feat: Implement M3 design elevation & shadow effects

- Added global toggles in the Themes tab
- Light color & directional user ovverides
- Independent shadow overrides per/bar
- Refactored various components to sync the updated designs

quickshell/Common/ElevationShadow.qml

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+pragma ComponentBehavior: Bound
+
+import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Effects
+import qs.Common
+
+Item {
+    id: root
+
+    property var level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+    property string direction: Theme.elevationLightDirection
+    property real fallbackOffset: 4
+
+    property color targetColor: "white"
+    property real targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+    property color borderColor: "transparent"
+    property real borderWidth: 0
+
+    property bool shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
+    property real shadowBlurPx: level && level.blurPx !== undefined ? level.blurPx : 0
+    property real shadowSpreadPx: level && level.spreadPx !== undefined ? level.spreadPx : 0
+    property real shadowOffsetX: Theme.elevationOffsetXFor(level, direction, fallbackOffset)
+    property real shadowOffsetY: Theme.elevationOffsetYFor(level, direction, fallbackOffset)
+    property color shadowColor: Theme.elevationShadowColor(level)
+    property real shadowOpacity: 1
+    property real blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
+
+    property alias sourceRect: sourceRect
+
+    layer.enabled: shadowEnabled
+
+    layer.effect: MultiEffect {
+        autoPaddingEnabled: true
+        shadowEnabled: true
+        blurEnabled: false
+        maskEnabled: false
+        shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, root.shadowBlurPx / Math.max(1, root.blurMax)))
+        shadowScale: 1 + (2 * root.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(root.width, root.height))
+        shadowHorizontalOffset: root.shadowOffsetX
+        shadowVerticalOffset: root.shadowOffsetY
+        blurMax: root.blurMax
+        shadowColor: root.shadowColor
+        shadowOpacity: root.shadowOpacity
+    }
+
+    Rectangle {
+        id: sourceRect
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        radius: root.targetRadius
+        color: root.targetColor
+        border.color: root.borderColor
+        border.width: root.borderWidth
+    }
+}

quickshell/Common/SettingsData.qml

@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ import "settings/SettingsStore.js" as Store
 Singleton {
     id: root
 
-    readonly property int settingsConfigVersion: 5
+    readonly property int settingsConfigVersion: 6
 
     readonly property bool isGreeterMode: Quickshell.env("DMS_RUN_GREETER") === "1" || Quickshell.env("DMS_RUN_GREETER") === "true"
 
@@ -166,6 +166,24 @@ Singleton {
     property int modalCustomAnimationDuration: 150
     property bool enableRippleEffects: true
     onEnableRippleEffectsChanged: saveSettings()
+    property bool m3ElevationEnabled: true
+    onM3ElevationEnabledChanged: saveSettings()
+    property int m3ElevationIntensity: 12
+    onM3ElevationIntensityChanged: saveSettings()
+    property int m3ElevationOpacity: 30
+    onM3ElevationOpacityChanged: saveSettings()
+    property string m3ElevationColorMode: "default"
+    onM3ElevationColorModeChanged: saveSettings()
+    property string m3ElevationLightDirection: "top"
+    onM3ElevationLightDirectionChanged: saveSettings()
+    property string m3ElevationCustomColor: "#000000"
+    onM3ElevationCustomColorChanged: saveSettings()
+    property bool modalElevationEnabled: true
+    onModalElevationEnabledChanged: saveSettings()
+    property bool popoutElevationEnabled: true
+    onPopoutElevationEnabledChanged: saveSettings()
+    property bool barElevationEnabled: true
+    onBarElevationEnabledChanged: saveSettings()
     property string wallpaperFillMode: "Fill"
     property bool blurredWallpaperLayer: false
     property bool blurWallpaperOnOverview: false
@@ -609,7 +627,7 @@ Singleton {
             "scrollYBehavior": "workspace",
             "shadowIntensity": 0,
             "shadowOpacity": 60,
-            "shadowColorMode": "text",
+            "shadowColorMode": "default",
             "shadowCustomColor": "#000000",
             "clickThrough": false
         }

quickshell/Common/Theme.qml

@@ -673,6 +673,232 @@ Singleton {
     property color shadowMedium: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.08)
     property color shadowStrong: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)
 
+    readonly property bool elevationEnabled: typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && (SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true)
+    readonly property real elevationBlurMax: typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.m3ElevationIntensity !== undefined ? Math.min(128, Math.max(32, SettingsData.m3ElevationIntensity * 2)) : 64
+
+    readonly property real _elevMult: typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.m3ElevationIntensity !== undefined ? SettingsData.m3ElevationIntensity / 12 : 1
+    readonly property real _opMult: typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" && SettingsData.m3ElevationOpacity !== undefined ? SettingsData.m3ElevationOpacity / 60 : 1
+    function normalizeElevationDirection(direction) {
+        switch (direction) {
+        case "top":
+        case "topLeft":
+        case "topRight":
+        case "bottom":
+        case "bottomLeft":
+        case "bottomRight":
+        case "left":
+        case "right":
+        case "autoBar":
+            return direction;
+        default:
+            return "top";
+        }
+    }
+
+    readonly property string elevationLightDirection: {
+        if (typeof SettingsData === "undefined" || !SettingsData.m3ElevationLightDirection)
+            return "top";
+        switch (SettingsData.m3ElevationLightDirection) {
+        case "autoBar":
+        case "top":
+        case "topLeft":
+        case "topRight":
+        case "bottom":
+            return SettingsData.m3ElevationLightDirection;
+        default:
+            return "top";
+        }
+    }
+    readonly property real _elevDiagRatio: 0.55
+    readonly property string _globalElevationDirForTokens: {
+        const normalized = normalizeElevationDirection(elevationLightDirection);
+        return normalized === "autoBar" ? "top" : normalized;
+    }
+    readonly property real _elevDirX: {
+        switch (_globalElevationDirForTokens) {
+        case "topLeft":
+        case "bottomLeft":
+        case "left":
+            return 1;
+        case "topRight":
+        case "bottomRight":
+        case "right":
+            return -1;
+        default:
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+    readonly property real _elevDirY: {
+        switch (_globalElevationDirForTokens) {
+        case "bottom":
+        case "bottomLeft":
+        case "bottomRight":
+            return -1;
+        case "left":
+        case "right":
+            return 0;
+        default:
+            return 1;
+        }
+    }
+    readonly property real _elevDirXScale: (_globalElevationDirForTokens === "left" || _globalElevationDirForTokens === "right") ? 1 : _elevDiagRatio
+
+    readonly property var elevationLevel1: ({
+            blurPx: 4 * _elevMult,
+            offsetX: 1 * _elevMult * _elevDirXScale * _elevDirX,
+            offsetY: 1 * _elevMult * _elevDirY,
+            spreadPx: 0,
+            alpha: 0.2 * _opMult
+        })
+    readonly property var elevationLevel2: ({
+            blurPx: 8 * _elevMult,
+            offsetX: 4 * _elevMult * _elevDirXScale * _elevDirX,
+            offsetY: 4 * _elevMult * _elevDirY,
+            spreadPx: 0,
+            alpha: 0.25 * _opMult
+        })
+    readonly property var elevationLevel3: ({
+            blurPx: 12 * _elevMult,
+            offsetX: 6 * _elevMult * _elevDirXScale * _elevDirX,
+            offsetY: 6 * _elevMult * _elevDirY,
+            spreadPx: 0,
+            alpha: 0.3 * _opMult
+        })
+    readonly property var elevationLevel4: ({
+            blurPx: 16 * _elevMult,
+            offsetX: 8 * _elevMult * _elevDirXScale * _elevDirX,
+            offsetY: 8 * _elevMult * _elevDirY,
+            spreadPx: 0,
+            alpha: 0.3 * _opMult
+        })
+    readonly property var elevationLevel5: ({
+            blurPx: 20 * _elevMult,
+            offsetX: 10 * _elevMult * _elevDirXScale * _elevDirX,
+            offsetY: 10 * _elevMult * _elevDirY,
+            spreadPx: 0,
+            alpha: 0.3 * _opMult
+        })
+
+    function elevationOffsetMagnitude(level, fallback, direction) {
+        if (!level) {
+            return fallback !== undefined ? Math.abs(fallback) : 0;
+        }
+        const yMag = Math.abs(level.offsetY !== undefined ? level.offsetY : 0);
+        if (yMag > 0)
+            return yMag;
+        const xMag = Math.abs(level.offsetX !== undefined ? level.offsetX : 0);
+        if (xMag > 0) {
+            if (direction === "left" || direction === "right")
+                return xMag;
+            return xMag / _elevDiagRatio;
+        }
+        return fallback !== undefined ? Math.abs(fallback) : 0;
+    }
+
+    function elevationOffsetXFor(level, direction, fallback) {
+        const dir = normalizeElevationDirection(direction || elevationLightDirection);
+        const mag = elevationOffsetMagnitude(level, fallback, dir);
+        switch (dir) {
+        case "topLeft":
+        case "bottomLeft":
+            return mag * _elevDiagRatio;
+        case "topRight":
+        case "bottomRight":
+            return -mag * _elevDiagRatio;
+        case "left":
+            return mag;
+        case "right":
+            return -mag;
+        default:
+            return 0;
+        }
+    }
+
+    function elevationOffsetYFor(level, direction, fallback) {
+        const dir = normalizeElevationDirection(direction || elevationLightDirection);
+        const mag = elevationOffsetMagnitude(level, fallback, dir);
+        switch (dir) {
+        case "bottom":
+        case "bottomLeft":
+        case "bottomRight":
+            return -mag;
+        case "left":
+        case "right":
+            return 0;
+        default:
+            return mag;
+        }
+    }
+
+    function elevationOffsetX(level, fallback) {
+        return elevationOffsetXFor(level, elevationLightDirection, fallback);
+    }
+
+    function elevationOffsetY(level, fallback) {
+        return elevationOffsetYFor(level, elevationLightDirection, fallback);
+    }
+
+    function elevationRenderPadding(level, direction, fallbackOffset, extraPadding, minPadding) {
+        const dir = direction !== undefined ? direction : elevationLightDirection;
+        const blur = (level && level.blurPx !== undefined) ? Math.max(0, level.blurPx) : 0;
+        const spread = (level && level.spreadPx !== undefined) ? Math.max(0, level.spreadPx) : 0;
+        const fallback = fallbackOffset !== undefined ? fallbackOffset : 0;
+        const extra = extraPadding !== undefined ? extraPadding : 8;
+        const minPad = minPadding !== undefined ? minPadding : 16;
+        const offsetX = Math.abs(elevationOffsetXFor(level, dir, fallback));
+        const offsetY = Math.abs(elevationOffsetYFor(level, dir, fallback));
+        return Math.max(minPad, blur + spread + Math.max(offsetX, offsetY) + extra);
+    }
+
+    function elevationShadowColor(level) {
+        const alpha = (level && level.alpha !== undefined) ? level.alpha : 0.3;
+        let r = 0;
+        let g = 0;
+        let b = 0;
+
+        if (typeof SettingsData !== "undefined") {
+            const mode = SettingsData.m3ElevationColorMode || "default";
+            if (mode === "default") {
+                r = 0;
+                g = 0;
+                b = 0;
+            } else if (mode === "text") {
+                r = surfaceText.r;
+                g = surfaceText.g;
+                b = surfaceText.b;
+            } else if (mode === "primary") {
+                r = primary.r;
+                g = primary.g;
+                b = primary.b;
+            } else if (mode === "surfaceVariant") {
+                r = surfaceVariant.r;
+                g = surfaceVariant.g;
+                b = surfaceVariant.b;
+            } else if (mode === "custom" && SettingsData.m3ElevationCustomColor) {
+                const c = Qt.color(SettingsData.m3ElevationCustomColor);
+                r = c.r;
+                g = c.g;
+                b = c.b;
+            }
+        }
+        return Qt.rgba(r, g, b, alpha);
+    }
+    function elevationTintOpacity(level) {
+        if (!level)
+            return 0;
+        if (level === elevationLevel1)
+            return 0.05;
+        if (level === elevationLevel2)
+            return 0.08;
+        if (level === elevationLevel3)
+            return 0.11;
+        if (level === elevationLevel4)
+            return 0.12;
+        if (level === elevationLevel5)
+            return 0.14;
+        return 0.08;
+    }
+
     readonly property var animationDurations: [
         {
             "shorter": 0,

quickshell/Common/settings/SettingsSpec.js

@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ var SPEC = {
     widgetColorMode: { def: "default" },
     controlCenterTileColorMode: { def: "primary" },
     buttonColorMode: { def: "primary" },
-    cornerRadius: { def: 12, onChange: "updateCompositorLayout" },
+    cornerRadius: { def: 16, onChange: "updateCompositorLayout" },
     niriLayoutGapsOverride: { def: -1, onChange: "updateCompositorLayout" },
     niriLayoutRadiusOverride: { def: -1, onChange: "updateCompositorLayout" },
     niriLayoutBorderSize: { def: -1, onChange: "updateCompositorLayout" },
@@ -47,6 +47,15 @@ var SPEC = {
     modalAnimationSpeed: { def: 1 },
     modalCustomAnimationDuration: { def: 150 },
     enableRippleEffects: { def: true },
+    m3ElevationEnabled: { def: true },
+    m3ElevationIntensity: { def: 12 },
+    m3ElevationOpacity: { def: 30 },
+    m3ElevationColorMode: { def: "default" },
+    m3ElevationLightDirection: { def: "top" },
+    m3ElevationCustomColor: { def: "#000000" },
+    modalElevationEnabled: { def: true },
+    popoutElevationEnabled: { def: true },
+    barElevationEnabled: { def: true },
     wallpaperFillMode: { def: "Fill" },
     blurredWallpaperLayer: { def: false },
     blurWallpaperOnOverview: { def: false },
@@ -432,7 +441,7 @@ var SPEC = {
             scrollYBehavior: "workspace",
             shadowIntensity: 0,
             shadowOpacity: 60,
-            shadowColorMode: "text",
+            shadowColorMode: "default",
             shadowCustomColor: "#000000",
             clickThrough: false
         }], onChange: "updateBarConfigs"

quickshell/Common/settings/SettingsStore.js

@@ -229,6 +229,25 @@ function migrateToVersion(obj, targetVersion) {
         settings.configVersion = 5;
     }
 
+    if (currentVersion < 6) {
+        console.info("Migrating settings from version", currentVersion, "to version 6");
+
+        if (settings.barElevationEnabled === undefined) {
+            var legacyBars = Array.isArray(settings.barConfigs) ? settings.barConfigs : [];
+            var hadLegacyBarShadowEnabled = false;
+            for (var j = 0; j < legacyBars.length; j++) {
+                var legacyIntensity = Number(legacyBars[j] && legacyBars[j].shadowIntensity);
+                if (!isNaN(legacyIntensity) && legacyIntensity > 0) {
+                    hadLegacyBarShadowEnabled = true;
+                    break;
+                }
+            }
+            settings.barElevationEnabled = hadLegacyBarShadowEnabled;
+        }
+
+        settings.configVersion = 6;
+    }
+
     return settings;
 }
 

quickshell/Modals/Common/DankModal.qml

@@ -32,9 +32,9 @@ Item {
     property list<real> animationExitCurve: Theme.expressiveCurves.emphasized
     property color backgroundColor: Theme.surfaceContainer
     property color borderColor: Theme.outlineMedium
-    property real borderWidth: 1
+    property real borderWidth: 0
     property real cornerRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
-    property bool enableShadow: false
+    property bool enableShadow: true
     property alias modalFocusScope: focusScope
     property bool shouldBeVisible: false
     property bool shouldHaveFocus: shouldBeVisible
@@ -142,7 +142,11 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
-    readonly property real shadowBuffer: 5
+    readonly property var shadowLevel: Theme.elevationLevel3
+    readonly property real shadowFallbackOffset: 6
+    readonly property real shadowRenderPadding: (root.enableShadow && Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.modalElevationEnabled) ? Theme.elevationRenderPadding(shadowLevel, Theme.elevationLightDirection, shadowFallbackOffset, 8, 16) : 0
+    readonly property real shadowMotionPadding: animationType === "slide" ? 30 : Math.max(0, animationOffset)
+    readonly property real shadowBuffer: Theme.snap(shadowRenderPadding + shadowMotionPadding, dpr)
     readonly property real alignedWidth: Theme.px(modalWidth, dpr)
     readonly property real alignedHeight: Theme.px(modalHeight, dpr)
 
@@ -377,12 +381,16 @@ Item {
                         }
                     }
 
-                    Rectangle {
+                    ElevationShadow {
+                        id: modalShadowLayer
                         anchors.fill: parent
-                        color: root.backgroundColor
-                        border.color: root.borderColor
-                        border.width: root.borderWidth
-                        radius: root.cornerRadius
+                        level: root.shadowLevel
+                        fallbackOffset: root.shadowFallbackOffset
+                        targetRadius: root.cornerRadius
+                        targetColor: root.backgroundColor
+                        borderColor: root.borderColor
+                        borderWidth: root.borderWidth
+                        shadowEnabled: root.enableShadow && Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.modalElevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
                     }
 
                     FocusScope {

quickshell/Modals/DankLauncherV2/DankLauncherV2Modal.qml

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Wayland
 import Quickshell.Hyprland
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ Item {
             return Theme.primary;
         }
     }
-    readonly property int borderWidth: SettingsData.dankLauncherV2BorderEnabled ? SettingsData.dankLauncherV2BorderThickness : 1
+    readonly property int borderWidth: SettingsData.dankLauncherV2BorderEnabled ? SettingsData.dankLauncherV2BorderThickness : 0
 
     signal dialogClosed
 
@@ -390,12 +391,16 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
-            Rectangle {
+            ElevationShadow {
+                id: launcherShadowLayer
                 anchors.fill: parent
-                color: root.backgroundColor
-                border.color: root.borderColor
-                border.width: root.borderWidth
-                radius: root.cornerRadius
+                level: Theme.elevationLevel3
+                fallbackOffset: 6
+                targetColor: root.backgroundColor
+                borderColor: root.borderColor
+                borderWidth: root.borderWidth
+                targetRadius: root.cornerRadius
+                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.modalElevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
             }
 
             MouseArea {

quickshell/Modules/ControlCenter/ControlCenterPopout.qml

@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ DankPopout {
     id: root
 
     layerNamespace: "dms:control-center"
-    fullHeightSurface: true
+    fullHeightSurface: false
 
     property string expandedSection: ""
     property var triggerScreen: null

quickshell/Modules/DankBar/BarCanvas.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import QtQuick.Shapes
 import qs.Common
 import qs.Services
@@ -53,15 +52,43 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
-    readonly property real shadowIntensity: barConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0
-    readonly property bool shadowEnabled: shadowIntensity > 0
-    readonly property int blurMax: 64
-    readonly property real shadowBlurPx: shadowIntensity * 0.2
-    readonly property real shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBlurPx / blurMax))
-    readonly property real shadowOpacity: (barConfig?.shadowOpacity ?? 60) / 100
-    readonly property string shadowColorMode: barConfig?.shadowColorMode ?? "text"
-    readonly property color shadowBaseColor: {
-        switch (shadowColorMode) {
+    // M3 elevation shadow — Level 2 baseline (navigation bar), with per-bar override support
+    readonly property bool hasPerBarOverride: (barConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) > 0
+    readonly property var elevLevel: Theme.elevationLevel2
+    readonly property bool shadowEnabled: (Theme.elevationEnabled && (typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" ? (SettingsData.barElevationEnabled ?? true) : false)) || hasPerBarOverride
+    readonly property string autoBarShadowDirection: isTop ? "top" : (isBottom ? "bottom" : (isLeft ? "left" : (isRight ? "right" : "top")))
+    readonly property string globalShadowDirection: Theme.elevationLightDirection === "autoBar" ? autoBarShadowDirection : Theme.elevationLightDirection
+    readonly property string perBarShadowDirectionMode: barConfig?.shadowDirectionMode ?? "inherit"
+    readonly property string perBarManualShadowDirection: {
+        switch (barConfig?.shadowDirection) {
+        case "top":
+        case "topLeft":
+        case "topRight":
+        case "bottom":
+            return barConfig.shadowDirection;
+        default:
+            return "top";
+        }
+    }
+    readonly property string effectiveShadowDirection: {
+        if (!hasPerBarOverride)
+            return globalShadowDirection;
+        switch (perBarShadowDirectionMode) {
+        case "autoBar":
+            return autoBarShadowDirection;
+        case "manual":
+            return perBarManualShadowDirection === "autoBar" ? autoBarShadowDirection : perBarManualShadowDirection;
+        default:
+            return globalShadowDirection;
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Per-bar override values (when barConfig.shadowIntensity > 0)
+    readonly property real overrideBlurPx: (barConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) * 0.2
+    readonly property real overrideOpacity: (barConfig?.shadowOpacity ?? 60) / 100
+    readonly property string overrideColorMode: barConfig?.shadowColorMode ?? "default"
+    readonly property color overrideBaseColor: {
+        switch (overrideColorMode) {
         case "surface":
             return Theme.surface;
         case "primary":
@@ -71,10 +98,16 @@ Item {
         case "custom":
             return barConfig?.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000";
         default:
-            return Theme.surfaceText;
+            return "#000000";
         }
     }
-    readonly property color shadowColor: Theme.withAlpha(shadowBaseColor, shadowOpacity * barWindow._backgroundAlpha)
+
+    // Resolved values — per-bar override wins if set, otherwise use global M3 elevation
+    readonly property real shadowBlurPx: hasPerBarOverride ? overrideBlurPx : (elevLevel.blurPx ?? 8)
+    readonly property color shadowColor: hasPerBarOverride ? Theme.withAlpha(overrideBaseColor, overrideOpacity) : Theme.elevationShadowColor(elevLevel)
+    readonly property real shadowOffsetMagnitude: hasPerBarOverride ? (overrideBlurPx * 0.5) : Theme.elevationOffsetMagnitude(elevLevel, 4, effectiveShadowDirection)
+    readonly property real shadowOffsetX: Theme.elevationOffsetXFor(hasPerBarOverride ? null : elevLevel, effectiveShadowDirection, shadowOffsetMagnitude)
+    readonly property real shadowOffsetY: Theme.elevationOffsetYFor(hasPerBarOverride ? null : elevLevel, effectiveShadowDirection, shadowOffsetMagnitude)
 
     readonly property string mainPath: generatePathForPosition(width, height)
     readonly property string borderFullPath: generateBorderFullPath(width, height)
@@ -118,42 +151,28 @@ Item {
         }
     }
 
-    Loader {
-        id: shadowLoader
-        anchors.fill: parent
-        active: root.shadowEnabled && mainPathCorrectShape
-        asynchronous: false
-        sourceComponent: Item {
-            anchors.fill: parent
+    ElevationShadow {
+        id: barShadow
+        visible: root.shadowEnabled && root.width > 0 && root.height > 0
 
-            layer.enabled: true
-            layer.smooth: true
-            layer.samples: 8
-            layer.textureSize: Qt.size(Math.round(width * barWindow._dpr * 2), Math.round(height * barWindow._dpr * 2))
-            layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                shadowEnabled: true
-                shadowBlur: root.shadowBlur
-                shadowColor: root.shadowColor
-                shadowVerticalOffset: root.isTop ? root.shadowBlurPx * 0.5 : (root.isBottom ? -root.shadowBlurPx * 0.5 : 0)
-                shadowHorizontalOffset: root.isLeft ? root.shadowBlurPx * 0.5 : (root.isRight ? -root.shadowBlurPx * 0.5 : 0)
-                autoPaddingEnabled: true
-            }
+        // Size to the bar's rectangular body, excluding gothic wing extensions
+        x: root.isRight ? root.wing : 0
+        y: root.isBottom ? root.wing : 0
+        width: axis.isVertical ? (parent.width - root.wing) : parent.width
+        height: axis.isVertical ? parent.height : (parent.height - root.wing)
 
-            Shape {
-                anchors.fill: parent
-                preferredRendererType: Shape.CurveRenderer
+        shadowEnabled: root.shadowEnabled
+        level: root.hasPerBarOverride ? null : root.elevLevel
+        direction: root.effectiveShadowDirection
+        fallbackOffset: 4
+        targetRadius: root.rt
+        targetColor: barWindow._bgColor
 
-                ShapePath {
-                    fillColor: barWindow._bgColor
-                    strokeColor: "transparent"
-                    strokeWidth: 0
-
-                    PathSvg {
-                        path: root.mainPath
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-        }
+        shadowBlurPx: root.shadowBlurPx
+        shadowOffsetX: root.shadowOffsetX
+        shadowOffsetY: root.shadowOffsetY
+        shadowColor: root.shadowColor
+        blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
     }
 
     Loader {

quickshell/Modules/DankBar/DankBarWindow.qml

@@ -140,6 +140,20 @@ PanelWindow {
     }
     readonly property real _dpr: CompositorService.getScreenScale(barWindow.screen)
 
+    // Shadow buffer: extra window space for shadow to render beyond bar bounds
+    readonly property bool _shadowActive: (Theme.elevationEnabled && (typeof SettingsData !== "undefined" ? (SettingsData.barElevationEnabled ?? true) : false)) || (barConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) > 0
+    readonly property real _shadowBuffer: {
+        if (!_shadowActive)
+            return 0;
+        const hasOverride = (barConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) > 0;
+        if (hasOverride) {
+            const blur = (barConfig.shadowIntensity ?? 0) * 0.2;
+            const offset = blur * 0.5;
+            return Theme.snap(Math.max(16, blur + offset + 8), _dpr);
+        }
+        return Theme.snap(Theme.elevationRenderPadding(Theme.elevationLevel2, "top", 4, 8, 16), _dpr);
+    }
+
     property string screenName: modelData.name
 
     property bool hasMaximizedToplevel: false
@@ -354,8 +368,8 @@ PanelWindow {
     }
 
     screen: modelData
-    implicitHeight: !isVertical ? Theme.px(effectiveBarThickness + effectiveSpacing + ((barConfig?.gothCornersEnabled ?? false) && !hasMaximizedToplevel ? _wingR : 0), _dpr) : 0
-    implicitWidth: isVertical ? Theme.px(effectiveBarThickness + effectiveSpacing + ((barConfig?.gothCornersEnabled ?? false) && !hasMaximizedToplevel ? _wingR : 0), _dpr) : 0
+    implicitHeight: !isVertical ? Theme.px(effectiveBarThickness + effectiveSpacing + ((barConfig?.gothCornersEnabled ?? false) && !hasMaximizedToplevel ? _wingR : 0), _dpr) + _shadowBuffer : 0
+    implicitWidth: isVertical ? Theme.px(effectiveBarThickness + effectiveSpacing + ((barConfig?.gothCornersEnabled ?? false) && !hasMaximizedToplevel ? _wingR : 0), _dpr) + _shadowBuffer : 0
     color: "transparent"
 
     property var nativeInhibitor: null

quickshell/Modules/DankBar/Widgets/Media.qml

@@ -178,8 +178,9 @@ BasePill {
                             if (root.popoutTarget && root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition) {
                                 const globalPos = parent.mapToItem(null, 0, 0);
                                 const currentScreen = root.parentScreen || Screen;
-                                const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, root.barThickness, parent.width);
-                                root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, root.section, currentScreen);
+                                const barPosition = root.axis?.edge === "left" ? 2 : (root.axis?.edge === "right" ? 3 : (root.axis?.edge === "top" ? 0 : 1));
+                                const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, root.barThickness, parent.width, root.barSpacing, barPosition, root.barConfig);
+                                root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, root.section, currentScreen, barPosition, root.barThickness, root.barSpacing, root.barConfig);
                             }
                             root.clicked();
                         }
@@ -334,8 +335,9 @@ BasePill {
                                 if (root.popoutTarget && root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition) {
                                     const globalPos = mapToItem(null, 0, 0);
                                     const currentScreen = root.parentScreen || Screen;
-                                    const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, root.barThickness, root.width);
-                                    root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, root.section, currentScreen);
+                                    const barPosition = root.axis?.edge === "left" ? 2 : (root.axis?.edge === "right" ? 3 : (root.axis?.edge === "top" ? 0 : 1));
+                                    const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, root.barThickness, root.width, root.barSpacing, barPosition, root.barConfig);
+                                    root.popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, root.section, currentScreen, barPosition, root.barThickness, root.barSpacing, root.barConfig);
                                 }
                                 root.clicked();
                             }

quickshell/Modules/DankBar/Widgets/SystemTrayBar.qml

@@ -940,9 +940,10 @@ BasePill {
                     }
                 })(), overflowMenu.dpr)
 
-            property real shadowBlurPx: 10
-            property real shadowSpreadPx: 0
-            property real shadowBaseAlpha: 0.60
+            readonly property var elev: Theme.elevationLevel2
+            property real shadowBlurPx: elev && elev.blurPx !== undefined ? elev.blurPx : 8
+            property real shadowSpreadPx: elev && elev.spreadPx !== undefined ? elev.spreadPx : 0
+            property real shadowBaseAlpha: elev && elev.alpha !== undefined ? elev.alpha : 0.25
             readonly property real popupSurfaceAlpha: Theme.popupTransparency
             readonly property real effectiveShadowAlpha: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBaseAlpha * popupSurfaceAlpha))
 
@@ -963,37 +964,26 @@ BasePill {
                 }
             }
 
-            Item {
+            ElevationShadow {
                 id: bgShadowLayer
                 anchors.fill: parent
-                layer.enabled: true
+                level: menuContainer.elev
+                fallbackOffset: 4
+                shadowBlurPx: menuContainer.shadowBlurPx
+                shadowSpreadPx: menuContainer.shadowSpreadPx
+                shadowColor: {
+                    const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
+                    return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, menuContainer.effectiveShadowAlpha);
+                }
+                targetColor: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
+                targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+                sourceRect.antialiasing: true
+                sourceRect.smooth: true
+                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                 layer.smooth: true
                 layer.textureSize: Qt.size(Math.round(width * overflowMenu.dpr * 2), Math.round(height * overflowMenu.dpr * 2))
                 layer.textureMirroring: ShaderEffectSource.MirrorVertically
                 layer.samples: 4
-
-                readonly property int blurMax: 64
-
-                layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                    autoPaddingEnabled: true
-                    shadowEnabled: true
-                    blurEnabled: false
-                    maskEnabled: false
-                    shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, menuContainer.shadowBlurPx / bgShadowLayer.blurMax))
-                    shadowScale: 1 + (2 * menuContainer.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(bgShadowLayer.width, bgShadowLayer.height))
-                    shadowColor: {
-                        const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
-                        return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, menuContainer.effectiveShadowAlpha);
-                    }
-                }
-
-                Rectangle {
-                    anchors.fill: parent
-                    color: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
-                    radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-                    antialiasing: true
-                    smooth: true
-                }
             }
 
             Grid {
@@ -1412,9 +1402,10 @@ BasePill {
                             }
                         })(), menuWindow.dpr)
 
-                    property real shadowBlurPx: 10
-                    property real shadowSpreadPx: 0
-                    property real shadowBaseAlpha: 0.60
+                    readonly property var elev: Theme.elevationLevel2
+                    property real shadowBlurPx: elev && elev.blurPx !== undefined ? elev.blurPx : 8
+                    property real shadowSpreadPx: elev && elev.spreadPx !== undefined ? elev.spreadPx : 0
+                    property real shadowBaseAlpha: elev && elev.alpha !== undefined ? elev.alpha : 0.25
                     readonly property real popupSurfaceAlpha: Theme.popupTransparency
                     readonly property real effectiveShadowAlpha: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBaseAlpha * popupSurfaceAlpha))
 
@@ -1435,35 +1426,24 @@ BasePill {
                         }
                     }
 
-                    Item {
+                    ElevationShadow {
                         id: menuBgShadowLayer
                         anchors.fill: parent
-                        layer.enabled: true
+                        level: menuContainer.elev
+                        fallbackOffset: 4
+                        shadowBlurPx: menuContainer.shadowBlurPx
+                        shadowSpreadPx: menuContainer.shadowSpreadPx
+                        shadowColor: {
+                            const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
+                            return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, menuContainer.effectiveShadowAlpha);
+                        }
+                        targetColor: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
+                        targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+                        sourceRect.antialiasing: true
+                        shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                         layer.smooth: true
                         layer.textureSize: Qt.size(Math.round(width * menuWindow.dpr), Math.round(height * menuWindow.dpr))
                         layer.textureMirroring: ShaderEffectSource.MirrorVertically
-
-                        readonly property int blurMax: 64
-
-                        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                            autoPaddingEnabled: true
-                            shadowEnabled: true
-                            blurEnabled: false
-                            maskEnabled: false
-                            shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, menuContainer.shadowBlurPx / menuBgShadowLayer.blurMax))
-                            shadowScale: 1 + (2 * menuContainer.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(menuBgShadowLayer.width, menuBgShadowLayer.height))
-                            shadowColor: {
-                                const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
-                                return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, menuContainer.effectiveShadowAlpha);
-                            }
-                        }
-
-                        Rectangle {
-                            anchors.fill: parent
-                            color: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
-                            radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-                            antialiasing: true
-                        }
                     }
 
                     QsMenuAnchor {

quickshell/Modules/DankBar/Widgets/SystemUpdate.qml

@@ -177,8 +177,9 @@ BasePill {
             if (popoutTarget && popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition) {
                 const globalPos = root.visualContent.mapToItem(null, 0, 0);
                 const currentScreen = parentScreen || Screen;
-                const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, barThickness, root.visualWidth);
-                popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, section, currentScreen);
+                const barPosition = root.axis?.edge === "left" ? 2 : (root.axis?.edge === "right" ? 3 : (root.axis?.edge === "top" ? 0 : 1));
+                const pos = SettingsData.getPopupTriggerPosition(globalPos, currentScreen, barThickness, root.visualWidth, root.barSpacing, barPosition, root.barConfig);
+                popoutTarget.setTriggerPosition(pos.x, pos.y, pos.width, section, currentScreen, barPosition, barThickness, root.barSpacing, root.barConfig);
             }
             root.clicked();
         }

quickshell/Modules/DankDash/MediaDropdownOverlay.qml

@@ -89,14 +89,18 @@ Item {
             }
         }
 
-        layer.enabled: true
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 8
-            shadowBlur: 1.0
-            shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4)
-            shadowOpacity: 0.7
+        ElevationShadow {
+            id: volumeShadowLayer
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+            fallbackOffset: 4
+            targetRadius: volumePanel.radius
+            targetColor: volumePanel.color
+            borderColor: volumePanel.border.color
+            borderWidth: volumePanel.border.width
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha : 0.25
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         MouseArea {
@@ -223,14 +227,18 @@ Item {
             }
         }
 
-        layer.enabled: true
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 8
-            shadowBlur: 1.0
-            shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4)
-            shadowOpacity: 0.7
+        ElevationShadow {
+            id: audioDevicesShadowLayer
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+            fallbackOffset: 4
+            targetRadius: audioDevicesPanel.radius
+            targetColor: audioDevicesPanel.color
+            borderColor: audioDevicesPanel.border.color
+            borderWidth: audioDevicesPanel.border.width
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha : 0.25
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         Column {
@@ -373,14 +381,18 @@ Item {
             }
         }
 
-        layer.enabled: true
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 8
-            shadowBlur: 1.0
-            shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4)
-            shadowOpacity: 0.7
+        ElevationShadow {
+            id: playersShadowLayer
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+            fallbackOffset: 4
+            targetRadius: playersPanel.radius
+            targetColor: playersPanel.color
+            borderColor: playersPanel.border.color
+            borderWidth: playersPanel.border.width
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha : 0.25
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         Column {

quickshell/Modules/DankDash/MediaPlayerTab.qml

@@ -529,14 +529,15 @@ Item {
                                     onClicked: activePlayer && activePlayer.togglePlaying()
                                 }
 
-                                layer.enabled: true
-                                layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                                    shadowEnabled: true
-                                    shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                                    shadowVerticalOffset: 0
-                                    shadowBlur: 1.0
-                                    shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)
-                                    shadowOpacity: 0.3
+                                ElevationShadow {
+                                    anchors.fill: parent
+                                    z: -1
+                                    level: Theme.elevationLevel1
+                                    fallbackOffset: 1
+                                    targetRadius: parent.radius
+                                    targetColor: parent.color
+                                    shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha : 0.2
+                                    shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                                 }
                             }
                         }

quickshell/Modules/DankDash/WeatherTab.qml

@@ -241,14 +241,15 @@ Item {
                             color: Theme.primary
                             anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
-                            layer.enabled: true
+                            layer.enabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                             layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                                shadowEnabled: true
-                                shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                                shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-                                shadowBlur: 0.8
-                                shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)
-                                shadowOpacity: 0.2
+                                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
+                                shadowHorizontalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel1)
+                                shadowVerticalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel1, 1)
+                                shadowBlur: Theme.elevationEnabled ? Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx : 4) / Theme.elevationBlurMax)) : 0
+                                blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
+                                shadowColor: Theme.elevationShadowColor(Theme.elevationLevel1)
+                                shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha : 0.2
                             }
                         }
 
@@ -812,14 +813,14 @@ Item {
                     x: (pos?.h ?? 0) * skyBox.effectiveWidth - (moonPhase.width / 2) + skyBox.hMargin
                     y: (pos?.v ?? 0) * -(skyBox.effectiveHeight / 2) + skyBox.effectiveHeight / 2 - (moonPhase.height / 2) + skyBox.vMargin
 
-                    layer.enabled: true
+                    layer.enabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                     layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                        shadowEnabled: true
-                        shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                        shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-                        shadowBlur: 0.8
-                        shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)
-                        shadowOpacity: 0.2
+                        shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
+                        shadowHorizontalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel2)
+                        shadowVerticalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel2, 4)
+                        shadowBlur: Theme.elevationEnabled ? Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.blurPx !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.blurPx : 8) / Theme.elevationBlurMax)) : 0
+                        blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
+                        shadowColor: Theme.elevationShadowColor(Theme.elevationLevel2)
                     }
                 }
 
@@ -834,14 +835,14 @@ Item {
                     x: (pos?.h ?? 0) * skyBox.effectiveWidth - (sun.width / 2) + skyBox.hMargin
                     y: (pos?.v ?? 0) * -(skyBox.effectiveHeight / 2) + skyBox.effectiveHeight / 2 - (sun.height / 2) + skyBox.vMargin
 
-                    layer.enabled: true
+                    layer.enabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                     layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                        shadowEnabled: true
-                        shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                        shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-                        shadowBlur: 0.8
-                        shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)
-                        shadowOpacity: 0.2
+                        shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
+                        shadowHorizontalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel2)
+                        shadowVerticalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel2, 4)
+                        shadowBlur: Theme.elevationEnabled ? Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.blurPx !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.blurPx : 8) / Theme.elevationBlurMax)) : 0
+                        blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
+                        shadowColor: Theme.elevationShadowColor(Theme.elevationLevel2)
                     }
                 }
             }

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/HistoryNotificationCard.qml

@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import QtQuick
+import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import qs.Common
 import qs.Services
@@ -30,7 +31,21 @@ Rectangle {
     width: parent ? parent.width : 400
     height: baseCardHeight + contentItem.extraHeight
     radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-    clip: true
+    clip: false
+    readonly property bool shadowsAllowed: Theme.elevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
+
+    ElevationShadow {
+        id: shadowLayer
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        z: -1
+        level: Theme.elevationLevel1
+        fallbackOffset: 1
+        targetRadius: root.radius
+        targetColor: root.color
+        borderColor: root.border.color
+        borderWidth: root.border.width
+        shadowEnabled: root.shadowsAllowed
+    }
 
     color: {
         if (isSelected && keyboardNavigationActive)
@@ -49,7 +64,7 @@ Rectangle {
             return 1.5;
         if (historyItem.urgency === 2)
             return 2;
-        return 1;
+        return 0;
     }
 
     Behavior on border.color {

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/HistoryNotificationList.qml

@@ -232,6 +232,11 @@ Item {
             height: parent.height - filterChips.height - Theme.spacingS
             clip: true
             spacing: Theme.spacingS
+            readonly property real horizontalShadowGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingXS, 4), 1)
+            readonly property real verticalShadowGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingS, 8), 1)
+            readonly property real delegateShadowGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingXS, 4), 1)
+            topMargin: verticalShadowGutter
+            bottomMargin: verticalShadowGutter
 
             model: ScriptModel {
                 id: historyModel
@@ -263,13 +268,14 @@ Item {
                 }
 
                 width: ListView.view.width
-                height: historyCard.height
-                clip: true
+                height: historyCard.height + historyListView.delegateShadowGutter
+                clip: false
 
                 HistoryNotificationCard {
                     id: historyCard
-                    width: parent.width
-                    x: delegateRoot.swipeOffset
+                    width: Math.max(0, parent.width - (historyListView.horizontalShadowGutter * 2))
+                    y: historyListView.delegateShadowGutter / 2
+                    x: historyListView.horizontalShadowGutter + delegateRoot.swipeOffset
                     historyItem: modelData
                     isSelected: root.keyboardActive && root.selectedIndex === index
                     keyboardNavigationActive: root.keyboardActive

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/KeyboardNavigatedNotificationList.qml

@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@ DankListView {
     property real swipingCardOffset: 0
     property real __pendingStableHeight: 0
     property real __heightUpdateThreshold: 20
+    readonly property real shadowBlurPx: Theme.elevationEnabled ? ((Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx !== undefined) ? Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx : 4) : 0
+    readonly property real shadowHorizontalGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingS, Math.min(32, shadowBlurPx * 1.5 + 6)), 1)
+    readonly property real shadowVerticalGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingXS, 6), 1)
+    readonly property real delegateShadowGutter: Theme.snap(Math.max(Theme.spacingXS, 4), 1)
 
     Component.onCompleted: {
         Qt.callLater(() => {
@@ -56,21 +60,26 @@ DankListView {
             let delta = 0;
             for (let i = 0; i < count; i++) {
                 const item = itemAtIndex(i);
-                if (item && item.children[0] && item.children[0].isAnimating)
-                    delta += item.children[0].targetHeight - item.height;
+                if (item && item.children[0] && item.children[0].isAnimating) {
+                    const targetDelegateHeight = item.children[0].targetHeight + listView.delegateShadowGutter;
+                    delta += targetDelegateHeight - item.height;
+                }
             }
             const targetHeight = contentHeight + delta;
             // During expansion, always update immediately without threshold check
             stableContentHeight = targetHeight;
         } else {
             __pendingStableHeight = contentHeight;
-            heightUpdateDebounce.restart();
+            heightUpdateDebounce.stop();
+            stableContentHeight = __pendingStableHeight;
         }
     }
 
     clip: true
     model: NotificationService.groupedNotifications
     spacing: Theme.spacingL
+    topMargin: shadowVerticalGutter
+    bottomMargin: shadowVerticalGutter
 
     onIsUserScrollingChanged: {
         if (isUserScrolling && keyboardController && keyboardController.keyboardNavigationActive) {
@@ -134,8 +143,7 @@ DankListView {
         readonly property real dismissThreshold: width * 0.35
         property bool __delegateInitialized: false
 
-        readonly property bool isAdjacentToSwipe: listView.count >= 2 && listView.swipingCardIndex !== -1 &&
-            (index === listView.swipingCardIndex - 1 || index === listView.swipingCardIndex + 1)
+        readonly property bool isAdjacentToSwipe: listView.count >= 2 && listView.swipingCardIndex !== -1 && (index === listView.swipingCardIndex - 1 || index === listView.swipingCardIndex + 1)
         readonly property real adjacentSwipeInfluence: isAdjacentToSwipe ? listView.swipingCardOffset * 0.10 : 0
         readonly property real adjacentScaleInfluence: isAdjacentToSwipe ? 1.0 - Math.abs(listView.swipingCardOffset) / width * 0.02 : 1.0
         readonly property real swipeFadeStartOffset: width * 0.75
@@ -149,13 +157,14 @@ DankListView {
         }
 
         width: ListView.view.width
-        height: notificationCard.height
-        clip: notificationCard.isAnimating
+        height: notificationCard.height + listView.delegateShadowGutter
+        clip: false
 
         NotificationCard {
             id: notificationCard
-            width: parent.width
-            x: delegateRoot.swipeOffset + delegateRoot.adjacentSwipeInfluence
+            width: Math.max(0, parent.width - (listView.shadowHorizontalGutter * 2))
+            y: listView.delegateShadowGutter / 2
+            x: listView.shadowHorizontalGutter + delegateRoot.swipeOffset + delegateRoot.adjacentSwipeInfluence
             listLevelAdjacentScaleInfluence: delegateRoot.adjacentScaleInfluence
             listLevelScaleAnimationsEnabled: listView.swipingCardIndex === -1 || !delegateRoot.isAdjacentToSwipe
             notificationGroup: modelData

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCard.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 import QtQuick
 import QtQuick.Controls
+import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Services.Notifications
 import qs.Common
@@ -38,7 +39,14 @@ Rectangle {
     height: expanded ? (expandedContent.height + cardPadding * 2) : (baseCardHeight + collapsedContent.extraHeight)
     readonly property real targetHeight: expanded ? (expandedContent.height + cardPadding * 2) : (baseCardHeight + collapsedContent.extraHeight)
     radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-    scale: (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 1.01 : 1.0) * listLevelAdjacentScaleInfluence
+    scale: (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 1.004 : 1.0) * listLevelAdjacentScaleInfluence
+    readonly property bool shadowsAllowed: Theme.elevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
+    readonly property var shadowElevation: Theme.elevationLevel1
+    readonly property real baseShadowBlurPx: (shadowElevation && shadowElevation.blurPx !== undefined) ? shadowElevation.blurPx : 4
+    readonly property real hoverShadowBlurBoost: cardHoverHandler.hovered ? Math.min(2, baseShadowBlurPx * 0.25) : 0
+    property real shadowBlurPx: shadowsAllowed ? (baseShadowBlurPx + hoverShadowBlurBoost) : 0
+    property real shadowOffsetXPx: shadowsAllowed ? Theme.elevationOffsetX(shadowElevation) : 0
+    property real shadowOffsetYPx: shadowsAllowed ? (Theme.elevationOffsetY(shadowElevation, 1) + (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 0.35 : 0)) : 0
     property bool __initialized: false
 
     Component.onCompleted: {
@@ -56,6 +64,27 @@ Rectangle {
         }
     }
 
+    Behavior on shadowBlurPx {
+        NumberAnimation {
+            duration: Theme.shortDuration
+            easing.type: Theme.standardEasing
+        }
+    }
+
+    Behavior on shadowOffsetXPx {
+        NumberAnimation {
+            duration: Theme.shortDuration
+            easing.type: Theme.standardEasing
+        }
+    }
+
+    Behavior on shadowOffsetYPx {
+        NumberAnimation {
+            duration: Theme.shortDuration
+            easing.type: Theme.standardEasing
+        }
+    }
+
     Behavior on border.color {
         enabled: root.__initialized
         ColorAnimation {
@@ -95,14 +124,31 @@ Rectangle {
         if (notificationGroup?.latestNotification?.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical) {
             return 2;
         }
-        return 1;
+        return 0;
     }
-    clip: true
+    clip: false
 
     HoverHandler {
         id: cardHoverHandler
     }
 
+    ElevationShadow {
+        id: shadowLayer
+        anchors.fill: parent
+        z: -1
+        level: root.shadowElevation
+        targetRadius: root.radius
+        targetColor: root.color
+        borderColor: root.border.color
+        borderWidth: root.border.width
+        shadowBlurPx: root.shadowBlurPx
+        shadowSpreadPx: 0
+        shadowOffsetX: root.shadowOffsetXPx
+        shadowOffsetY: root.shadowOffsetYPx
+        shadowColor: root.shadowElevation ? Theme.elevationShadowColor(root.shadowElevation) : "transparent"
+        shadowEnabled: root.shadowsAllowed
+    }
+
     Rectangle {
         anchors.fill: parent
         radius: parent.radius
@@ -304,8 +350,13 @@ Rectangle {
 
                         onClicked: mouse => {
                             if (!parent.hoveredLink && (parent.hasMoreText || descriptionExpanded)) {
+                                root.userInitiatedExpansion = true;
                                 const messageId = (notificationGroup && notificationGroup.latestNotification && notificationGroup.latestNotification.notification && notificationGroup.latestNotification.notification.id) ? (notificationGroup.latestNotification.notification.id + "_desc") : "";
                                 NotificationService.toggleMessageExpansion(messageId);
+                                Qt.callLater(() => {
+                                    if (root && !root.isAnimating)
+                                        root.userInitiatedExpansion = false;
+                                });
                             }
                         }
 
@@ -419,9 +470,7 @@ Rectangle {
                         id: delegateRect
                         width: parent.width
 
-                        readonly property bool isAdjacentToSwipe: root.swipingNotificationIndex !== -1 &&
-                            (expandedDelegateWrapper.index === root.swipingNotificationIndex - 1 ||
-                             expandedDelegateWrapper.index === root.swipingNotificationIndex + 1)
+                        readonly property bool isAdjacentToSwipe: root.swipingNotificationIndex !== -1 && (expandedDelegateWrapper.index === root.swipingNotificationIndex - 1 || expandedDelegateWrapper.index === root.swipingNotificationIndex + 1)
                         readonly property real adjacentSwipeInfluence: isAdjacentToSwipe ? root.swipingNotificationOffset * 0.10 : 0
                         readonly property real adjacentScaleInfluence: isAdjacentToSwipe ? 1.0 - Math.abs(root.swipingNotificationOffset) / width * 0.02 : 1.0
 
@@ -605,7 +654,12 @@ Rectangle {
 
                                             onClicked: mouse => {
                                                 if (!parent.hoveredLink && (bodyText.hasMoreText || messageExpanded)) {
+                                                    root.userInitiatedExpansion = true;
                                                     NotificationService.toggleMessageExpansion(modelData?.notification?.id || "");
+                                                    Qt.callLater(() => {
+                                                        if (root && !root.isAnimating)
+                                                            root.userInitiatedExpansion = false;
+                                                    });
                                                 }
                                             }
 

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Center/NotificationCenterPopout.qml

@@ -7,15 +7,22 @@ DankPopout {
     id: root
 
     layerNamespace: "dms:notification-center-popout"
-    fullHeightSurface: true
+    fullHeightSurface: false
 
     property bool notificationHistoryVisible: false
     property var triggerScreen: null
     property real stablePopupHeight: 400
     property real _lastAlignedContentHeight: -1
+    property bool _pendingSizedOpen: false
 
     function updateStablePopupHeight() {
         const item = contentLoader.item;
+        if (item && !root.shouldBeVisible) {
+            const notificationList = findChild(item, "notificationList");
+            if (notificationList && typeof notificationList.forceLayout === "function") {
+                notificationList.forceLayout();
+            }
+        }
         const target = item ? Theme.px(item.implicitHeight, dpr) : 400;
         if (Math.abs(target - _lastAlignedContentHeight) < 0.5)
             return;
@@ -26,7 +33,7 @@ DankPopout {
     NotificationKeyboardController {
         id: keyboardController
         listView: null
-        isOpen: notificationHistoryVisible
+        isOpen: root.shouldBeVisible
         onClose: () => {
             notificationHistoryVisible = false;
         }
@@ -40,20 +47,42 @@ DankPopout {
     suspendShadowWhileResizing: false
 
     screen: triggerScreen
-    shouldBeVisible: notificationHistoryVisible
 
     function toggle() {
         notificationHistoryVisible = !notificationHistoryVisible;
     }
 
+    function openSized() {
+        if (!notificationHistoryVisible)
+            return;
+
+        primeContent();
+        if (contentLoader.item) {
+            updateStablePopupHeight();
+            _pendingSizedOpen = false;
+            Qt.callLater(() => {
+                if (!notificationHistoryVisible)
+                    return;
+                updateStablePopupHeight();
+                open();
+                clearPrimedContent();
+            });
+            return;
+        }
+
+        _pendingSizedOpen = true;
+    }
+
     onBackgroundClicked: {
         notificationHistoryVisible = false;
     }
 
     onNotificationHistoryVisibleChanged: {
         if (notificationHistoryVisible) {
-            open();
+            openSized();
         } else {
+            _pendingSizedOpen = false;
+            clearPrimedContent();
             close();
         }
     }
@@ -82,6 +111,17 @@ DankPopout {
         target: contentLoader
         function onLoaded() {
             root.updateStablePopupHeight();
+            if (root._pendingSizedOpen && root.notificationHistoryVisible) {
+                Qt.callLater(() => {
+                    if (!root._pendingSizedOpen || !root.notificationHistoryVisible)
+                        return;
+                    root.updateStablePopupHeight();
+                    root._pendingSizedOpen = false;
+                    root.open();
+                    root.clearPrimedContent();
+                });
+                return;
+            }
             if (root.shouldBeVisible)
                 Qt.callLater(root.setupKeyboardNavigation);
         }
@@ -139,7 +179,8 @@ DankPopout {
                 baseHeight += Theme.spacingM * 2;
 
                 const settingsHeight = notificationSettings.expanded ? notificationSettings.contentHeight : 0;
-                let listHeight = notificationHeader.currentTab === 0 ? notificationList.stableContentHeight : Math.max(200, NotificationService.historyList.length * 80);
+                const currentListHeight = root.shouldBeVisible ? notificationList.stableContentHeight : notificationList.listContentHeight;
+                let listHeight = notificationHeader.currentTab === 0 ? currentListHeight : Math.max(200, NotificationService.historyList.length * 80);
                 if (notificationHeader.currentTab === 0 && NotificationService.groupedNotifications.length === 0) {
                     listHeight = 200;
                 }
@@ -233,13 +274,21 @@ DankPopout {
                         expanded: notificationHeader.showSettings
                     }
 
-                    KeyboardNavigatedNotificationList {
-                        id: notificationList
-                        objectName: "notificationList"
+                    Item {
                         visible: notificationHeader.currentTab === 0
                         width: parent.width
                         height: parent.height - notificationContent.cachedHeaderHeight - notificationSettings.height - contentColumnInner.spacing * 2
-                        cardAnimateExpansion: true
+
+                        KeyboardNavigatedNotificationList {
+                            id: notificationList
+                            objectName: "notificationList"
+                            anchors.fill: parent
+                            anchors.leftMargin: -shadowHorizontalGutter
+                            anchors.rightMargin: -shadowHorizontalGutter
+                            anchors.topMargin: -(shadowVerticalGutter + delegateShadowGutter / 2)
+                            anchors.bottomMargin: -(shadowVerticalGutter + delegateShadowGutter / 2)
+                            cardAnimateExpansion: true
+                        }
                     }
 
                     HistoryNotificationList {

quickshell/Modules/Notifications/Popup/NotificationPopup.qml

@@ -118,8 +118,8 @@ PanelWindow {
     WlrLayershell.exclusiveZone: -1
     WlrLayershell.keyboardFocus: WlrKeyboardFocus.None
     color: "transparent"
-    implicitWidth: screen ? Math.min(400, Math.max(320, screen.width * 0.23)) : 380
-    implicitHeight: {
+    readonly property real contentImplicitWidth: screen ? Math.min(400, Math.max(320, screen.width * 0.23)) : 380
+    readonly property real contentImplicitHeight: {
         if (SettingsData.notificationPopupPrivacyMode && !descriptionExpanded)
             return basePopupHeightPrivacy;
         if (!descriptionExpanded)
@@ -130,6 +130,8 @@ PanelWindow {
             return basePopupHeight + bodyTextHeight - collapsedBodyHeight;
         return basePopupHeight;
     }
+    implicitWidth: contentImplicitWidth + (windowShadowPad * 2)
+    implicitHeight: contentImplicitHeight + (windowShadowPad * 2)
 
     Behavior on implicitHeight {
         enabled: !exiting && !_isDestroying
@@ -182,11 +184,15 @@ PanelWindow {
     property bool isTopCenter: SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === -1
     property bool isBottomCenter: SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.BottomCenter
     property bool isCenterPosition: isTopCenter || isBottomCenter
+    readonly property real maxPopupShadowBlurPx: Math.max((Theme.elevationLevel3 && Theme.elevationLevel3.blurPx !== undefined) ? Theme.elevationLevel3.blurPx : 12, (Theme.elevationLevel4 && Theme.elevationLevel4.blurPx !== undefined) ? Theme.elevationLevel4.blurPx : 16)
+    readonly property real maxPopupShadowOffsetXPx: Math.max(Math.abs(Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel3)), Math.abs(Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel4)))
+    readonly property real maxPopupShadowOffsetYPx: Math.max(Math.abs(Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel3, 6)), Math.abs(Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel4, 8)))
+    readonly property real windowShadowPad: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled ? Theme.snap(Math.max(16, maxPopupShadowBlurPx + Math.max(maxPopupShadowOffsetXPx, maxPopupShadowOffsetYPx) + 8), dpr) : 0
 
     anchors.top: true
-    anchors.bottom: true
-    anchors.left: SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Left || SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Bottom
-    anchors.right: SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Top || SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Right
+    anchors.left: true
+    anchors.bottom: false
+    anchors.right: false
 
     mask: contentInputMask
 
@@ -205,10 +211,10 @@ PanelWindow {
     }
 
     margins {
-        top: _storedTopMargin
-        bottom: _storedBottomMargin
-        left: getLeftMargin()
-        right: getRightMargin()
+        top: getWindowTopMargin()
+        bottom: 0
+        left: getWindowLeftMargin()
+        right: 0
     }
 
     function getBarInfo() {
@@ -250,7 +256,7 @@ PanelWindow {
 
     function getLeftMargin() {
         if (isCenterPosition)
-            return screen ? (screen.width - implicitWidth) / 2 : 0;
+            return screen ? (screen.width - alignedWidth) / 2 : 0;
 
         const popupPos = SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition;
         const isLeft = popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Left || popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Bottom;
@@ -274,23 +280,56 @@ PanelWindow {
         return barInfo.rightBar > 0 ? barInfo.rightBar : Theme.popupDistance;
     }
 
+    function getContentX() {
+        if (!screen)
+            return 0;
+
+        const popupPos = SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition;
+        const barLeft = getLeftMargin();
+        const barRight = getRightMargin();
+
+        if (isCenterPosition)
+            return Theme.snap((screen.width - alignedWidth) / 2, dpr);
+        if (popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Left || popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Bottom)
+            return Theme.snap(barLeft, dpr);
+        return Theme.snap(screen.width - alignedWidth - barRight, dpr);
+    }
+
+    function getContentY() {
+        if (!screen)
+            return 0;
+
+        const popupPos = SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition;
+        const barTop = getTopMargin();
+        const barBottom = getBottomMargin();
+        const isTop = isTopCenter || popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Top || popupPos === SettingsData.Position.Left;
+        if (isTop)
+            return Theme.snap(barTop, dpr);
+        return Theme.snap(screen.height - alignedHeight - barBottom, dpr);
+    }
+
+    function getWindowLeftMargin() {
+        if (!screen)
+            return 0;
+        return Theme.snap(getContentX() - windowShadowPad, dpr);
+    }
+
+    function getWindowTopMargin() {
+        if (!screen)
+            return 0;
+        return Theme.snap(getContentY() - windowShadowPad, dpr);
+    }
+
     readonly property bool screenValid: win.screen && !_isDestroying
     readonly property real dpr: screenValid ? CompositorService.getScreenScale(win.screen) : 1
-    readonly property real alignedWidth: Theme.px(implicitWidth, dpr)
-    readonly property real alignedHeight: Theme.px(implicitHeight, dpr)
+    readonly property real alignedWidth: Theme.px(Math.max(0, implicitWidth - (windowShadowPad * 2)), dpr)
+    readonly property real alignedHeight: Theme.px(Math.max(0, implicitHeight - (windowShadowPad * 2)), dpr)
 
     Item {
         id: content
 
-        x: Theme.snap((win.width - alignedWidth) / 2, dpr)
-        y: {
-            const isTop = isTopCenter || SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Top || SettingsData.notificationPopupPosition === SettingsData.Position.Left;
-            if (isTop) {
-                return Theme.snap(screenY, dpr);
-            } else {
-                return Theme.snap(win.height - alignedHeight - screenY, dpr);
-            }
-        }
+        x: Theme.snap(windowShadowPad, dpr)
+        y: Theme.snap(windowShadowPad, dpr)
         width: alignedWidth
         height: alignedHeight
         visible: !win._finalized
@@ -313,12 +352,13 @@ PanelWindow {
         readonly property bool swipeActive: swipeDragHandler.active
         property bool swipeDismissing: false
 
-        readonly property real radiusForShadow: Theme.cornerRadius
-        property real shadowBlurPx: SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled ? ((2 + radiusForShadow * 0.2) * (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 1.2 : 1)) : 0
-        property real shadowSpreadPx: SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled ? (radiusForShadow * (cardHoverHandler.hovered ? 0.06 : 0)) : 0
-        property real shadowBaseAlpha: 0.35
-        readonly property real popupSurfaceAlpha: SettingsData.popupTransparency
-        readonly property real effectiveShadowAlpha: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBaseAlpha * popupSurfaceAlpha))
+        readonly property bool shadowsAllowed: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled
+        readonly property var elevLevel: cardHoverHandler.hovered ? Theme.elevationLevel4 : Theme.elevationLevel3
+        readonly property real cardInset: Theme.snap(4, win.dpr)
+        readonly property real shadowRenderPadding: shadowsAllowed ? Theme.snap(Math.max(16, shadowBlurPx + Math.max(Math.abs(shadowOffsetX), Math.abs(shadowOffsetY)) + 8), win.dpr) : 0
+        property real shadowBlurPx: shadowsAllowed ? (elevLevel && elevLevel.blurPx !== undefined ? elevLevel.blurPx : 12) : 0
+        property real shadowOffsetX: shadowsAllowed ? Theme.elevationOffsetX(elevLevel) : 0
+        property real shadowOffsetY: shadowsAllowed ? Theme.elevationOffsetY(elevLevel, 6) : 0
 
         Behavior on shadowBlurPx {
             NumberAnimation {
@@ -327,50 +367,50 @@ PanelWindow {
             }
         }
 
-        Behavior on shadowSpreadPx {
+        Behavior on shadowOffsetX {
             NumberAnimation {
                 duration: Theme.shortDuration
                 easing.type: Theme.standardEasing
             }
         }
 
-        Item {
+        Behavior on shadowOffsetY {
+            NumberAnimation {
+                duration: Theme.shortDuration
+                easing.type: Theme.standardEasing
+            }
+        }
+
+        ElevationShadow {
             id: bgShadowLayer
             anchors.fill: parent
-            anchors.margins: Theme.snap(4, win.dpr)
-            layer.enabled: !win._isDestroying && win.screenValid
-            layer.smooth: false
+            anchors.margins: -content.shadowRenderPadding
+            level: content.elevLevel
+            fallbackOffset: 6
+            shadowBlurPx: content.shadowBlurPx
+            shadowOffsetX: content.shadowOffsetX
+            shadowOffsetY: content.shadowOffsetY
+            shadowColor: content.shadowsAllowed && content.elevLevel ? Theme.elevationShadowColor(content.elevLevel) : "transparent"
+            shadowEnabled: !win._isDestroying && win.screenValid && content.shadowsAllowed
             layer.textureSize: Qt.size(Math.round(width * win.dpr), Math.round(height * win.dpr))
             layer.textureMirroring: ShaderEffectSource.MirrorVertically
 
-            readonly property int blurMax: 64
-
-            layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                id: shadowFx
-                autoPaddingEnabled: true
-                shadowEnabled: SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled
-                blurEnabled: false
-                maskEnabled: false
-                shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, content.shadowBlurPx / bgShadowLayer.blurMax))
-                shadowScale: 1 + (2 * content.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(bgShadowLayer.width, bgShadowLayer.height))
-                shadowColor: {
-                    const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
-                    return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, content.effectiveShadowAlpha);
-                }
-            }
+            sourceRect.anchors.fill: undefined
+            sourceRect.x: content.shadowRenderPadding + content.cardInset
+            sourceRect.y: content.shadowRenderPadding + content.cardInset
+            sourceRect.width: Math.max(0, content.width - (content.cardInset * 2))
+            sourceRect.height: Math.max(0, content.height - (content.cardInset * 2))
+            sourceRect.radius: Theme.cornerRadius
+            sourceRect.color: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
+            sourceRect.border.color: notificationData && notificationData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical ? Theme.withAlpha(Theme.primary, 0.3) : Theme.withAlpha(Theme.outline, 0.08)
+            sourceRect.border.width: notificationData && notificationData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical ? 2 : 0
 
             Rectangle {
-                id: shadowShapeSource
-                anchors.fill: parent
-                radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-                color: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
-                border.color: notificationData && notificationData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical ? Theme.withAlpha(Theme.primary, 0.3) : Theme.withAlpha(Theme.outline, 0.08)
-                border.width: notificationData && notificationData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical ? 2 : 0
-            }
-
-            Rectangle {
-                anchors.fill: parent
-                radius: shadowShapeSource.radius
+                x: bgShadowLayer.sourceRect.x
+                y: bgShadowLayer.sourceRect.y
+                width: bgShadowLayer.sourceRect.width
+                height: bgShadowLayer.sourceRect.height
+                radius: bgShadowLayer.sourceRect.radius
                 visible: notificationData && notificationData.urgency === NotificationUrgency.Critical
                 opacity: 1
                 clip: true
@@ -399,7 +439,7 @@ PanelWindow {
         Item {
             id: backgroundContainer
             anchors.fill: parent
-            anchors.margins: Theme.snap(4, win.dpr)
+            anchors.margins: content.cardInset
             clip: true
 
             HoverHandler {

quickshell/Modules/Settings/AboutTab.qml

@@ -878,12 +878,17 @@ Item {
         x: hoveredButton ? hoveredButton.mapToItem(aboutTab, hoveredButton.width / 2, 0).x - width / 2 : 0
         y: hoveredButton ? communityIcons.mapToItem(aboutTab, 0, 0).y - height - 8 : 0
 
-        layer.enabled: true
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowOpacity: 0.15
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 2
-            shadowBlur: 0.5
+        ElevationShadow {
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel1
+            fallbackOffset: 1
+            targetRadius: communityTooltip.radius
+            targetColor: communityTooltip.color
+            borderColor: communityTooltip.border.color
+            borderWidth: communityTooltip.border.width
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha : 0.2
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         StyledText {

quickshell/Modules/Settings/DankBarTab.qml

@@ -52,9 +52,11 @@ Item {
     }
 
     function _isBarActive(c) {
-        if (!c.enabled) return false;
+        if (!c.enabled)
+            return false;
         const prefs = c.screenPreferences || ["all"];
-        if (prefs.length > 0) return true;
+        if (prefs.length > 0)
+            return true;
         return (c.showOnLastDisplay ?? true) && Quickshell.screens.length === 1;
     }
 
@@ -64,7 +66,8 @@ Item {
             return;
 
         const hasHorizontal = configs.some(c => {
-            if (!_isBarActive(c)) return false;
+            if (!_isBarActive(c))
+                return false;
             const p = c.position ?? SettingsData.Position.Top;
             return p === SettingsData.Position.Top || p === SettingsData.Position.Bottom;
         });
@@ -72,7 +75,8 @@ Item {
             return;
 
         const hasVertical = configs.some(c => {
-            if (!_isBarActive(c)) return false;
+            if (!_isBarActive(c))
+                return false;
             const p = c.position ?? SettingsData.Position.Top;
             return p === SettingsData.Position.Left || p === SettingsData.Position.Right;
         });
@@ -136,7 +140,9 @@ Item {
             scrollYBehavior: defaultBar.scrollYBehavior ?? "workspace",
             shadowIntensity: defaultBar.shadowIntensity ?? 0,
             shadowOpacity: defaultBar.shadowOpacity ?? 60,
-            shadowColorMode: defaultBar.shadowColorMode ?? "text",
+            shadowDirectionMode: defaultBar.shadowDirectionMode ?? "inherit",
+            shadowDirection: defaultBar.shadowDirection ?? "top",
+            shadowColorMode: defaultBar.shadowColorMode ?? "default",
             shadowCustomColor: defaultBar.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000"
         };
         SettingsData.addBarConfig(newBar);
@@ -1040,6 +1046,237 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
+            SettingsCard {
+                id: shadowCard
+                iconName: "layers"
+                title: I18n.tr("Shadow Override", "bar shadow settings card")
+                settingKey: "barShadow"
+                collapsible: true
+                expanded: true
+                visible: selectedBarConfig?.enabled
+
+                readonly property bool shadowActive: (selectedBarConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) > 0
+                readonly property bool isCustomColor: (selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode ?? "default") === "custom"
+                readonly property string directionSource: selectedBarConfig?.shadowDirectionMode ?? "inherit"
+
+                StyledText {
+                    width: parent.width
+                    text: I18n.tr("Enable a custom override below to set per-bar shadow intensity, opacity, and color.")
+                    font.pixelSize: Theme.fontSizeSmall
+                    color: Theme.surfaceVariantText
+                    wrapMode: Text.WordWrap
+                    horizontalAlignment: Text.AlignLeft
+                }
+
+                SettingsToggleRow {
+                    text: I18n.tr("Custom Shadow Override")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Override the global shadow with per-bar settings")
+                    checked: shadowCard.shadowActive
+                    onToggled: checked => {
+                        if (checked) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowIntensity: 12,
+                                shadowOpacity: 60
+                            });
+                        } else {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowIntensity: 0
+                            });
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                SettingsSliderRow {
+                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
+                    text: I18n.tr("Intensity", "shadow intensity slider")
+                    minimum: 0
+                    maximum: 100
+                    unit: "px"
+                    defaultValue: 12
+                    value: selectedBarConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0
+                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                            shadowIntensity: newValue
+                        })
+                }
+
+                SettingsSliderRow {
+                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
+                    text: I18n.tr("Opacity")
+                    minimum: 10
+                    maximum: 100
+                    unit: "%"
+                    defaultValue: 60
+                    value: selectedBarConfig?.shadowOpacity ?? 60
+                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                            shadowOpacity: newValue
+                        })
+                }
+
+                SettingsDropdownRow {
+                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
+                    text: I18n.tr("Direction Source", "bar shadow direction source")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Choose how this bar resolves shadow direction")
+                    settingKey: "barShadowDirectionSource"
+                    options: [I18n.tr("Inherit Global (Default)", "bar shadow direction source option"), I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "bar shadow direction source option"), I18n.tr("Manual", "bar shadow direction source option")]
+                    currentValue: {
+                        switch (shadowCard.directionSource) {
+                        case "autoBar":
+                            return I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "bar shadow direction source option");
+                        case "manual":
+                            return I18n.tr("Manual", "bar shadow direction source option");
+                        default:
+                            return I18n.tr("Inherit Global (Default)", "bar shadow direction source option");
+                        }
+                    }
+                    onValueChanged: value => {
+                        if (value === I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "bar shadow direction source option")) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirectionMode: "autoBar"
+                            });
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Manual", "bar shadow direction source option")) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirectionMode: "manual"
+                            });
+                        } else {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirectionMode: "inherit"
+                            });
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                SettingsDropdownRow {
+                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive && shadowCard.directionSource === "manual"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Manual Direction", "bar manual shadow direction")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Use a fixed shadow direction for this bar")
+                    settingKey: "barShadowDirectionManual"
+                    options: [I18n.tr("Top", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option")]
+                    currentValue: {
+                        switch (selectedBarConfig?.shadowDirection) {
+                        case "topLeft":
+                            return I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option");
+                        case "topRight":
+                            return I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option");
+                        case "bottom":
+                            return I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option");
+                        default:
+                            return I18n.tr("Top", "shadow direction option");
+                        }
+                    }
+                    onValueChanged: value => {
+                        if (value === I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirection: "topLeft"
+                            });
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirection: "topRight"
+                            });
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirection: "bottom"
+                            });
+                        } else {
+                            SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                shadowDirection: "top"
+                            });
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                Column {
+                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
+                    width: parent.width
+                    spacing: Theme.spacingS
+
+                    StyledText {
+                        text: I18n.tr("Color")
+                        font.pixelSize: Theme.fontSizeMedium
+                        color: Theme.surfaceText
+                        horizontalAlignment: Text.AlignLeft
+                        anchors.left: parent.left
+                        anchors.leftMargin: Theme.spacingM
+                    }
+
+                    Item {
+                        width: parent.width
+                        height: shadowColorGroup.implicitHeight
+
+                        DankButtonGroup {
+                            id: shadowColorGroup
+                            anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
+                            buttonPadding: parent.width < 420 ? Theme.spacingXS : Theme.spacingS
+                            minButtonWidth: parent.width < 420 ? 36 : 56
+                            textSize: parent.width < 420 ? Theme.fontSizeSmall : Theme.fontSizeMedium
+                            model: [I18n.tr("Default (Black)"), I18n.tr("Surface", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Primary"), I18n.tr("Secondary"), I18n.tr("Custom")]
+                            selectionMode: "single"
+                            currentIndex: {
+                                switch (selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode || "default") {
+                                case "surface":
+                                    return 1;
+                                case "primary":
+                                    return 2;
+                                case "secondary":
+                                    return 3;
+                                case "custom":
+                                    return 4;
+                                default:
+                                    return 0;
+                                }
+                            }
+                            onSelectionChanged: (index, selected) => {
+                                if (!selected)
+                                    return;
+                                let mode = "default";
+                                switch (index) {
+                                case 1:
+                                    mode = "surface";
+                                    break;
+                                case 2:
+                                    mode = "primary";
+                                    break;
+                                case 3:
+                                    mode = "secondary";
+                                    break;
+                                case 4:
+                                    mode = "custom";
+                                    break;
+                                }
+                                SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                    shadowColorMode: mode
+                                });
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+
+                    Rectangle {
+                        visible: selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode === "custom"
+                        width: 32
+                        height: 32
+                        radius: 16
+                        color: selectedBarConfig?.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000"
+                        border.color: Theme.outline
+                        border.width: 1
+                        anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
+
+                        MouseArea {
+                            anchors.fill: parent
+                            cursorShape: Qt.PointingHandCursor
+                            onClicked: {
+                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.selectedColor = selectedBarConfig?.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000";
+                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.pickerTitle = I18n.tr("Color");
+                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.onColorSelectedCallback = function (color) {
+                                    SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
+                                        shadowCustomColor: color.toString()
+                                    });
+                                };
+                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.show();
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
             SettingsCard {
                 iconName: "rounded_corner"
                 title: I18n.tr("Corners & Background")
@@ -1142,134 +1379,6 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
-            SettingsCard {
-                id: shadowCard
-                iconName: "layers"
-                title: I18n.tr("Shadow", "bar shadow settings card")
-                settingKey: "barShadow"
-                collapsible: true
-                expanded: false
-                visible: selectedBarConfig?.enabled
-
-                readonly property bool shadowActive: (selectedBarConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0) > 0
-                readonly property bool isCustomColor: (selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode ?? "text") === "custom"
-
-                SettingsSliderRow {
-                    text: I18n.tr("Intensity", "shadow intensity slider")
-                    minimum: 0
-                    maximum: 100
-                    unit: "%"
-                    value: selectedBarConfig?.shadowIntensity ?? 0
-                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
-                            shadowIntensity: newValue
-                        })
-                }
-
-                SettingsSliderRow {
-                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
-                    text: I18n.tr("Opacity")
-                    minimum: 10
-                    maximum: 100
-                    unit: "%"
-                    value: selectedBarConfig?.shadowOpacity ?? 60
-                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
-                            shadowOpacity: newValue
-                        })
-                }
-
-                Column {
-                    visible: shadowCard.shadowActive
-                    width: parent.width
-                    spacing: Theme.spacingS
-
-                    StyledText {
-                        text: I18n.tr("Color")
-                        font.pixelSize: Theme.fontSizeMedium
-                        color: Theme.surfaceText
-                        horizontalAlignment: Text.AlignLeft
-                        anchors.left: parent.left
-                        anchors.leftMargin: Theme.spacingM
-                    }
-
-                    Item {
-                        width: parent.width
-                        height: shadowColorGroup.implicitHeight
-
-                        DankButtonGroup {
-                            id: shadowColorGroup
-                            anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
-                            buttonPadding: parent.width < 420 ? Theme.spacingXS : Theme.spacingS
-                            minButtonWidth: parent.width < 420 ? 36 : 56
-                            textSize: parent.width < 420 ? Theme.fontSizeSmall : Theme.fontSizeMedium
-                            model: [I18n.tr("Text", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Surface", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Primary"), I18n.tr("Secondary"), I18n.tr("Custom")]
-                            selectionMode: "single"
-                            currentIndex: {
-                                switch (selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode || "text") {
-                                case "surface":
-                                    return 1;
-                                case "primary":
-                                    return 2;
-                                case "secondary":
-                                    return 3;
-                                case "custom":
-                                    return 4;
-                                default:
-                                    return 0;
-                                }
-                            }
-                            onSelectionChanged: (index, selected) => {
-                                if (!selected)
-                                    return;
-                                let mode = "text";
-                                switch (index) {
-                                case 1:
-                                    mode = "surface";
-                                    break;
-                                case 2:
-                                    mode = "primary";
-                                    break;
-                                case 3:
-                                    mode = "secondary";
-                                    break;
-                                case 4:
-                                    mode = "custom";
-                                    break;
-                                }
-                                SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
-                                    shadowColorMode: mode
-                                });
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-
-                    Rectangle {
-                        visible: selectedBarConfig?.shadowColorMode === "custom"
-                        width: 32
-                        height: 32
-                        radius: 16
-                        color: selectedBarConfig?.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000"
-                        border.color: Theme.outline
-                        border.width: 1
-                        anchors.horizontalCenter: parent.horizontalCenter
-
-                        MouseArea {
-                            anchors.fill: parent
-                            cursorShape: Qt.PointingHandCursor
-                            onClicked: {
-                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.selectedColor = selectedBarConfig?.shadowCustomColor ?? "#000000";
-                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.pickerTitle = I18n.tr("Color");
-                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.onColorSelectedCallback = function (color) {
-                                    SettingsData.updateBarConfig(selectedBarId, {
-                                        shadowCustomColor: color.toString()
-                                    });
-                                };
-                                PopoutService.colorPickerModal.show();
-                            }
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
             SettingsToggleCard {
                 iconName: "border_style"
                 title: I18n.tr("Border")

quickshell/Modules/Settings/NotificationsTab.qml

@@ -274,7 +274,7 @@ Item {
                     settingKey: "notificationPopupShadowEnabled"
                     tags: ["notification", "popup", "shadow", "radius", "rounded"]
                     text: I18n.tr("Popup Shadow")
-                    description: I18n.tr("Show drop shadow on notification popups")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Show drop shadow on notification popups. Requires M3 Elevation to be enabled in Theme & Colors.")
                     checked: SettingsData.notificationPopupShadowEnabled
                     onToggled: checked => SettingsData.set("notificationPopupShadowEnabled", checked)
                 }

quickshell/Modules/Settings/ThemeColorsTab.qml

@@ -126,6 +126,15 @@ Item {
         return Theme.warning;
     }
 
+    function openM3ShadowColorPicker() {
+        PopoutService.colorPickerModal.selectedColor = SettingsData.m3ElevationCustomColor ?? "#000000";
+        PopoutService.colorPickerModal.pickerTitle = I18n.tr("Shadow Color");
+        PopoutService.colorPickerModal.onColorSelectedCallback = function (color) {
+            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationCustomColor", color.toString());
+        };
+        PopoutService.colorPickerModal.show();
+    }
+
     function formatThemeAutoTime(isoString) {
         if (!isoString)
             return "";
@@ -1592,6 +1601,189 @@ Item {
                     defaultValue: 12
                     onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.setCornerRadius(newValue)
                 }
+
+                SettingsToggleRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "lift", "m3", "material"]
+                    settingKey: "m3ElevationEnabled"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Shadows")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Material inspired shadows and elevation on modals, popouts, and dialogs")
+                    checked: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onToggled: checked => SettingsData.set("m3ElevationEnabled", checked)
+                }
+
+                SettingsSliderRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "intensity", "blur", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "m3ElevationIntensity"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Shadow Intensity")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Controls the base blur radius and offset of shadows")
+                    value: SettingsData.m3ElevationIntensity ?? 12
+                    minimum: 0
+                    maximum: 100
+                    unit: "px"
+                    defaultValue: 12
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.set("m3ElevationIntensity", newValue)
+                }
+
+                SettingsSliderRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "opacity", "transparency", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "m3ElevationOpacity"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Shadow Opacity")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Controls the transparency of the shadow")
+                    value: SettingsData.m3ElevationOpacity ?? 30
+                    minimum: 0
+                    maximum: 100
+                    unit: "%"
+                    defaultValue: 30
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onSliderValueChanged: newValue => SettingsData.set("m3ElevationOpacity", newValue)
+                }
+
+                SettingsDropdownRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "color", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "m3ElevationColorMode"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Shadow Color")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Base color for shadows (opacity is applied automatically)")
+                    options: [I18n.tr("Default (Black)", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Text Color", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Primary", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Surface Variant", "shadow color option"), I18n.tr("Custom", "shadow color option")]
+                    currentValue: {
+                        switch (SettingsData.m3ElevationColorMode) {
+                        case "text":
+                            return I18n.tr("Text Color", "shadow color option");
+                        case "primary":
+                            return I18n.tr("Primary", "shadow color option");
+                        case "surfaceVariant":
+                            return I18n.tr("Surface Variant", "shadow color option");
+                        case "custom":
+                            return I18n.tr("Custom", "shadow color option");
+                        default:
+                            return I18n.tr("Default (Black)", "shadow color option");
+                        }
+                    }
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onValueChanged: value => {
+                        if (value === I18n.tr("Primary", "shadow color option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationColorMode", "primary");
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Surface Variant", "shadow color option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationColorMode", "surfaceVariant");
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Custom", "shadow color option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationColorMode", "custom");
+                            openM3ShadowColorPicker();
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Text Color", "shadow color option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationColorMode", "text");
+                        } else {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationColorMode", "default");
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                SettingsDropdownRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "direction", "light", "advanced", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "m3ElevationLightDirection"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Light Direction")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Controls shadow cast direction for elevation layers")
+                    options: [I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Top (Default)", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option"), I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option")]
+                    currentValue: {
+                        switch (SettingsData.m3ElevationLightDirection) {
+                        case "autoBar":
+                            return I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "shadow direction option");
+                        case "topLeft":
+                            return I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option");
+                        case "topRight":
+                            return I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option");
+                        case "bottom":
+                            return I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option");
+                        default:
+                            return I18n.tr("Top (Default)", "shadow direction option");
+                        }
+                    }
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onValueChanged: value => {
+                        if (value === I18n.tr("Auto (Bar-aware)", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationLightDirection", "autoBar");
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Top Left", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationLightDirection", "topLeft");
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Top Right", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationLightDirection", "topRight");
+                        } else if (value === I18n.tr("Bottom", "shadow direction option")) {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationLightDirection", "bottom");
+                        } else {
+                            SettingsData.set("m3ElevationLightDirection", "top");
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                Item {
+                    visible: (SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true) && SettingsData.m3ElevationColorMode === "custom"
+                    width: parent.width
+                    implicitHeight: 36
+                    height: implicitHeight
+
+                    Row {
+                        anchors.left: parent.left
+                        anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
+                        spacing: Theme.spacingM
+
+                        StyledText {
+                            text: I18n.tr("Custom Shadow Color")
+                            color: Theme.surfaceText
+                            font.pixelSize: Theme.fontSizeMedium
+                            verticalAlignment: Text.AlignVCenter
+                        }
+
+                        Rectangle {
+                            width: 26
+                            height: 26
+                            radius: 13
+                            color: SettingsData.m3ElevationCustomColor ?? "#000000"
+                            border.color: Theme.outline
+                            border.width: 1
+
+                            MouseArea {
+                                anchors.fill: parent
+                                cursorShape: Qt.PointingHandCursor
+                                onClicked: openM3ShadowColorPicker()
+                            }
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+
+                SettingsToggleRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "modal", "dialog", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "modalElevationEnabled"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Modal Shadows")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Shadow elevation on modals and dialogs")
+                    checked: SettingsData.modalElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onToggled: checked => SettingsData.set("modalElevationEnabled", checked)
+                }
+
+                SettingsToggleRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "popout", "popup", "osd", "dropdown", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "popoutElevationEnabled"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Popout Shadows")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Shadow elevation on popouts, OSDs, and dropdowns")
+                    checked: SettingsData.popoutElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onToggled: checked => SettingsData.set("popoutElevationEnabled", checked)
+                }
+
+                SettingsToggleRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["elevation", "shadow", "bar", "panel", "navigation", "m3"]
+                    settingKey: "barElevationEnabled"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Bar Shadows")
+                    description: I18n.tr("Shadow elevation on bars and panels")
+                    checked: SettingsData.barElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    visible: SettingsData.m3ElevationEnabled ?? true
+                    onToggled: checked => SettingsData.set("barElevationEnabled", checked)
+                }
             }
 
             SettingsCard {
@@ -2138,12 +2330,41 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
+            SettingsCard {
+                tab: "theme"
+                tags: ["icon", "theme", "system"]
+                title: I18n.tr("Icon Theme")
+                settingKey: "iconTheme"
+                iconName: "interests"
+
+                SettingsDropdownRow {
+                    tab: "theme"
+                    tags: ["icon", "theme", "system"]
+                    settingKey: "iconTheme"
+                    text: I18n.tr("Icon Theme")
+                    description: I18n.tr("DankShell & System Icons (requires restart)")
+                    currentValue: SettingsData.iconTheme
+                    enableFuzzySearch: true
+                    popupWidthOffset: 100
+                    maxPopupHeight: 236
+                    options: cachedIconThemes
+                    onValueChanged: value => {
+                        SettingsData.setIconTheme(value);
+                        if (Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME") != "gtk3" && Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME") != "qt6ct" && Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME_QT6") != "qt6ct") {
+                            ToastService.showError(I18n.tr("Missing Environment Variables", "qt theme env error title"), I18n.tr("You need to set either:\nQT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=gtk3 OR\nQT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=qt6ct\nas environment variables, and then restart the shell.\n\nqt6ct requires qt6ct-kde to be installed.", "qt theme env error body"));
+                        }
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
             SettingsCard {
                 tab: "theme"
                 tags: ["matugen", "templates", "theming"]
                 title: I18n.tr("Matugen Templates")
                 settingKey: "matugenTemplates"
                 iconName: "auto_awesome"
+                collapsible: true
+                expanded: false
                 visible: Theme.matugenAvailable
 
                 SettingsToggleRow {
@@ -2448,33 +2669,6 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
-            SettingsCard {
-                tab: "theme"
-                tags: ["icon", "theme", "system"]
-                title: I18n.tr("Icon Theme")
-                settingKey: "iconTheme"
-                iconName: "interests"
-
-                SettingsDropdownRow {
-                    tab: "theme"
-                    tags: ["icon", "theme", "system"]
-                    settingKey: "iconTheme"
-                    text: I18n.tr("Icon Theme")
-                    description: I18n.tr("DankShell & System Icons (requires restart)")
-                    currentValue: SettingsData.iconTheme
-                    enableFuzzySearch: true
-                    popupWidthOffset: 100
-                    maxPopupHeight: 236
-                    options: cachedIconThemes
-                    onValueChanged: value => {
-                        SettingsData.setIconTheme(value);
-                        if (Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME") != "gtk3" && Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME") != "qt6ct" && Quickshell.env("QT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME_QT6") != "qt6ct") {
-                            ToastService.showError(I18n.tr("Missing Environment Variables", "qt theme env error title"), I18n.tr("You need to set either:\nQT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=gtk3 OR\nQT_QPA_PLATFORMTHEME=qt6ct\nas environment variables, and then restart the shell.\n\nqt6ct requires qt6ct-kde to be installed.", "qt theme env error body"));
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
-            }
-
             SettingsCard {
                 tab: "theme"
                 tags: ["system", "app", "theming", "gtk", "qt"]

quickshell/Modules/Settings/TimeWeatherTab.qml

@@ -706,14 +706,15 @@ Item {
                                 anchors.left: parent.left
                                 anchors.verticalCenter: parent.verticalCenter
 
-                                layer.enabled: true
+                                layer.enabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
                                 layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                                    shadowEnabled: true
-                                    shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                                    shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-                                    shadowBlur: 0.8
-                                    shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.2)
-                                    shadowOpacity: 0.2
+                                    shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
+                                    shadowHorizontalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetX(Theme.elevationLevel1)
+                                    shadowVerticalOffset: Theme.elevationOffsetY(Theme.elevationLevel1, 1)
+                                    shadowBlur: Theme.elevationEnabled ? Math.max(0, Math.min(1, (Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.blurPx : 4) / Theme.elevationBlurMax)) : 0
+                                    blurMax: Theme.elevationBlurMax
+                                    shadowColor: Theme.elevationShadowColor(Theme.elevationLevel1)
+                                    shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel1 && Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel1.alpha : 0.2
                                 }
                             }
 

quickshell/Modules/Toast.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Wayland
 import qs.Common
@@ -96,7 +95,6 @@ PanelWindow {
             }
         }
         radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-        layer.enabled: true
         opacity: shouldBeVisible ? 1 : 0
 
         Column {
@@ -406,13 +404,15 @@ PanelWindow {
             onClicked: ToastService.hideToast()
         }
 
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-            shadowBlur: 0.8
-            shadowColor: Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)
-            shadowOpacity: 0.3
+        ElevationShadow {
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel3
+            fallbackOffset: 6
+            targetRadius: toast.radius
+            targetColor: toast.color
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel3 && Theme.elevationLevel3.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel3.alpha : 0.3
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         Behavior on opacity {

quickshell/Modules/WorkspaceOverlays/OverviewWidget.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import QtQuick.Layouts
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Hyprland
@@ -17,59 +16,61 @@ Item {
 
     readonly property var allWorkspaces: Hyprland.workspaces?.values || []
     readonly property var allWorkspaceIds: {
-        const workspaces = allWorkspaces
-        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0) return []
+        const workspaces = allWorkspaces;
+        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0)
+            return [];
         try {
-            const ids = workspaces.map(ws => ws?.id).filter(id => id !== null && id !== undefined)
-            return ids.sort((a, b) => a - b)
+            const ids = workspaces.map(ws => ws?.id).filter(id => id !== null && id !== undefined);
+            return ids.sort((a, b) => a - b);
         } catch (e) {
-            return []
+            return [];
         }
     }
 
     readonly property var thisMonitorWorkspaceIds: {
-        const workspaces = allWorkspaces
-        const mon = monitor
-        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0 || !mon) return []
+        const workspaces = allWorkspaces;
+        const mon = monitor;
+        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0 || !mon)
+            return [];
         try {
-            const filtered = workspaces.filter(ws => ws?.monitor?.name === mon.name)
-            return filtered.map(ws => ws?.id).filter(id => id !== null && id !== undefined).sort((a, b) => a - b)
+            const filtered = workspaces.filter(ws => ws?.monitor?.name === mon.name);
+            return filtered.map(ws => ws?.id).filter(id => id !== null && id !== undefined).sort((a, b) => a - b);
         } catch (e) {
-            return []
+            return [];
         }
     }
 
     readonly property var displayedWorkspaceIds: {
         if (!allWorkspaceIds || allWorkspaceIds.length === 0) {
-            const result = []
+            const result = [];
             for (let i = 1; i <= workspacesShown; i++) {
-                result.push(i)
+                result.push(i);
             }
-            return result
+            return result;
         }
 
         try {
-            const maxExisting = Math.max(...allWorkspaceIds)
-            const totalNeeded = Math.max(workspacesShown, allWorkspaceIds.length)
-            const result = []
+            const maxExisting = Math.max(...allWorkspaceIds);
+            const totalNeeded = Math.max(workspacesShown, allWorkspaceIds.length);
+            const result = [];
 
             for (let i = 1; i <= maxExisting; i++) {
-                result.push(i)
+                result.push(i);
             }
 
-            let nextId = maxExisting + 1
+            let nextId = maxExisting + 1;
             while (result.length < totalNeeded) {
-                result.push(nextId)
-                nextId++
+                result.push(nextId);
+                nextId++;
             }
 
-            return result
+            return result;
         } catch (e) {
-            const result = []
+            const result = [];
             for (let i = 1; i <= workspacesShown; i++) {
-                result.push(i)
+                result.push(i);
             }
-            return result
+            return result;
         }
     }
 
@@ -81,24 +82,27 @@ Item {
     readonly property int effectiveRows: Math.max(SettingsData.overviewRows, Math.ceil(displayWorkspaceCount / effectiveColumns))
 
     function getWorkspaceMonitorName(workspaceId) {
-        if (!allWorkspaces || !workspaceId) return ""
+        if (!allWorkspaces || !workspaceId)
+            return "";
         try {
-            const ws = allWorkspaces.find(w => w?.id === workspaceId)
-            return ws?.monitor?.name ?? ""
+            const ws = allWorkspaces.find(w => w?.id === workspaceId);
+            return ws?.monitor?.name ?? "";
         } catch (e) {
-            return ""
+            return "";
         }
     }
 
     function workspaceHasWindows(workspaceId) {
-        if (!workspaceId) return false
+        if (!workspaceId)
+            return false;
         try {
-            const workspace = allWorkspaces.find(ws => ws?.id === workspaceId)
-            if (!workspace) return false
-            const toplevels = workspace?.toplevels?.values || []
-            return toplevels.length > 0
+            const workspace = allWorkspaces.find(ws => ws?.id === workspaceId);
+            if (!workspace)
+                return false;
+            const toplevels = workspace?.toplevels?.values || [];
+            return toplevels.length > 0;
         } catch (e) {
-            return false
+            return false;
         }
     }
 
@@ -124,16 +128,16 @@ Item {
     implicitHeight: overviewBackground.implicitHeight + Theme.spacingL * 2
 
     Component.onCompleted: {
-        Hyprland.refreshToplevels()
-        Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces()
-        Hyprland.refreshMonitors()
+        Hyprland.refreshToplevels();
+        Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces();
+        Hyprland.refreshMonitors();
     }
 
     onOverviewOpenChanged: {
         if (overviewOpen) {
-            Hyprland.refreshToplevels()
-            Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces()
-            Hyprland.refreshMonitors()
+            Hyprland.refreshToplevels();
+            Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces();
+            Hyprland.refreshMonitors();
         }
     }
 
@@ -148,15 +152,15 @@ Item {
         radius: Theme.cornerRadius
         color: Theme.surfaceContainer
 
-        layer.enabled: true
-        layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-            shadowEnabled: true
-            shadowBlur: 0.5
-            shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-            shadowVerticalOffset: 4
-            shadowColor: Theme.shadowStrong
-            shadowOpacity: 1
-            blurMax: 32
+        ElevationShadow {
+            anchors.fill: parent
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+            fallbackOffset: 4
+            targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+            targetColor: Theme.surfaceContainer
+            shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha : 0.25
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
         }
 
         ColumnLayout {
@@ -217,8 +221,8 @@ Item {
                                 acceptedButtons: Qt.LeftButton
                                 onClicked: {
                                     if (root.draggingTargetWorkspace === -1) {
-                                        root.overviewOpen = false
-                                        Hyprland.dispatch(`workspace ${workspaceValue}`)
+                                        root.overviewOpen = false;
+                                        Hyprland.dispatch(`workspace ${workspaceValue}`);
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
@@ -226,13 +230,15 @@ Item {
                             DropArea {
                                 anchors.fill: parent
                                 onEntered: {
-                                    root.draggingTargetWorkspace = workspaceValue
-                                    if (root.draggingFromWorkspace == root.draggingTargetWorkspace) return
-                                    hoveredWhileDragging = true
+                                    root.draggingTargetWorkspace = workspaceValue;
+                                    if (root.draggingFromWorkspace == root.draggingTargetWorkspace)
+                                        return;
+                                    hoveredWhileDragging = true;
                                 }
                                 onExited: {
-                                    hoveredWhileDragging = false
-                                    if (root.draggingTargetWorkspace == workspaceValue) root.draggingTargetWorkspace = -1
+                                    hoveredWhileDragging = false;
+                                    if (root.draggingTargetWorkspace == workspaceValue)
+                                        root.draggingTargetWorkspace = -1;
                                 }
                             }
                         }
@@ -250,27 +256,28 @@ Item {
             Repeater {
                 model: ScriptModel {
                     values: {
-                        const workspaces = root.allWorkspaces
-                        const minId = root.minWorkspaceId
-                        const maxId = root.maxWorkspaceId
+                        const workspaces = root.allWorkspaces;
+                        const minId = root.minWorkspaceId;
+                        const maxId = root.maxWorkspaceId;
 
-                        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0) return []
+                        if (!workspaces || workspaces.length === 0)
+                            return [];
 
                         try {
-                            const result = []
+                            const result = [];
                             for (const workspace of workspaces) {
-                                const wsId = workspace?.id ?? -1
+                                const wsId = workspace?.id ?? -1;
                                 if (wsId >= minId && wsId <= maxId) {
-                                    const toplevels = workspace?.toplevels?.values || []
+                                    const toplevels = workspace?.toplevels?.values || [];
                                     for (const toplevel of toplevels) {
-                                        result.push(toplevel)
+                                        result.push(toplevel);
                                     }
                                 }
                             }
-                            return result
+                            return result;
                         } catch (e) {
-                            console.error("OverviewWidget filter error:", e)
-                            return []
+                            console.error("OverviewWidget filter error:", e);
+                            return [];
                         }
                     }
                 }
@@ -282,17 +289,19 @@ Item {
                     readonly property int windowWorkspaceId: modelData?.workspace?.id ?? -1
 
                     function getWorkspaceIndex() {
-                        if (!root.displayedWorkspaceIds || root.displayedWorkspaceIds.length === 0) return 0
-                        if (!windowWorkspaceId || windowWorkspaceId < 0) return 0
+                        if (!root.displayedWorkspaceIds || root.displayedWorkspaceIds.length === 0)
+                            return 0;
+                        if (!windowWorkspaceId || windowWorkspaceId < 0)
+                            return 0;
                         try {
                             for (let i = 0; i < root.displayedWorkspaceIds.length; i++) {
                                 if (root.displayedWorkspaceIds[i] === windowWorkspaceId) {
-                                    return i
+                                    return i;
                                 }
                             }
-                            return 0
+                            return 0;
                         } catch (e) {
-                            return 0
+                            return 0;
                         }
                     }
 
@@ -325,48 +334,48 @@ Item {
                         acceptedButtons: Qt.LeftButton | Qt.MiddleButton
                         drag.target: parent
 
-                        onPressed: (mouse) => {
-                            root.draggingFromWorkspace = windowData?.workspace.id
-                            window.pressed = true
-                            window.Drag.active = true
-                            window.Drag.source = window
-                            window.Drag.hotSpot.x = mouse.x
-                            window.Drag.hotSpot.y = mouse.y
+                        onPressed: mouse => {
+                            root.draggingFromWorkspace = windowData?.workspace.id;
+                            window.pressed = true;
+                            window.Drag.active = true;
+                            window.Drag.source = window;
+                            window.Drag.hotSpot.x = mouse.x;
+                            window.Drag.hotSpot.y = mouse.y;
                         }
 
                         onReleased: {
-                            const targetWorkspace = root.draggingTargetWorkspace
-                            window.pressed = false
-                            window.Drag.active = false
-                            root.draggingFromWorkspace = -1
-                            root.draggingTargetWorkspace = -1
+                            const targetWorkspace = root.draggingTargetWorkspace;
+                            window.pressed = false;
+                            window.Drag.active = false;
+                            root.draggingFromWorkspace = -1;
+                            root.draggingTargetWorkspace = -1;
 
                             if (targetWorkspace !== -1 && targetWorkspace !== windowData?.workspace.id) {
-                                Hyprland.dispatch(`movetoworkspacesilent ${targetWorkspace},address:${windowData?.address}`)
+                                Hyprland.dispatch(`movetoworkspacesilent ${targetWorkspace},address:${windowData?.address}`);
                                 Qt.callLater(() => {
-                                    Hyprland.refreshToplevels()
-                                    Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces()
+                                    Hyprland.refreshToplevels();
+                                    Hyprland.refreshWorkspaces();
                                     Qt.callLater(() => {
-                                        window.x = window.initX
-                                        window.y = window.initY
-                                    })
-                                })
+                                        window.x = window.initX;
+                                        window.y = window.initY;
+                                    });
+                                });
                             } else {
-                                window.x = window.initX
-                                window.y = window.initY
+                                window.x = window.initX;
+                                window.y = window.initY;
                             }
                         }
 
-                        onClicked: (event) => {
-                            if (!windowData || !windowData.address) return
-
+                        onClicked: event => {
+                            if (!windowData || !windowData.address)
+                                return;
                             if (event.button === Qt.LeftButton) {
-                                root.overviewOpen = false
-                                Hyprland.dispatch(`focuswindow address:${windowData.address}`)
-                                event.accepted = true
+                                root.overviewOpen = false;
+                                Hyprland.dispatch(`focuswindow address:${windowData.address}`);
+                                event.accepted = true;
                             } else if (event.button === Qt.MiddleButton) {
-                                Hyprland.dispatch(`closewindow address:${windowData.address}`)
-                                event.accepted = true
+                                Hyprland.dispatch(`closewindow address:${windowData.address}`);
+                                event.accepted = true;
                             }
                         }
                     }

quickshell/Widgets/AppIconRenderer.qml

@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ Item {
         sourceComponent: IconImage {
             anchors.fill: parent
             source: root.iconPath
-            backer.sourceSize: Qt.size(root.iconSize, root.iconSize)
+            backer.sourceSize: Qt.size(root.iconSize * 2, root.iconSize * 2)
             mipmap: true
             asynchronous: true
             visible: status === Image.Ready

quickshell/Widgets/DankCircularImage.qml

@@ -81,6 +81,8 @@ Rectangle {
         mipmap: true
         cache: true
         visible: false
+        sourceSize.width: Math.max(width * 2, 128)
+        sourceSize.height: Math.max(height * 2, 128)
         source: !root.shouldProbe ? root.imageSource : ""
     }
 

quickshell/Widgets/DankDropdown.qml

@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import "../Common/fzf.js" as Fzf
 import QtQuick
 import QtQuick.Controls
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import qs.Common
 import qs.Widgets
@@ -254,6 +253,8 @@ Item {
         }
 
         contentItem: Rectangle {
+            id: contentSurface
+
             LayoutMirroring.enabled: I18n.isRtl
             LayoutMirroring.childrenInherit: true
             color: Qt.rgba(Theme.surfaceContainer.r, Theme.surfaceContainer.g, Theme.surfaceContainer.b, 1)
@@ -261,12 +262,17 @@ Item {
             border.width: 2
             radius: Theme.cornerRadius
 
-            layer.enabled: true
-            layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                shadowEnabled: true
-                shadowBlur: 0.4
-                shadowColor: Theme.shadowStrong
-                shadowVerticalOffset: 4
+            ElevationShadow {
+                id: shadowLayer
+                anchors.fill: parent
+                z: -1
+                level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+                fallbackOffset: 4
+                targetRadius: contentSurface.radius
+                targetColor: contentSurface.color
+                borderColor: contentSurface.border.color
+                borderWidth: contentSurface.border.width
+                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.popoutElevationEnabled
             }
 
             Column {

quickshell/Widgets/DankIconPicker.qml

@@ -1,6 +1,5 @@
 import QtQuick
 import QtQuick.Controls
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import qs.Common
 import qs.Widgets
 
@@ -132,16 +131,20 @@ Rectangle {
         }
 
         contentItem: Rectangle {
+            id: contentSurface
             color: Theme.surface
             radius: Theme.cornerRadius
 
-            layer.enabled: true
-            layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                shadowEnabled: true
-                shadowColor: Theme.shadowStrong
-                shadowBlur: 0.8
-                shadowHorizontalOffset: 0
-                shadowVerticalOffset: 4
+            ElevationShadow {
+                id: shadowLayer
+                anchors.fill: parent
+                z: -1
+                level: Theme.elevationLevel2
+                fallbackOffset: 4
+                targetRadius: contentSurface.radius
+                targetColor: contentSurface.color
+                shadowOpacity: Theme.elevationLevel2 && Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha !== undefined ? Theme.elevationLevel2.alpha : 0.25
+                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled
             }
 
             Rectangle {

quickshell/Widgets/DankOSD.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Wayland
 import qs.Common
@@ -257,11 +256,7 @@ PanelWindow {
         scale: shouldBeVisible ? 1 : 0.9
 
         property bool childHovered: false
-        property real shadowBlurPx: 10
-        property real shadowSpreadPx: 0
-        property real shadowBaseAlpha: 0.60
         readonly property real popupSurfaceAlpha: SettingsData.popupTransparency
-        readonly property real effectiveShadowAlpha: shouldBeVisible ? Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBaseAlpha * popupSurfaceAlpha)) : 0
 
         Rectangle {
             id: background
@@ -273,38 +268,20 @@ PanelWindow {
             z: -1
         }
 
-        Item {
+        ElevationShadow {
             id: bgShadowLayer
             anchors.fill: parent
             visible: osdContainer.popupSurfaceAlpha >= 0.95
-            layer.enabled: Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
-            layer.smooth: false
+            z: -1
+            level: Theme.elevationLevel3
+            fallbackOffset: 6
+            targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+            targetColor: Theme.surfaceContainer
+            borderColor: Theme.outlineMedium
+            borderWidth: 1
+            shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.popoutElevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1"
             layer.textureSize: Qt.size(Math.round(width * root.dpr), Math.round(height * root.dpr))
             layer.textureMirroring: ShaderEffectSource.MirrorVertically
-
-            readonly property int blurMax: 64
-
-            layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                id: shadowFx
-                autoPaddingEnabled: true
-                shadowEnabled: true
-                blurEnabled: false
-                maskEnabled: false
-                shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, osdContainer.shadowBlurPx / bgShadowLayer.blurMax))
-                shadowScale: 1 + (2 * osdContainer.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(bgShadowLayer.width, bgShadowLayer.height))
-                shadowColor: {
-                    const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
-                    return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, osdContainer.effectiveShadowAlpha);
-                }
-            }
-
-            Rectangle {
-                anchors.fill: parent
-                radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-                color: Theme.surfaceContainer
-                border.color: Theme.outlineMedium
-                border.width: 1
-            }
         }
 
         MouseArea {

quickshell/Widgets/DankPopout.qml

@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import QtQuick
-import QtQuick.Effects
 import Quickshell
 import Quickshell.Wayland
 import qs.Common
@@ -31,6 +30,7 @@ Item {
     property bool backgroundInteractive: true
     property bool contentHandlesKeys: false
     property bool fullHeightSurface: false
+    property bool _primeContent: false
     property bool _resizeActive: false
     property real _surfaceMarginLeft: 0
     property real _surfaceW: 0
@@ -77,6 +77,38 @@ Item {
 
     property int effectiveBarPosition: 0
     property real effectiveBarBottomGap: 0
+    readonly property string autoBarShadowDirection: {
+        const section = triggerSection || "center";
+        switch (effectiveBarPosition) {
+        case SettingsData.Position.Top:
+            if (section === "left")
+                return "topLeft";
+            if (section === "right")
+                return "topRight";
+            return "top";
+        case SettingsData.Position.Bottom:
+            if (section === "left")
+                return "bottomLeft";
+            if (section === "right")
+                return "bottomRight";
+            return "bottom";
+        case SettingsData.Position.Left:
+            if (section === "left")
+                return "topLeft";
+            if (section === "right")
+                return "bottomLeft";
+            return "left";
+        case SettingsData.Position.Right:
+            if (section === "left")
+                return "topRight";
+            if (section === "right")
+                return "bottomRight";
+            return "right";
+        default:
+            return "top";
+        }
+    }
+    readonly property string effectiveShadowDirection: Theme.elevationLightDirection === "autoBar" ? autoBarShadowDirection : Theme.elevationLightDirection
 
     // Snapshot mask geometry to prevent background damage on bar updates
     property real _frozenMaskX: 0
@@ -89,6 +121,14 @@ Item {
         effectiveBarBottomGap = bottomGap !== undefined ? bottomGap : 0;
     }
 
+    function primeContent() {
+        _primeContent = true;
+    }
+
+    function clearPrimedContent() {
+        _primeContent = false;
+    }
+
     function setTriggerPosition(x, y, width, section, targetScreen, barPosition, barThickness, barSpacing, barConfig) {
         triggerX = x;
         triggerY = y;
@@ -152,6 +192,7 @@ Item {
 
     function close() {
         shouldBeVisible = false;
+        _primeContent = false;
         PopoutManager.popoutChanged();
         closeTimer.restart();
     }
@@ -197,7 +238,11 @@ Item {
     readonly property real screenHeight: screen ? screen.height : 0
     readonly property real dpr: screen ? screen.devicePixelRatio : 1
 
-    readonly property real shadowBuffer: 5
+    readonly property var shadowLevel: Theme.elevationLevel3
+    readonly property real shadowFallbackOffset: 6
+    readonly property real shadowRenderPadding: (Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.popoutElevationEnabled) ? Theme.elevationRenderPadding(shadowLevel, effectiveShadowDirection, shadowFallbackOffset, 8, 16) : 0
+    readonly property real shadowMotionPadding: Math.max(0, animationOffset)
+    readonly property real shadowBuffer: Theme.snap(shadowRenderPadding + shadowMotionPadding, dpr)
     readonly property real alignedWidth: Theme.px(popupWidth, dpr)
     readonly property real alignedHeight: Theme.px(popupHeight, dpr)
 
@@ -257,29 +302,30 @@ Item {
             }
         })(), dpr)
 
+    readonly property real triggeringBarLeftExclusion: (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Left && barWidth > 0) ? Math.max(0, barX + barWidth) : 0
+    readonly property real triggeringBarTopExclusion: (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Top && barHeight > 0) ? Math.max(0, barY + barHeight) : 0
+    readonly property real triggeringBarRightExclusion: (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Right && barWidth > 0) ? Math.max(0, screenWidth - barX) : 0
+    readonly property real triggeringBarBottomExclusion: (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Bottom && barHeight > 0) ? Math.max(0, screenHeight - barY) : 0
+
     readonly property real maskX: {
-        const triggeringBarX = (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Left && barWidth > 0) ? barWidth : 0;
         const adjacentLeftBar = adjacentBarInfo?.leftBar ?? 0;
-        return Math.max(triggeringBarX, adjacentLeftBar);
+        return Math.max(triggeringBarLeftExclusion, adjacentLeftBar);
     }
 
     readonly property real maskY: {
-        const triggeringBarY = (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Top && barHeight > 0) ? barHeight : 0;
         const adjacentTopBar = adjacentBarInfo?.topBar ?? 0;
-        return Math.max(triggeringBarY, adjacentTopBar);
+        return Math.max(triggeringBarTopExclusion, adjacentTopBar);
     }
 
     readonly property real maskWidth: {
-        const triggeringBarRight = (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Right && barWidth > 0) ? barWidth : 0;
         const adjacentRightBar = adjacentBarInfo?.rightBar ?? 0;
-        const rightExclusion = Math.max(triggeringBarRight, adjacentRightBar);
+        const rightExclusion = Math.max(triggeringBarRightExclusion, adjacentRightBar);
         return Math.max(100, screenWidth - maskX - rightExclusion);
     }
 
     readonly property real maskHeight: {
-        const triggeringBarBottom = (effectiveBarPosition === SettingsData.Position.Bottom && barHeight > 0) ? barHeight : 0;
         const adjacentBottomBar = adjacentBarInfo?.bottomBar ?? 0;
-        const bottomExclusion = Math.max(triggeringBarBottom, adjacentBottomBar);
+        const bottomExclusion = Math.max(triggeringBarBottomExclusion, adjacentBottomBar);
         return Math.max(100, screenHeight - maskY - bottomExclusion);
     }
 
@@ -395,7 +441,7 @@ Item {
         implicitWidth: useBackgroundWindow ? root._surfaceW : 0
         implicitHeight: (useBackgroundWindow && !_fullHeight) ? (root.alignedHeight + shadowBuffer * 2) : 0
 
-        mask: (useBackgroundWindow && _fullHeight) ? contentInputMask : null
+        mask: useBackgroundWindow ? contentInputMask : null
 
         Region {
             id: contentInputMask
@@ -405,10 +451,10 @@ Item {
         Item {
             id: contentMaskRect
             visible: false
-            x: contentContainer.x - root.shadowBuffer
-            y: contentContainer.y - root.shadowBuffer
-            width: root.alignedWidth + root.shadowBuffer * 2
-            height: root.alignedHeight + root.shadowBuffer * 2
+            x: contentContainer.x
+            y: contentContainer.y
+            width: root.alignedWidth
+            height: root.alignedHeight
         }
 
         MouseArea {
@@ -480,42 +526,20 @@ Item {
                 }
             }
 
-            Rectangle {
+            ElevationShadow {
                 id: shadowSource
-                anchors.centerIn: parent
                 width: parent.width
                 height: parent.height
-                radius: Theme.cornerRadius
-                color: "black"
-                visible: false
                 opacity: contentWrapper.opacity
                 scale: contentWrapper.scale
                 x: contentWrapper.x
                 y: contentWrapper.y
-
-                property real shadowBlurPx: 10
-                property real shadowSpreadPx: 0
-                property real shadowBaseAlpha: 0.60
-                readonly property real popupSurfaceAlpha: SettingsData.popupTransparency
-                readonly property real effectiveShadowAlpha: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowBaseAlpha * popupSurfaceAlpha))
-                readonly property int blurMax: 64
-
-                layer.enabled: Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1" && !(root.suspendShadowWhileResizing && root._resizeActive)
-                layer.smooth: false
-
-                layer.effect: MultiEffect {
-                    id: shadowFx
-                    autoPaddingEnabled: true
-                    shadowEnabled: true
-                    blurEnabled: false
-                    maskEnabled: false
-                    shadowBlur: Math.max(0, Math.min(1, shadowSource.shadowBlurPx / shadowSource.blurMax))
-                    shadowScale: 1 + (2 * shadowSource.shadowSpreadPx) / Math.max(1, Math.min(shadowSource.width, shadowSource.height))
-                    shadowColor: {
-                        const baseColor = Theme.isLightMode ? Qt.rgba(0, 0, 0, 1) : Theme.surfaceContainerHighest;
-                        return Theme.withAlpha(baseColor, shadowSource.effectiveShadowAlpha);
-                    }
-                }
+                level: root.shadowLevel
+                direction: root.effectiveShadowDirection
+                fallbackOffset: root.shadowFallbackOffset
+                targetRadius: Theme.cornerRadius
+                targetColor: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
+                shadowEnabled: Theme.elevationEnabled && SettingsData.popoutElevationEnabled && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "true" && Quickshell.env("DMS_DISABLE_LAYER") !== "1" && !(root.suspendShadowWhileResizing && root._resizeActive)
             }
 
             Item {
@@ -546,13 +570,13 @@ Item {
                     radius: Theme.cornerRadius
                     color: Theme.withAlpha(Theme.surfaceContainer, Theme.popupTransparency)
                     border.color: Theme.outlineMedium
-                    border.width: 1
+                    border.width: 0
                 }
 
                 Loader {
                     id: contentLoader
                     anchors.fill: parent
-                    active: shouldBeVisible || contentWindow.visible
+                    active: root._primeContent || shouldBeVisible || contentWindow.visible
                     asynchronous: false
                 }
             }

quickshell/matugen/templates/firefox-userchrome.css

@@ -53,8 +53,11 @@
     --m3-radius: 12px;
     --m3-radius-sm: 10px;
     --m3-elev-0: none;
-    --m3-elev-1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.08), 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.06);
-    --m3-elev-2: 0 2px 6px rgba(0,0,0,.10), 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.06);
+    --m3-elev-1: 0 1px 2px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 8%, transparent), 0 1px 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 6%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-2: 0 2px 6px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 10%, transparent), 0 1px 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 6%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-3: 0 11px 7px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 19%, transparent), 0 13px 25px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 30%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-4: 0 14px 12px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 17%, transparent), 0 20px 40px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 30%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-5: 0 17px 17px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 15%, transparent), 0 27px 55px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 30%, transparent);
 
     --tab-height: 34px;
     --urlbar-height: 38px;
@@ -118,8 +121,11 @@
     --md-sys-color-surface-container-high: {{colors.surface_container_high.dark.hex}};
     --md-sys-color-surface-container-highest: {{colors.surface_container_highest.dark.hex}};
 
-    --m3-elev-1: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,.50), 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.35);
-    --m3-elev-2: 0 4px 10px rgba(0,0,0,.55), 0 1px 3px rgba(0,0,0,.35);
+    --m3-elev-1: 0 1px 2px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 50%, transparent), 0 1px 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 35%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-2: 0 4px 10px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 55%, transparent), 0 1px 3px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 35%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-3: 0 11px 7px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 45%, transparent), 0 13px 25px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 55%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-4: 0 14px 12px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 42%, transparent), 0 20px 40px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 55%, transparent);
+    --m3-elev-5: 0 17px 17px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 40%, transparent), 0 27px 55px color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-shadow) 55%, transparent);
 
     --state-hover: color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-on-surface) 6%, transparent);
     --state-press: color-mix(in srgb, var(--md-sys-color-on-surface) 10%, transparent);

quickshell/translations/settings_search_index.json

@@ -2416,6 +2416,74 @@
     ],
     "description": "0 = square corners"
   },
+  {
+    "section": "m3ElevationEnabled",
+    "label": "M3 Elevation & Shadows",
+    "tabIndex": 10,
+    "category": "Theme & Colors",
+    "keywords": [
+      "appearance",
+      "elevation",
+      "lift",
+      "material",
+      "m3",
+      "shadow",
+      "shadows",
+      "theme"
+    ],
+    "description": "Material Design 3 shadows and elevation on modals, popouts, and dialogs"
+  },
+  {
+    "section": "modalElevationEnabled",
+    "label": "Modal Shadows",
+    "tabIndex": 10,
+    "category": "Theme & Colors",
+    "keywords": [
+      "dialog",
+      "elevation",
+      "m3",
+      "material",
+      "modal",
+      "shadow",
+      "shadows"
+    ],
+    "description": "Shadow elevation on modals and dialogs"
+  },
+  {
+    "section": "popoutElevationEnabled",
+    "label": "Popout Shadows",
+    "tabIndex": 10,
+    "category": "Theme & Colors",
+    "keywords": [
+      "dropdown",
+      "elevation",
+      "m3",
+      "material",
+      "osd",
+      "popout",
+      "popup",
+      "shadow",
+      "shadows"
+    ],
+    "description": "Shadow elevation on popouts, OSDs, and dropdowns"
+  },
+  {
+    "section": "barElevationEnabled",
+    "label": "Bar Shadows",
+    "tabIndex": 10,
+    "category": "Theme & Colors",
+    "keywords": [
+      "bar",
+      "elevation",
+      "m3",
+      "material",
+      "navigation",
+      "panel",
+      "shadow",
+      "shadows"
+    ],
+    "description": "Shadow elevation on bars and panels"
+  },
   {
     "section": "cursorSize",
     "label": "Cursor Size",