.scd b/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
index 6729c9ac..873741c0 100644
--- a/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway-bar.5.scd
@@ -65,6 +65,22 @@ Sway allows configuring swaybar in the sway configuration file.
 	is given, when mouse button _n_ has been released). To disable the default
 	behavior for a button, use the command _nop_.
 
+*mode* dock|hide|invisible
+	Specifies the visibility of the bar. In _dock_ mode, it is permanently
+	visible at one edge of the screen. In _hide_ mode, it is hidden unless the
+	modifier key is pressed, though this behaviour depends on the hidden state.
+	In _invisible_ mode, it is permanently hidden. Default is _dock_.
+
+*hidden\_state* hide|show
+	Specifies the behaviour of the bar when it is in _hide_ mode. When the
+	hidden state is _hide_, then it is normally hidden, and only unhidden by
+	pressing the modifier key or in case of urgency hints. When the hidden
+	state is _show_, then it is permanently visible, drawn on top of the
+	currently visible workspace. Default is _hide_.
+
+*modifier* <Modifier>|none
+	Specifies the modifier key that shows a hidden bar. Default is _Mod4_.
+
 ## TRAY
 
 Swaybar provides a system tray where third-party applications may place icons.
diff --git a/sway/sway.5.scd b/sway/sway.5.scd
index 2e1d13a8..67cc1cb1 100644
--- a/sway/sway.5.scd
+++ b/sway/sway.5.scd
@@ -614,6 +614,18 @@ match any output by using the output name "\*".
 *workspace\_layout* default|stacking|tabbed
 	Specifies the initial layout for new workspaces.
 
+# BAR CONTROL
+
+*bar hidden\_state* hide|show|toggle [<bar\_id>]
+	Sets the hidden state of the bar (see *sway-bar*(5)), either individually,
+	by specifying a bar id, or if none is given, for all bar instances.
+	_toggle_ switches between _hide_ and _show_.
+
+*bar mode* dock|hide|invisible|toggle [<bar\_id>]
+	Sets the mode of the bar (see *sway-bar*(5)), either individually,
+	by specifying a bar id, or if none is given, for all bar instances.
+	_toggle_ switches between _dock_ and _hide_.
+
 # CRITERIA
 
 A criteria is a string in the form of, for example:
diff --git a/swaybar/bar.c b/swaybar/bar.c
index 5b7fea71..9f72c94c 100644
--- a/swaybar/bar.c
+++ b/swaybar/bar.c
@@ -32,9 +32,21 @@
 
 static void bar_init(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	bar->config = init_config();
+	bar->visible = true;
 	wl_list_init(&bar->outputs);
 }
 
+void free_hotspots(struct wl_list *list) {
+	struct swaybar_hotspot *hotspot, *tmp;
+	wl_list_for_each_safe(hotspot, tmp, list, link) {
+		wl_list_remove(&hotspot->link);
+		if (hotspot->destroy) {
+			hotspot->destroy(hotspot->data);
+		}
+		free(hotspot);
+	}
+}
+
 void free_workspaces(struct wl_list *list) {
 	struct swaybar_workspace *ws, *tmp;
 	wl_list_for_each_safe(ws, tmp, list, link) {
@@ -59,14 +71,8 @@ static void swaybar_output_free(struct swaybar_output *output) {
 	wl_output_destroy(output->output);
 	destroy_buffer(&output->buffers[0]);
 	destroy_buffer(&output->buffers[1]);
+	free_hotspots(&output->hotspots);
 	free_workspaces(&output->workspaces);
-	struct swaybar_hotspot *hotspot, *hotspot_tmp;
-	wl_list_for_each_safe(hotspot, hotspot_tmp, &output->hotspots, link) {
-		if (hotspot->destroy) {
-			hotspot->destroy(hotspot->data);
-		}
-		free(hotspot);
-	}
 	wl_list_remove(&output->link);
 	free(output->name);
 	free(output);
@@ -75,9 +81,7 @@ static void swaybar_output_free(struct swaybar_output *output) {
 static void set_output_dirty(struct swaybar_output *output) {
 	if (output->frame_scheduled) {
 		output->dirty = true;
-		return;
-	}
-	if (output->surface) {
+	} else if (output->surface) {
 		render_frame(output);
 	}
 }
@@ -335,21 +339,68 @@ const struct wl_seat_listener seat_listener = {
 };
 
 static void add_layer_surface(struct swaybar_output *output) {
-	if (output->surface != NULL) {
+	if (output->layer_surface) {
 		return;
 	}
 	struct swaybar *bar = output->bar;
 
-	output->surface = wl_compositor_create_surface(bar->compositor);
-	assert(output->surface);
+	struct swaybar_config *config = bar->config;
+	bool hidden = strcmp(config->mode, "hide") == 0;
 	output->layer_surface = zwlr_layer_shell_v1_get_layer_surface(
 			bar->layer_shell, output->surface, output->output,
+			hidden ? ZWLR_LAYER_SHELL_V1_LAYER_TOP :
 			ZWLR_LAYER_SHELL_V1_LAYER_BOTTOM, "panel");
 	assert(output->layer_surface);
 	zwlr_layer_surface_v1_add_listener(output->layer_surface,
 			&layer_surface_listener, output);
-	zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_anchor(output->layer_surface,
-			bar->config->position);
+
+	zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_anchor(output->layer_surface, config->position);
+	if (hidden) {
+		zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_exclusive_zone(output->layer_surface, -1);
+	}
+}
+
+static void destroy_layer_surface(struct swaybar_output *output) {
+	if (!output->layer_surface) {
+		return;
+	}
+	zwlr_layer_surface_v1_destroy(output->layer_surface);
+	wl_surface_attach(output->surface, NULL, 0, 0); // detach buffer
+	output->layer_surface = NULL;
+	output->width = 0;
+	output->frame_scheduled = false;
+}
+
+bool determine_bar_visibility(struct swaybar *bar, bool moving_layer) {
+	struct swaybar_config *config = bar->config;
+	bool visible = !(strcmp(config->mode, "invisible") == 0 ||
+		(strcmp(config->mode, config->hidden_state) == 0 // both "hide"
+			&& !bar->visible_by_modifier && !bar->visible_by_urgency));
+
+	struct swaybar_output *output;
+	if (visible == bar->visible) {
+		if (visible && moving_layer) {
+			// need to destroy layer surface to move to a different layer
+			wl_list_for_each(output, &bar->outputs, link) {
+				destroy_layer_surface(output);
+				add_layer_surface(output);
+			}
+		}
+	} else {
+		bar->visible = visible;
+		wl_list_for_each(output, &bar->outputs, link) {
+			if (visible) {
+				add_layer_surface(output);
+			} else {
+				destroy_layer_surface(output);
+			}
+		}
+		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Sending %s signal to status command",
+				visible ? "cont" : "stop");
+		kill(bar->status->pid,
+				visible ? bar->status->cont_signal : bar->status->stop_signal);
+	}
+	return visible;
 }
 
 static bool bar_uses_output(struct swaybar *bar, const char *name) {
@@ -420,8 +471,11 @@ static void xdg_output_handle_done(void *data,
 		wl_list_remove(&output->link);
 		wl_list_insert(&bar->outputs, &output->link);
 
-		add_layer_surface(output);
-		set_output_dirty(output);
+		output->surface = wl_compositor_create_surface(bar->compositor);
+		assert(output->surface);
+		if (bar->visible) {
+			add_layer_surface(output);
+		}
 	}
 }
 
@@ -517,14 +571,13 @@ static void set_bar_dirty(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	}
 }
 
-bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar,
-		const char *socket_path, const char *bar_id) {
+bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar, const char *socket_path) {
 	bar_init(bar);
 	init_event_loop();
 
 	bar->ipc_socketfd = ipc_open_socket(socket_path);
 	bar->ipc_event_socketfd = ipc_open_socket(socket_path);
-	if (!ipc_initialize(bar, bar_id)) {
+	if (!ipc_initialize(bar)) {
 		return false;
 	}
 	if (bar->config->status_command) {
@@ -565,8 +618,11 @@ bool bar_setup(struct swaybar *bar,
 	pointer->cursor_surface = wl_compositor_create_surface(bar->compositor);
 	assert(pointer->cursor_surface);
 
-	ipc_get_workspaces(bar);
-	set_bar_dirty(bar);
+	if (bar->config->workspace_buttons) {
+		if (ipc_get_workspaces(bar)) {
+			set_bar_dirty(bar);
+		}
+	}
 	return true;
 }
 
@@ -625,4 +681,6 @@ void bar_teardown(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	if (bar->status) {
 		status_line_free(bar->status);
 	}
+	free(bar->id);
+	free(bar->mode);
 }
diff --git a/swaybar/config.c b/swaybar/config.c
index 09d40c24..eafb0b69 100644
--- a/swaybar/config.c
+++ b/swaybar/config.c
@@ -30,7 +30,8 @@ struct swaybar_config *init_config(void) {
 	config->pango_markup = false;
 	config->position = parse_position("bottom");
 	config->font = strdup("monospace 10");
-	config->mode = NULL;
+	config->mode = strdup("dock");
+	config->hidden_state = strdup("hide");
 	config->sep_symbol = NULL;
 	config->strip_workspace_numbers = false;
 	config->binding_mode_indicator = true;
@@ -84,6 +85,7 @@ void free_config(struct swaybar_config *config) {
 	free(config->status_command);
 	free(config->font);
 	free(config->mode);
+	free(config->hidden_state);
 	free(config->sep_symbol);
 	for (int i = 0; i < config->bindings->length; i++) {
 		struct swaybar_binding *binding = config->bindings->items[i];
diff --git a/swaybar/ipc.c b/swaybar/ipc.c
index a67814c1..e1b30b52 100644
--- a/swaybar/ipc.c
+++ b/swaybar/ipc.c
@@ -152,12 +152,12 @@ static bool ipc_parse_config(
 		json_object_put(bar_config);
 		return false;
 	}
-	json_object *markup, *mode, *hidden_bar, *position, *status_command;
+	json_object *markup, *mode, *hidden_state, *position, *status_command;
 	json_object *font, *bar_height, *wrap_scroll, *workspace_buttons, *strip_workspace_numbers;
 	json_object *binding_mode_indicator, *verbose, *colors, *sep_symbol, *outputs;
 	json_object *bindings;
 	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "mode", &mode);
-	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "hidden_bar", &hidden_bar);
+	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "hidden_state", &hidden_state);
 	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "position", &position);
 	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "status_command", &status_command);
 	json_object_object_get_ex(bar_config, "font", &font);
@@ -220,6 +220,14 @@ static bool ipc_parse_config(
 			list_add(config->bindings, binding);
 		}
 	}
+	if (hidden_state) {
+		free(config->hidden_state);
+		config->hidden_state = strdup(json_object_get_string(hidden_state));
+	}
+	if (mode) {
+		free(config->mode);
+		config->mode = strdup(json_object_get_string(mode));
+	}
 
 	struct config_output *output, *tmp;
 	wl_list_for_each_safe(output, tmp, &config->outputs, link) {
@@ -254,7 +262,7 @@ static bool ipc_parse_config(
 	return true;
 }
 
-void ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
+bool ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	struct swaybar_output *output;
 	wl_list_for_each(output, &bar->outputs, link) {
 		free_workspaces(&output->workspaces);
@@ -266,8 +274,10 @@ void ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	json_object *results = json_tokener_parse(res);
 	if (!results) {
 		free(res);
-		return;
+		return false;
 	}
+
+	bar->visible_by_urgency = false;
 	size_t length = json_object_array_length(results);
 	json_object *ws_json;
 	json_object *num, *name, *visible, *focused, *out, *urgent;
@@ -294,12 +304,16 @@ void ipc_get_workspaces(struct swaybar *bar) {
 					output->focused = true;
 				}
 				ws->urgent = json_object_get_boolean(urgent);
+				if (ws->urgent) {
+					bar->visible_by_urgency = true;
+				}
 				wl_list_insert(&output->workspaces, &ws->link);
 			}
 		}
 	}
 	json_object_put(results);
 	free(res);
+	return determine_bar_visibility(bar, false);
 }
 
 static void ipc_get_outputs(struct swaybar *bar) {
@@ -345,10 +359,10 @@ void ipc_execute_binding(struct swaybar *bar, struct swaybar_binding *bind) {
 			IPC_COMMAND, bind->command, &len));
 }
 
-bool ipc_initialize(struct swaybar *bar, const char *bar_id) {
-	uint32_t len = strlen(bar_id);
+bool ipc_initialize(struct swaybar *bar) {
+	uint32_t len = strlen(bar->id);
 	char *res = ipc_single_command(bar->ipc_socketfd,
-			IPC_GET_BAR_CONFIG, bar_id, &len);
+			IPC_GET_BAR_CONFIG, bar->id, &len);
 	if (!ipc_parse_config(bar->config, res)) {
 		free(res);
 		return false;
@@ -356,56 +370,108 @@ bool ipc_initialize(struct swaybar *bar, const char *bar_id) {
 	free(res);
 	ipc_get_outputs(bar);
 
-	const char *subscribe = "[ \"workspace\", \"mode\" ]";
-	len = strlen(subscribe);
+	struct swaybar_config *config = bar->config;
+	char subscribe[128]; // suitably large buffer
+	len = snprintf(subscribe, 128,
+			"[ \"barconfig_update\" , \"bar_state_update\" %s %s ]",
+			config->binding_mode_indicator ? ", \"mode\"" : "",
+			config->workspace_buttons ? ", \"workspace\"" : "");
 	free(ipc_single_command(bar->ipc_event_socketfd,
 			IPC_SUBSCRIBE, subscribe, &len));
 	return true;
 }
 
+static bool handle_bar_state_update(struct swaybar *bar, json_object *event) {
+	json_object *json_id;
+	json_object_object_get_ex(event, "id", &json_id);
+	const char *id = json_object_get_string(json_id);
+	if (strcmp(id, bar->id) != 0) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	json_object *visible_by_modifier;
+	json_object_object_get_ex(event, "visible_by_modifier", &visible_by_modifier);
+	bar->visible_by_modifier = json_object_get_boolean(visible_by_modifier);
+	return determine_bar_visibility(bar, false);
+}
+
+static bool handle_barconfig_update(struct swaybar *bar,
+		json_object *json_config) {
+	json_object *json_id;
+	json_object_object_get_ex(json_config, "id", &json_id);
+	const char *id = json_object_get_string(json_id);
+	if (strcmp(id, bar->id) != 0) {
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	struct swaybar_config *config = bar->config;
+
+	json_object *json_state;
+	json_object_object_get_ex(json_config, "hidden_state", &json_state);
+	const char *new_state = json_object_get_string(json_state);
+	char *old_state = config->hidden_state;
+	if (strcmp(new_state, old_state) != 0) {
+		wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Changing bar hidden state to %s", new_state);
+		free(old_state);
+		config->hidden_state = strdup(new_state);
+		return determine_bar_visibility(bar, false);
+	}
+
+	free(config->mode);
+	json_object *json_mode;
+	json_object_object_get_ex(json_config, "mode", &json_mode);
+	config->mode = strdup(json_object_get_string(json_mode));
+	wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Changing bar mode to %s", config->mode);
+
+	return determine_bar_visibility(bar, true);
+}
+
 bool handle_ipc_readable(struct swaybar *bar) {
 	struct ipc_response *resp = ipc_recv_response(bar->ipc_event_socketfd);
 	if (!resp) {
 		return false;
 	}
+
+	json_object *result = json_tokener_parse(resp->payload);
+	if (!result) {
+		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "failed to parse payload as json");
+		free_ipc_response(resp);
+		return false;
+	}
+
+	bool bar_is_dirty = true;
 	switch (resp->type) {
 	case IPC_EVENT_WORKSPACE:
-		ipc_get_workspaces(bar);
+		bar_is_dirty = ipc_get_workspaces(bar);
 		break;
 	case IPC_EVENT_MODE: {
-		json_object *result = json_tokener_parse(resp->payload);
-		if (!result) {
-			free_ipc_response(resp);
-			wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "failed to parse payload as json");
-			return false;
-		}
 		json_object *json_change, *json_pango_markup;
 		if (json_object_object_get_ex(result, "change", &json_change)) {
 			const char *change = json_object_get_string(json_change);
-			free(bar->config->mode);
-			if (strcmp(change, "default") == 0) {
-				bar->config->mode = NULL;
-			} else {
-				bar->config->mode = strdup(change);
-			}
+			free(bar->mode);
+			bar->mode = strcmp(change, "default") != 0 ? strdup(change) : NULL;
 		} else {
 			wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "failed to parse response");
-			json_object_put(result);
-			free_ipc_response(resp);
-			return false;
+			bar_is_dirty = false;
+			break;
 		}
 		if (json_object_object_get_ex(result,
 					"pango_markup", &json_pango_markup)) {
-			bar->config->mode_pango_markup = json_object_get_boolean(
-					json_pango_markup);
+			bar->mode_pango_markup = json_object_get_boolean(json_pango_markup);
 		}
-		json_object_put(result);
 		break;
 	}
+	case IPC_EVENT_BARCONFIG_UPDATE:
+		bar_is_dirty = handle_barconfig_update(bar, result);
+		break;
+	case IPC_EVENT_BAR_STATE_UPDATE:
+		bar_is_dirty = handle_bar_state_update(bar, result);
+		break;
 	default:
-		free_ipc_response(resp);
-		return false;
+		bar_is_dirty = false;
+		break;
 	}
+	json_object_put(result);
 	free_ipc_response(resp);
-	return true;
+	return bar_is_dirty;
 }
diff --git a/swaybar/main.c b/swaybar/main.c
index db204f4a..2672abef 100644
--- a/swaybar/main.c
+++ b/swaybar/main.c
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ void sway_terminate(int code) {
 
 int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 	char *socket_path = NULL;
-	char *bar_id = NULL;
 	bool debug = false;
 
 	static struct option long_options[] = {
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 			socket_path = strdup(optarg);
 			break;
 		case 'b': // Type
-			bar_id = strdup(optarg);
+			swaybar.id = strdup(optarg);
 			break;
 		case 'v':
 			fprintf(stdout, "swaybar version " SWAY_VERSION "\n");
@@ -80,7 +79,7 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 		wlr_log_init(WLR_ERROR, NULL);
 	}
 
-	if (!bar_id) {
+	if (!swaybar.id) {
 		wlr_log(WLR_ERROR, "No bar_id passed. "
 				"Provide --bar_id or let sway start swaybar");
 		return 1;
@@ -96,13 +95,12 @@ int main(int argc, char **argv) {
 
 	signal(SIGTERM, sig_handler);
 
-	if (!bar_setup(&swaybar, socket_path, bar_id)) {
+	if (!bar_setup(&swaybar, socket_path)) {
 		free(socket_path);
 		return 1;
 	}
 
 	free(socket_path);
-	free(bar_id);
 
 	bar_run(&swaybar);
 	bar_teardown(&swaybar);
diff --git a/swaybar/render.c b/swaybar/render.c
index dc31a5ea..097eb462 100644
--- a/swaybar/render.c
+++ b/swaybar/render.c
@@ -296,11 +296,15 @@ static uint32_t render_status_line(cairo_t *cairo,
 
 static uint32_t render_binding_mode_indicator(cairo_t *cairo,
 		struct swaybar_output *output, double x) {
+	const char *mode = output->bar->mode;
+	if (!mode) {
+		return 0;
+	}
+
 	struct swaybar_config *config = output->bar->config;
-	const char *mode = config->mode;
 	int text_width, text_height;
 	get_text_size(cairo, config->font, &text_width, &text_height, NULL,
-			output->scale, config->mode_pango_markup,
+			output->scale, output->bar->mode_pango_markup,
 			"%s", mode);
 
 	int ws_vertical_padding = WS_VERTICAL_PADDING * output->scale;
@@ -333,8 +337,8 @@ static uint32_t render_binding_mode_indicator(cairo_t *cairo,
 	double text_y = height / 2.0 - text_height / 2.0;
 	cairo_set_source_u32(cairo, config->colors.binding_mode.text);
 	cairo_move_to(cairo, x + width / 2 - text_width / 2, (int)floor(text_y));
-	pango_printf(cairo, config->font, output->scale, config->mode_pango_markup,
-			"%s", mode);
+	pango_printf(cairo, config->font, output->scale,
+			output->bar->mode_pango_markup, "%s", mode);
 	return output->height;
 }
 
@@ -465,7 +469,7 @@ static uint32_t render_to_cairo(cairo_t *cairo, struct swaybar_output *output) {
 			max_height = h > max_height ? h : max_height;
 		}
 	}
-	if (config->binding_mode_indicator && config->mode) {
+	if (config->binding_mode_indicator) {
 		uint32_t h = render_binding_mode_indicator(cairo, output, x);
 		max_height = h > max_height ? h : max_height;
 	}
@@ -490,16 +494,12 @@ static const struct wl_callback_listener output_frame_listener = {
 
 void render_frame(struct swaybar_output *output) {
 	assert(output->surface != NULL);
-
-	struct swaybar_hotspot *hotspot, *tmp;
-	wl_list_for_each_safe(hotspot, tmp, &output->hotspots, link) {
-		if (hotspot->destroy) {
-			hotspot->destroy(hotspot->data);
-		}
-		wl_list_remove(&hotspot->link);
-		free(hotspot);
+	if (!output->layer_surface) {
+		return;
 	}
 
+	free_hotspots(&output->hotspots);
+
 	cairo_surface_t *recorder = cairo_recording_surface_create(
 			CAIRO_CONTENT_COLOR_ALPHA, NULL);
 	cairo_t *cairo = cairo_create(recorder);
@@ -519,10 +519,12 @@ void render_frame(struct swaybar_output *output) {
 	if (config_height >= 0 && height < (uint32_t)config_height) {
 		height = config_height;
 	}
-	if (height != output->height) {
+	if (height != output->height || output->width == 0) {
 		// Reconfigure surface
 		zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_size(output->layer_surface, 0, height);
-		zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_exclusive_zone(output->layer_surface, height);
+		if (strcmp(output->bar->config->mode, "dock") == 0) {
+			zwlr_layer_surface_v1_set_exclusive_zone(output->layer_surface, height);
+		}
 		// TODO: this could infinite loop if the compositor assigns us a
 		// different height than what we asked for
 		wl_surface_commit(output->surface);
diff --git a/swaybar/status_line.c b/swaybar/status_line.c
index ed6dc7c8..000609ce 100644
--- a/swaybar/status_line.c
+++ b/swaybar/status_line.c
@@ -83,6 +83,17 @@ bool status_handle_readable(struct status_line *status) {
 					return true;
 				}
 			}
+
+			json_object *signal;
+			if (json_object_object_get_ex(header, "stop_signal", &signal)) {
+				status->stop_signal = json_object_get_int(signal);
+				wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Setting stop signal to %d", status->stop_signal);
+			}
+			if (json_object_object_get_ex(header, "cont_signal", &signal)) {
+				status->cont_signal = json_object_get_int(signal);
+				wlr_log(WLR_DEBUG, "Setting cont signal to %d", status->cont_signal);
+			}
+
 			json_object_put(header);
 
 			wl_list_init(&status->blocks);
@@ -121,6 +132,9 @@ bool status_handle_readable(struct status_line *status) {
 
 struct status_line *status_line_init(char *cmd) {
 	struct status_line *status = calloc(1, sizeof(struct status_line));
+	status->stop_signal = SIGSTOP;
+	status->cont_signal = SIGCONT;
+
 	status->buffer_size = 8192;
 	status->buffer = malloc(status->buffer_size);