# IPC

tarmac exposes a full IPC (inter-process communication) interface over a Unix domain socket. External tools, scripts, and the `tarmacctl` CLI can send commands and receive events.

## Overview

The IPC system provides:

- **Command execution** — focus, swap, resize, workspace management, etc.
- **State queries** — get windows, workspaces, monitors, layout trees
- **Event subscription** — real-time stream of workspace changes, window focus, etc.

## Sections

- [Socket & Protocol](/docs/ipc/socket-protocol) — socket location, JSON wire format, permissions
- [tarmacctl](/docs/ipc/tarmacctl) — the CLI control tool
- [Commands](/docs/ipc/commands) — complete command reference
- [Events & Subscribe](/docs/ipc/events-subscribe) — subscribing to real-time events