diff --git a/metadata/core.xml b/metadata/core.xml
index ffda987..7b780ca 100644
--- a/metadata/core.xml
+++ b/metadata/core.xml
@@ -11,7 +11,12 @@
 		</option>
 		<option name="stitch_outputs" type="string">
 			<_short>Combined output members</_short>
-			<_long>Space-separated connector names, in left-to-right order. The combined output is named STITCH-1.</_long>
+			<_long>Space-separated connector names, in left-to-right order. The combined output is named VIRTUAL-1.</_long>
+			<default></default>
+		</option>
+		<option name="default_output" type="string">
+			<_short>Default output for new windows</_short>
+			<_long>Desktop output name used for new native windows, for example VIRTUAL-1. Empty or unavailable uses the active output. Dialogs follow their parent; window rules and explicit later moves can override placement.</_long>
 			<default></default>
 		</option>
 		<option name="plugins" type="string">
diff --git a/metadata/grid.xml b/metadata/grid.xml
index a03849a..72dc576 100644
--- a/metadata/grid.xml
+++ b/metadata/grid.xml
@@ -14,6 +14,12 @@
 			<_long>On combined outputs, hold Shift while maximizing or dragging to fill a physical monitor zone. Dragging shows a preview.</_long>
 			<default>true</default>
 		</option>
+		<option name="zone_gap" type="int">
+			<_short>Monitor-zone outer gap</_short>
+			<_long>Inset each physical monitor zone by this many logical pixels after panel reservations. Applies to zone maximize and drag previews; ordinary maximize and fullscreen keep their full size.</_long>
+			<default>0</default>
+			<min>0</min>
+		</option>
 		<option name="duration" type="animation">
 			<_short>Duration</_short>
 			<_long>Sets the duration of the animation in milliseconds.</_long>
diff --git a/metadata/output.xml b/metadata/output.xml
index 663b702..9b24ecd 100644
--- a/metadata/output.xml
+++ b/metadata/output.xml
@@ -8,6 +8,11 @@
     <option name="position" type="output::position">
       <default>auto</default>
     </option>
+    <option name="masked" type="bool">
+      <_short>Hide from desktop, keep signal active</_short>
+      <_long>Keep this physical output enabled with a black image, but exclude it from application display lists, window placement and desktop power management. Useful for HDMI audio. Explicit output power commands and mode=off can still turn it off. Masked outputs cannot be combined desktop members.</_long>
+      <default>false</default>
+    </option>
     <option name="scale" type="double">
       <default>1.0</default>
       <min>0.1</min>
diff --git a/plugins/grid/grid.cpp b/plugins/grid/grid.cpp
index 5e30063..1a474ec 100644
--- a/plugins/grid/grid.cpp
+++ b/plugins/grid/grid.cpp
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ class wayfire_grid : public wf::plugin_interface_t, public wf::per_output_tracke
     wf::ipc_activator_t restore{"grid/restore"};
     wf::ipc_activator_t zone_maximize{"grid/zone_maximize"};
     wf::option_wrapper_t<bool> zone_shift{"grid/zone_shift"};
+    wf::option_wrapper_t<int> zone_gap{"grid/zone_gap"};
     wf::option_wrapper_t<int> snap_threshold{"move/snap_threshold"};
     wf::option_wrapper_t<int> quarter_snap_threshold{"move/quarter_snap_threshold"};
     struct
@@ -114,6 +115,17 @@ class wayfire_grid : public wf::plugin_interface_t, public wf::per_output_tracke
                     zone.geometry = wf::geometry_intersection(zone.geometry, output->workarea->get_workarea());
                     if ((zone.geometry.width > 0) && (zone.geometry.height > 0))
                     {
+                        // Inset each physical region, including the internal seams.
+                        // Clamp independently so even a small region stays usable.
+                        auto& g = zone.geometry;
+                        double gx = std::clamp<double>(zone_gap, 0,
+                            std::max(0.0, std::floor((g.width - 1) / 2)));
+                        double gy = std::clamp<double>(zone_gap, 0,
+                            std::max(0.0, std::floor((g.height - 1) / 2)));
+                        g.x += gx;
+                        g.y += gy;
+                        g.width -= 2 * gx;
+                        g.height -= 2 * gy;
                         return zone;
                     }
                 }
@@ -238,6 +250,7 @@ class wayfire_grid : public wf::plugin_interface_t, public wf::per_output_tracke
     void init() override
     {
         init_output_tracking();
+        zone_gap.set_callback([this] () { reflow_zones(); });
         restore.set_handler(handle_restore);
         zone_maximize.set_handler([=] (wf::output_t *wo, wayfire_view view)
         {
@@ -419,8 +432,7 @@ class wayfire_grid : public wf::plugin_interface_t, public wf::per_output_tracke
         return false;
     }
 
-    wf::signal::connection_t<wf::output_layout_configuration_changed_signal> on_layout_changed =
-        [this] (auto)
+    void reflow_zones()
     {
         // Member order can change without changing the combined workarea.
         for (auto output : wf::get_core().output_layout->get_outputs())
@@ -430,6 +442,20 @@ class wayfire_grid : public wf::plugin_interface_t, public wf::per_output_tracke
                 reflow_zone(view);
             }
         }
+
+        if (slot.preview && !slot.zone.empty())
+        {
+            if (auto zone = find_zone(slot.preview->get_output(), slot.zone))
+            {
+                slot.preview->set_target_geometry(zone->geometry, 1);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
+    wf::signal::connection_t<wf::output_layout_configuration_changed_signal> on_layout_changed =
+        [this] (auto)
+    {
+        reflow_zones();
     };
 
     wf::signal::connection_t<wf::workarea_changed_signal> on_workarea_changed =
diff --git a/src/api/wayfire/output-layout.hpp b/src/api/wayfire/output-layout.hpp
index ddc11cd..d40ff3c 100644
--- a/src/api/wayfire/output-layout.hpp
+++ b/src/api/wayfire/output-layout.hpp
@@ -106,6 +106,10 @@ enum output_image_source_t
     OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_DPMS    = 0x3,
     /** Output is in mirroring state */
     OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR  = 0x4,
+    /** Active black scanout, excluded from the desktop (for example HDMI audio). */
+    OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED  = 0x8,
+    /** Masked output explicitly put into DPMS; remains excluded from the desktop. */
+    OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED_DPMS = 0xa,
 };
 
 /** Represents the current state of an output as the output layout sees it */
diff --git a/src/core/output-layout.cpp b/src/core/output-layout.cpp
index 6d88d6a..41c5d10 100644
--- a/src/core/output-layout.cpp
+++ b/src/core/output-layout.cpp
@@ -154,6 +154,12 @@ std::string_view wf::layout_detail::get_output_source_name(output_image_source_t
 
       case OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR:
         return "mirror";
+
+      case OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED:
+        return "masked";
+
+      case OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED_DPMS:
+        return "masked-dpms";
     }
 
     return "unknown";
@@ -486,7 +492,7 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
     std::map<int, std::vector<uint32_t>> formats_for_depth;
     int current_bit_depth = 0;
     std::optional<bool> current_hdr_enabled;
-    // A source rectangle turns a mirror into one physical slice of STITCH-1.
+    // A source rectangle turns a mirror into one physical slice of VIRTUAL-1.
     std::optional<wlr_box> stitch_source_box;
     std::optional<output_state_t> stitch_restore_state;
     std::vector<wf::output_stitch_zone_t> stitch_zones;
@@ -503,6 +509,7 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
     wf::option_wrapper_t<bool> vrr_opt;
     wf::option_wrapper_t<bool> hdr_opt;
     wf::option_wrapper_t<int> depth_opt;
+    wf::option_wrapper_t<bool> masked_opt;
 
     wf::option_wrapper_t<bool> use_ext_config{
         "workarounds/use_external_output_configuration"};
@@ -517,6 +524,7 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
         vrr_opt.load_option(config_section, "vrr");
         hdr_opt.load_option(config_section, "hdr");
         depth_opt.load_option(config_section, "depth");
+        masked_opt.load_option(config_section, "masked");
     }
 
     output_layout_output_t(wlr_output *handle)
@@ -716,11 +724,23 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
         return false;
     }
 
-    /**
-     * Load the state the output is configured with.
-     * This is typically the config file, but in case of daemons like kanshi this
-     * might be the external configuration.
-     */
+    /** Apply desktop visibility without discarding explicit power state. */
+    void apply_mask_policy(output_state_t& state)
+    {
+        // Desktop visibility is independent of the connector's power state.
+        // Off remains off; a configured mirror becomes a black keepalive output.
+        if (masked_opt && (state.source != OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_NONE))
+        {
+            state.source = (state.source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_NONE) ?
+                OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED_DPMS : OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED;
+        } else if (!masked_opt && (state.source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED))
+        {
+            state.source = (state.source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_NONE) ?
+                OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_DPMS : OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_SELF;
+        }
+    }
+
+    /** Load configured or externally managed state, including desktop visibility. */
     output_state_t load_configured_state()
     {
         // Ensure custom modes from the config are enabled
@@ -731,7 +751,9 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
         if (should_ignore_config_state())
         {
             // Current state is what was requested by the client.
-            return this->current_state;
+            auto state = this->current_state;
+            apply_mask_policy(state);
+            return state;
         }
 
         output_state_t state;
@@ -775,6 +797,7 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
         state.vrr   = vrr_opt;
         state.hdr   = hdr_opt;
         state.depth = depth_opt;
+        apply_mask_policy(state);
         return state;
     }
 
@@ -1085,6 +1108,31 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
         return pending_state.commit(handle);
     }
 
+    bool render_black_output()
+    {
+        auto pass = wlr_output_begin_render_pass(handle, &pending_state.pending, nullptr);
+        if (!pass)
+        {
+            pending_state.reset();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        wlr_render_rect_options black{};
+        black.box = {0, 0, handle->width, handle->height};
+        black.color = {0, 0, 0, 1};
+        black.blend_mode = WLR_RENDER_BLEND_MODE_NONE;
+        wlr_render_pass_add_rect(pass, &black);
+        if (!wlr_render_pass_submit(pass))
+        {
+            pending_state.reset();
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        // Scanout repeats the committed black buffer in hardware. There is no
+        // frame listener or render loop for a masked output.
+        return pending_state.commit(handle);
+    }
+
     /* Load output contents and render them */
     wlr_buffer *source_back_buffer = NULL;
     wf::explicit_sync_point_t source_wait_point;
@@ -1248,7 +1296,7 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
      */
     void emit_configuration_changed(uint32_t changed_fields)
     {
-        if ((handle->data != WF_NOOP_OUTPUT_MAGIC) && changed_fields)
+        if (output && (handle->data != WF_NOOP_OUTPUT_MAGIC) && changed_fields)
         {
             wf::output_configuration_changed_signal data{current_state};
             data.output = output.get();
@@ -1302,7 +1350,8 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
          * up again, in case the output to mirror from changed */
         teardown_mirror();
 
-        if (state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_NONE || (stitch_source_box && stitch_power_off))
+        if (state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_NONE || state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED_DPMS ||
+            (stitch_source_box && stitch_power_off))
         {
             /* output is OFF */
             destroy_wayfire_output();
@@ -1337,6 +1386,13 @@ struct output_layout_output_t
             ensure_wayfire_output(get_effective_size());
             emit_configuration_changed(changed_fields);
             output->render->damage_whole();
+        } else if (state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED)
+        {
+            destroy_wayfire_output();
+            if (!render_black_output())
+            {
+                LOGE("Failed to commit black keepalive frame on masked output ", handle->name);
+            }
         } else /* state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR */
         {
             destroy_wayfire_output();
@@ -1534,6 +1590,10 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
 
             state.source = OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_SELF;
 
+            // Output-management clients may edit modes or power, but must not
+            // accidentally expose an output configured as masked.
+            outputs.at(handle)->apply_mask_policy(state);
+
             if (head->state.mode)
             {
                 state.mode = *head->state.mode;
@@ -1844,9 +1904,9 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
         {
             for (auto& [handle, state] : config)
             {
-                if (std::string(handle->name) == "STITCH-1")
+                if (std::string(handle->name) == "VIRTUAL-1")
                 {
-                    LOGE("Cannot stitch: STITCH-1 is already in use.");
+                    LOGE("Cannot stitch: VIRTUAL-1 is already in use.");
                     return {};
                 }
             }
@@ -1858,7 +1918,7 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
                 return {};
             }
 
-            wlr_output_set_name(stitch_output, "STITCH-1");
+            wlr_output_set_name(stitch_output, "VIRTUAL-1");
             wlr_output_set_description(stitch_output, "Combined desktop output");
             if (!wlr_output_init_render(stitch_output, get_core().allocator, get_core().renderer))
             {
@@ -1908,7 +1968,7 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
             const auto& box = zones[i].geometry;
             lo->stitch_source_box = wlr_box{(int)box.x, (int)box.y, (int)box.width, (int)box.height};
             state.source = OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR;
-            state.mirror_from = "STITCH-1";
+            state.mirror_from = "VIRTUAL-1";
         }
 
         return zones;
@@ -1960,7 +2020,7 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
                 wo->get_data_safe<wf::output_stitch_layout_t>()->zones = std::move(zones);
                 wo->render->damage_whole();
                 LOGI("Combined desktop: ", stitch_output->width, "x", stitch_output->height,
-                    " on STITCH-1");
+                    " on VIRTUAL-1");
             }
         } else
         {
@@ -2186,14 +2246,14 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
             }
         }
 
-        /* Fourth: enable mirrored outputs */
+        /* Fourth: configure outputs which have no desktop of their own. */
         for (auto& entry : config)
         {
             auto& handle = entry.first;
             auto& state  = entry.second;
             auto& lo     = this->outputs[handle];
 
-            if (state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR)
+            if (state.source == OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MIRROR || (state.source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED))
             {
                 lo->apply_state(state);
                 wlr_output_layout_remove(output_layout, handle);
@@ -2278,6 +2338,12 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
 
         const bool wants_dpms = (ev->mode == ZWLR_OUTPUT_POWER_V1_MODE_OFF);
         auto target = ev->output;
+        if (config[target].source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED)
+        {
+            config[target].source = wants_dpms ? OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED_DPMS : OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED;
+            apply_configuration(config);
+            return;
+        }
         if (stitch_output && outputs.at(target)->stitch_source_box)
         {
             target = stitch_output;
@@ -2318,7 +2384,7 @@ class output_layout_t::impl
                 return true;
             }
 
-            if (!lo->output)
+            if (!lo->output && !(lo->current_state.source & OUTPUT_IMAGE_SOURCE_MASKED))
             {
                 return false;
             }
diff --git a/src/view/xdg-shell/xdg-toplevel-view.cpp b/src/view/xdg-shell/xdg-toplevel-view.cpp
index d8d558a..0b1bf6f 100644
--- a/src/view/xdg-shell/xdg-toplevel-view.cpp
+++ b/src/view/xdg-shell/xdg-toplevel-view.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "wayfire/util.hpp"
 #include "wayfire/view.hpp"
 #include <wayfire/output-layout.hpp>
+#include <wayfire/option-wrapper.hpp>
 #include <wayfire/workspace-set.hpp>
 #include <wlr/util/edges.h>
 #include <wayfire/window-manager.hpp>
@@ -258,7 +259,9 @@ std::shared_ptr<wf::xdg_toplevel_view_t> wf::xdg_toplevel_view_t::create(wlr_xdg
     self->set_surface_root_node(self->surface_root_node);
 
     // Set the output early, so that we can emit the signals on the output
-    self->set_output(wf::get_core().seat->get_active_output());
+    wf::option_wrapper_t<std::string> default_output{"core/default_output"};
+    auto initial_output = wf::get_core().output_layout->find_output(default_output.value());
+    self->set_output(initial_output ?: wf::get_core().seat->get_active_output());
 
     self->handle_title_changed(nonull(toplevel->title));
     self->handle_app_id_changed(nonull(toplevel->app_id));