chore(owlry): bump version to 1.0.10

Script plugins can now declare tab_label and search_noun in their
plugin.toml [[providers]] section. These flow through the Provider
trait, IPC ProviderDesc, and into the UI via provider_meta::resolve().
Unknown plugins auto-generate labels from type_id instead of showing
a generic "Plugin" label.

CLAUDE.md

@@ -276,7 +276,7 @@ Communication uses newline-delimited JSON over a Unix domain socket at `$XDG_RUN
 | Type | Purpose |
 |------|---------|
 | `Results` | Search results with `Vec<ResultItem>` |
-| `Providers` | Provider list with `Vec<ProviderDesc>` |
+| `Providers` | Provider list with `Vec<ProviderDesc>` (includes optional `tab_label`, `search_noun`) |
 | `SubmenuItems` | Submenu actions for a plugin |
 | `Ack` | Success acknowledgement |
 | `Error` | Error with message |
@@ -331,6 +331,8 @@ All other providers are native plugins in the separate `owlry-plugins` repo (`so
 
 **Submenu System**: Plugins can return items with `SUBMENU:plugin_id:data` commands. When selected, the plugin is queried with `?SUBMENU:data` to get action items (e.g., systemd service actions).
 
+**Provider Display Metadata**: Script plugins can declare `tab_label` and `search_noun` in their `plugin.toml` `[[providers]]` section, or at runtime via `owlry.provider.register()` (Lua) / `register_provider()` (Rune). These flow through the `Provider` trait → `ProviderDescriptor` → IPC `ProviderDesc` → UI. The UI resolves metadata via `provider_meta::resolve()`, checking IPC metadata first, then falling back to the hardcoded match table. Unknown plugins auto-generate labels from `type_id` (e.g., "hs" → "Hs"). Native plugins use the hardcoded match table since `owlry-plugin-api::ProviderInfo` doesn't include these fields (deferred to API v5).
+
 ### Plugin API
 
 Native plugins use the ABI-stable interface in `owlry-plugin-api`:
@@ -428,6 +430,7 @@ Plugins live in a separate repository: `somegit.dev/Owlibou/owlry-plugins`
 - **ABI stability**: Plugin interface uses `abi_stable` crate for safe Rust dynamic linking
 - **Plugin API v3**: Adds `position` (Normal/Widget) and `priority` fields to ProviderInfo
 - **ProviderType simplification**: Core uses only `Application`, `Command`, `Dmenu`, `Plugin(String)` - all plugin-specific types removed from core
+- **Provider display metadata**: Tab labels and search nouns flow from plugin.toml → `Provider` trait → IPC `ProviderDesc` → UI `provider_meta::resolve()`. Known native plugins use a hardcoded match table; script plugins declare metadata in their manifest or at runtime registration
 
 ## Dependencies (Rust 1.90+, GTK 4.12+)
 

Cargo.lock

@@ -2325,7 +2325,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "owlry"
-version = "1.0.9"
+version = "1.0.10"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "clap",
@@ -2346,7 +2346,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "owlry-core"
-version = "1.3.5"
+version = "1.3.6"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "dirs",
@@ -2374,7 +2374,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "owlry-lua"
-version = "1.1.4"
+version = "1.1.5"
 dependencies = [
  "abi_stable",
  "chrono",
@@ -2399,7 +2399,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "owlry-rune"
-version = "1.1.5"
+version = "1.1.6"
 dependencies = [
  "chrono",
  "dirs",

README.md

@@ -459,6 +459,32 @@ owlry plugin create my-plugin -r rune      # Rune
 owlry plugin run <plugin-id> <command> [args...]
 ```
 
+### Plugin Display Metadata
+
+Plugins can declare how they appear in the UI via their `plugin.toml`. Without these fields, the tab label and search placeholder default to a capitalized version of the `type_id`.
+
+```toml
+[[providers]]
+id = "my-plugin"
+name = "My Plugin"
+type_id = "myplugin"
+tab_label = "My Plugin"        # Tab button and page title
+search_noun = "plugin items"   # Search placeholder: "Search plugin items..."
+```
+
+Both fields are optional. If omitted, the UI auto-generates from `type_id` (e.g., `type_id = "hs"` shows "Hs" as the tab label).
+
+Lua plugins can also set these at runtime via `owlry.provider.register()`:
+
+```lua
+owlry.provider.register({
+    id = "my-plugin",
+    name = "My Plugin",
+    tab_label = "My Plugin",
+    search_noun = "plugin items",
+})
+```
+
 ### Creating Custom Plugins
 
 See [docs/PLUGIN_DEVELOPMENT.md](docs/PLUGIN_DEVELOPMENT.md) for:

crates/owlry-core/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "owlry-core"
-version = "1.3.5"
+version = "1.3.6"
 edition.workspace = true
 rust-version.workspace = true
 license.workspace = true

crates/owlry-core/src/ipc.rs

@@ -90,4 +90,8 @@ pub struct ProviderDesc {
     pub prefix: Option<String>,
     pub icon: String,
     pub position: String,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Option::is_none")]
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }

crates/owlry-core/src/plugins/manifest.rs

@@ -73,6 +73,12 @@ pub struct ProviderSpec {
     pub provider_type: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub type_id: Option<String>,
+    /// Short label for UI tab button (e.g., "Shutdown"). Defaults to provider name.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    /// Noun for search placeholder (e.g., "shutdown actions"). Defaults to provider name.
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 fn default_provider_type() -> String {

crates/owlry-core/src/plugins/runtime_loader.rs

@@ -41,6 +41,8 @@ pub struct ScriptProviderInfo {
     pub default_icon: RString,
     pub is_static: bool,
     pub prefix: owlry_plugin_api::ROption<RString>,
+    pub tab_label: owlry_plugin_api::ROption<RString>,
+    pub search_noun: owlry_plugin_api::ROption<RString>,
 }
 
 // Type alias for backwards compatibility
@@ -273,6 +275,14 @@ impl Provider for RuntimeProvider {
     fn items(&self) -> &[LaunchItem] {
         &self.items
     }
+
+    fn tab_label(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.info.tab_label.as_ref().map(|s| s.as_str()).into()
+    }
+
+    fn search_noun(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        self.info.search_noun.as_ref().map(|s| s.as_str()).into()
+    }
 }
 
 // RuntimeProvider is Send + Sync because:

crates/owlry-core/src/providers/mod.rs

@@ -42,6 +42,8 @@ pub struct ProviderDescriptor {
     pub prefix: Option<String>,
     pub icon: String,
     pub position: String,
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// Trust level of a [`LaunchItem`]'s command, used to gate `sh -c` execution.
@@ -148,6 +150,14 @@ pub trait Provider: Send + Sync {
     fn provider_type(&self) -> ProviderType;
     fn refresh(&mut self);
     fn items(&self) -> &[LaunchItem];
+    /// Short label for UI tab button (e.g., "Shutdown"). None = use default.
+    fn tab_label(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        None
+    }
+    /// Noun for search placeholder (e.g., "shutdown actions"). None = use default.
+    fn search_noun(&self) -> Option<&str> {
+        None
+    }
 }
 
 /// Trait for built-in providers that produce results per-keystroke.
@@ -1022,6 +1032,8 @@ impl ProviderManager {
                 prefix,
                 icon,
                 position: "normal".to_string(),
+                tab_label: provider.tab_label().map(String::from),
+                search_noun: provider.search_noun().map(String::from),
             });
         }
 
@@ -1033,6 +1045,8 @@ impl ProviderManager {
                 prefix: provider.prefix().map(String::from),
                 icon: provider.icon().to_string(),
                 position: provider.position_str().to_string(),
+                tab_label: None,
+                search_noun: None,
             });
         }
 
@@ -1044,6 +1058,8 @@ impl ProviderManager {
                 prefix: provider.prefix().map(String::from),
                 icon: provider.icon().to_string(),
                 position: provider.position_str().to_string(),
+                tab_label: None,
+                search_noun: None,
             });
         }
 
@@ -1055,6 +1071,8 @@ impl ProviderManager {
                 prefix: provider.prefix().map(String::from),
                 icon: provider.icon().to_string(),
                 position: provider.position_str().to_string(),
+                tab_label: None,
+                search_noun: None,
             });
         }
 

crates/owlry-core/src/server.rs

@@ -472,6 +472,8 @@ fn descriptor_to_desc(desc: crate::providers::ProviderDescriptor) -> ProviderDes
         prefix: desc.prefix,
         icon: desc.icon,
         position: desc.position,
+        tab_label: desc.tab_label,
+        search_noun: desc.search_noun,
     }
 }
 

crates/owlry-core/tests/ipc_test.rs

@@ -64,6 +64,8 @@ fn test_providers_response() {
             prefix: Some(":app".into()),
             icon: "application-x-executable".into(),
             position: "normal".into(),
+            tab_label: None,
+            search_noun: None,
         }],
     };
     let json = serde_json::to_string(&resp).unwrap();

crates/owlry-lua/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "owlry-lua"
-version = "1.1.4"
+version = "1.1.5"
 edition.workspace = true
 rust-version.workspace = true
 license.workspace = true

crates/owlry-lua/src/api/provider.rs

@@ -34,6 +34,8 @@ fn register_provider(lua: &Lua, config: Table) -> LuaResult<()> {
         .get::<Option<String>>("default_icon")?
         .unwrap_or_else(|| "application-x-addon".to_string());
     let prefix: Option<String> = config.get("prefix")?;
+    let tab_label: Option<String> = config.get("tab_label")?;
+    let search_noun: Option<String> = config.get("search_noun")?;
 
     // Check if it's a dynamic provider (has query function) or static (has refresh)
     let has_query: bool = config.contains_key("query")?;
@@ -70,6 +72,8 @@ fn register_provider(lua: &Lua, config: Table) -> LuaResult<()> {
             default_icon,
             prefix,
             is_dynamic,
+            tab_label,
+            search_noun,
         });
     });
 

crates/owlry-lua/src/lib.rs

@@ -113,6 +113,10 @@ pub struct LuaProviderInfo {
     pub is_static: bool,
     /// Optional prefix trigger
     pub prefix: ROption<RString>,
+    /// Short label for UI tab button
+    pub tab_label: ROption<RString>,
+    /// Noun for search placeholder
+    pub search_noun: ROption<RString>,
 }
 
 /// Internal runtime state
@@ -184,6 +188,8 @@ impl LuaRuntimeState {
                         default_icon: RString::from(reg.default_icon.as_str()),
                         is_static: !reg.is_dynamic,
                         prefix: reg.prefix.map(RString::from).into(),
+                        tab_label: reg.tab_label.map(RString::from).into(),
+                        search_noun: reg.search_noun.map(RString::from).into(),
                     });
                 }
             }

crates/owlry-lua/src/loader.rs

@@ -19,6 +19,8 @@ pub struct ProviderRegistration {
     pub default_icon: String,
     pub prefix: Option<String>,
     pub is_dynamic: bool,
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// A loaded plugin instance
@@ -113,6 +115,8 @@ impl LoadedPlugin {
                         .unwrap_or_else(|| "application-x-addon".to_string()),
                     prefix: decl.prefix.clone(),
                     is_dynamic: decl.provider_type == "dynamic",
+                    tab_label: decl.tab_label.clone(),
+                    search_noun: decl.search_noun.clone(),
                 });
             }
         }

crates/owlry-lua/src/manifest.rs

@@ -34,6 +34,10 @@ pub struct ProviderDecl {
     pub provider_type: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub type_id: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 fn default_provider_type() -> String {

crates/owlry-rune/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "owlry-rune"
-version = "1.1.5"
+version = "1.1.6"
 edition = "2024"
 rust-version = "1.90"
 description = "Rune scripting runtime for owlry plugins"

crates/owlry-rune/src/api.rs

@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@ pub struct ProviderRegistration {
     pub default_icon: String,
     pub is_static: bool,
     pub prefix: Option<String>,
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 /// An item returned by a provider

crates/owlry-rune/src/lib.rs

@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ pub struct RuneProviderInfo {
     pub default_icon: RString,
     pub is_static: bool,
     pub prefix: ROption<RString>,
+    pub tab_label: ROption<RString>,
+    pub search_noun: ROption<RString>,
 }
 
 /// Opaque handle to runtime state
@@ -126,6 +128,16 @@ extern "C" fn runtime_init(plugins_dir: RStr<'_>, owlry_version: RStr<'_>) -> Ru
                             .as_ref()
                             .map(|p| RString::from(p.as_str()))
                             .into(),
+                        tab_label: reg
+                            .tab_label
+                            .as_ref()
+                            .map(|s| RString::from(s.as_str()))
+                            .into(),
+                        search_noun: reg
+                            .search_noun
+                            .as_ref()
+                            .map(|s| RString::from(s.as_str()))
+                            .into(),
                     });
                 }
                 state.plugins.insert(id, plugin);

crates/owlry-rune/src/loader.rs

@@ -70,6 +70,8 @@ impl LoadedPlugin {
                     default_icon: decl.icon.clone().unwrap_or_else(|| "application-x-addon".to_string()),
                     is_static: decl.provider_type != "dynamic",
                     prefix: decl.prefix.clone(),
+                    tab_label: decl.tab_label.clone(),
+                    search_noun: decl.search_noun.clone(),
                 });
             }
         }

crates/owlry-rune/src/manifest.rs

@@ -29,6 +29,10 @@ pub struct ProviderDecl {
     pub provider_type: String,
     #[serde(default)]
     pub type_id: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub tab_label: Option<String>,
+    #[serde(default)]
+    pub search_noun: Option<String>,
 }
 
 fn default_provider_type() -> String {

crates/owlry/Cargo.toml

@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 [package]
 name = "owlry"
-version = "1.0.9"
+version = "1.0.10"
 edition = "2024"
 rust-version = "1.90"
 description = "A lightweight, owl-themed application launcher for Wayland"

crates/owlry/src/backend.rs

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use log::warn;
 use owlry_core::config::Config;
 use owlry_core::data::FrecencyStore;
 use owlry_core::filter::ProviderFilter;
-use owlry_core::ipc::ResultItem;
+use owlry_core::ipc::{ProviderDesc, ResultItem};
 use owlry_core::providers::{ItemSource, LaunchItem, ProviderManager, ProviderType};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
 
@@ -349,13 +349,12 @@ impl SearchBackend {
         }
     }
 
-    /// Get available provider type IDs from the daemon, or from local manager.
-    #[allow(dead_code)]
-    pub fn available_provider_ids(&mut self) -> Vec<String> {
+    /// Get available provider descriptors from the daemon, or from local manager.
+    pub fn available_providers(&mut self) -> Vec<ProviderDesc> {
         match self {
             SearchBackend::Daemon(handle) => match handle.client.lock() {
                 Ok(mut client) => match client.providers() {
-                    Ok(descs) => descs.into_iter().map(|d| d.id).collect(),
+                    Ok(descs) => descs,
                     Err(e) => {
                         warn!("IPC providers query failed: {}", e);
                         Vec::new()
@@ -369,7 +368,15 @@ impl SearchBackend {
             SearchBackend::Local { providers, .. } => providers
                 .available_providers()
                 .into_iter()
-                .map(|d| d.id)
+                .map(|d| ProviderDesc {
+                    id: d.id,
+                    name: d.name,
+                    prefix: d.prefix,
+                    icon: d.icon,
+                    position: d.position,
+                    tab_label: d.tab_label,
+                    search_noun: d.search_noun,
+                })
                 .collect(),
         }
     }

crates/owlry/src/client.rs

@@ -355,6 +355,8 @@ mod tests {
                 prefix: Some(":app".into()),
                 icon: "application-x-executable".into(),
                 position: "normal".into(),
+                tab_label: None,
+                search_noun: None,
             }],
         };
 

crates/owlry/src/plugin_commands.rs

@@ -841,6 +841,8 @@ type = "static"
 type_id = "{type_id}"
 icon = "application-x-addon"
 # prefix = ":{type_id}"
+# tab_label = "{display}"
+# search_noun = "{type_id} items"
 "#,
         name = name,
         display = display,

crates/owlry/src/ui/main_window.rs

@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@ use gtk4::{
 use log::info;
 use owlry_core::config::Config;
 use owlry_core::filter::ProviderFilter;
+use owlry_core::ipc::ProviderDesc;
 use owlry_core::providers::{ItemSource, LaunchItem, ProviderType};
 
 #[cfg(feature = "dev-logging")]
@@ -77,6 +78,8 @@ pub struct MainWindow {
     debounce_source: Rc<RefCell<Option<gtk4::glib::SourceId>>>,
     /// Whether we're in dmenu mode (stdin pipe input)
     is_dmenu_mode: bool,
+    /// Provider display metadata from daemon (keyed by provider id)
+    provider_descs: Rc<HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>>,
 }
 
 impl MainWindow {
@@ -143,8 +146,24 @@ impl MainWindow {
         let tab_strings: Vec<String> = enabled.iter().map(|p| p.to_string()).collect();
         let tab_order = Rc::new(enabled);
 
+        // Fetch provider display metadata from daemon/local backend
+        let provider_descs: HashMap<String, ProviderDesc> = backend
+            .borrow_mut()
+            .available_providers()
+            .into_iter()
+            .map(|d| (d.id.clone(), d))
+            .collect();
+        let provider_descs = Rc::new(provider_descs);
+
+        // Update mode label with resolved plugin name (if applicable)
+        mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(
+            &filter.borrow(),
+            &provider_descs,
+        ));
+
         // Create toggle buttons for each enabled provider
-        let filter_buttons = Self::create_filter_buttons(&filter_tabs, &filter, &tab_strings);
+        let filter_buttons =
+            Self::create_filter_buttons(&filter_tabs, &filter, &tab_strings, &provider_descs);
         let filter_buttons = Rc::new(RefCell::new(filter_buttons));
 
         header_box.append(&mode_label);
@@ -153,7 +172,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         // Search entry with dynamic placeholder (or custom prompt if provided)
         let placeholder = custom_prompt
             .clone()
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow()));
+            .unwrap_or_else(|| Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow(), &provider_descs));
         let search_entry = Entry::builder()
             .placeholder_text(&placeholder)
             .hexpand(true)
@@ -223,6 +242,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
             lazy_state,
             debounce_source: Rc::new(RefCell::new(None)),
             is_dmenu_mode,
+            provider_descs,
         };
 
         main_window.setup_signals();
@@ -267,6 +287,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         container: &GtkBox,
         filter: &Rc<RefCell<ProviderFilter>>,
         tabs: &[String],
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
     ) -> HashMap<ProviderType, ToggleButton> {
         let mut buttons = HashMap::new();
 
@@ -280,7 +301,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                 }
             };
 
-            let base_label = Self::provider_tab_label(&provider_type);
+            let meta = Self::provider_meta(&provider_type, descs);
             // Show number hint in the label for first 9 tabs (using superscript)
             let label = if idx < 9 {
                 let superscript = match idx + 1 {
@@ -295,9 +316,9 @@ impl MainWindow {
                     9 => "⁹",
                     _ => "",
                 };
-                format!("{}{}", base_label, superscript)
+                format!("{}{}", meta.tab_label, superscript)
             } else {
-                base_label.to_string()
+                meta.tab_label.clone()
             };
             let shortcut = format!("Ctrl+{}", idx + 1);
 
@@ -308,8 +329,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                 .build();
 
             button.add_css_class("owlry-filter-button");
-            let css_class = Self::provider_css_class(&provider_type);
-            button.add_css_class(css_class);
+            button.add_css_class(&meta.css_class);
 
             container.append(&button);
             buttons.insert(provider_type, button);
@@ -318,21 +338,42 @@ impl MainWindow {
         buttons
     }
 
-    /// Get display label for a provider tab
-    /// Core types have fixed labels; plugins derive labels from type_id
-    fn provider_tab_label(provider: &ProviderType) -> &'static str {
-        provider_meta::meta_for(provider).tab_label
+    /// Get the mode display name, resolving plugin names via IPC metadata.
+    fn mode_display_name(
+        filter: &ProviderFilter,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
+    ) -> String {
+        let base = filter.mode_display_name();
+        // "Plugin" is the generic fallback — resolve it to the actual name
+        if base == "Plugin" {
+            let enabled = filter.enabled_providers();
+            if enabled.len() == 1
+                && let ProviderType::Plugin(_) = &enabled[0]
+            {
+                return Self::provider_meta(&enabled[0], descs).tab_label;
+            }
+        }
+        base.to_string()
     }
 
-    fn provider_css_class(provider: &ProviderType) -> &'static str {
-        provider_meta::meta_for(provider).css_class
+    /// Resolve display metadata for a provider, checking IPC data first.
+    fn provider_meta(
+        provider: &ProviderType,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
+    ) -> provider_meta::ProviderMeta {
+        let type_id = provider.to_string();
+        let desc = descs.get(&type_id);
+        provider_meta::resolve(provider, desc)
     }
 
-    fn build_placeholder(filter: &ProviderFilter) -> String {
-        let active: Vec<&str> = filter
+    fn build_placeholder(
+        filter: &ProviderFilter,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
+    ) -> String {
+        let active: Vec<String> = filter
             .enabled_providers()
             .iter()
-            .map(|p| provider_meta::meta_for(p).search_noun)
+            .map(|p| Self::provider_meta(p, descs).search_noun)
             .collect();
 
         format!("Search {}...", active.join(", "))
@@ -451,6 +492,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         search_entry: &Entry,
         filter: &Rc<RefCell<ProviderFilter>>,
         config: &Rc<RefCell<Config>>,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
     ) {
         #[cfg(feature = "dev-logging")]
         debug!("[UI] Exiting submenu");
@@ -463,9 +505,12 @@ impl MainWindow {
         };
 
         // Restore UI
-        mode_label.set_label(filter.borrow().mode_display_name());
+        mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(&filter.borrow(), descs));
         hints_label.set_label(&Self::build_hints(&config.borrow().providers));
-        search_entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow())));
+        search_entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(
+            &filter.borrow(),
+            descs,
+        )));
         search_entry.set_text(&saved_search);
 
         // Trigger refresh by emitting changed signal
@@ -484,6 +529,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         let submenu_state = self.submenu_state.clone();
         let lazy_state = self.lazy_state.clone();
         let debounce_source = self.debounce_source.clone();
+        let descs = self.provider_descs.clone();
 
         self.search_entry.connect_changed(move |entry| {
             let raw_query = entry.text();
@@ -532,7 +578,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                 f.set_prefix(parsed.prefix.clone());
             }
 
-            mode_label.set_label(filter.borrow().mode_display_name());
+            mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(&filter.borrow(), &descs));
 
             if let Some(ref prefix) = parsed.prefix {
                 let prefix_name = match prefix {
@@ -779,6 +825,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
             let search_entry = self.search_entry.clone();
             let mode_label = self.mode_label.clone();
             let ptype = provider_type.clone();
+            let descs = self.provider_descs.clone();
 
             button.connect_toggled(move |btn| {
                 {
@@ -789,8 +836,11 @@ impl MainWindow {
                         f.disable(ptype.clone());
                     }
                 }
-                mode_label.set_label(filter.borrow().mode_display_name());
-                search_entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow())));
+                mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(&filter.borrow(), &descs));
+                search_entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(
+                    &filter.borrow(),
+                    &descs,
+                )));
                 search_entry.emit_by_name::<()>("changed", &[]);
             });
         }
@@ -811,6 +861,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         let tab_order = self.tab_order.clone();
         let is_dmenu_mode = self.is_dmenu_mode;
         let lazy_state_for_keys = self.lazy_state.clone();
+        let provider_descs = self.provider_descs.clone();
 
         key_controller.connect_key_pressed(move |_, key, _, modifiers| {
             let ctrl = modifiers.contains(gtk4::gdk::ModifierType::CONTROL_MASK);
@@ -833,6 +884,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                             &search_entry,
                             &filter,
                             &config,
+                            &provider_descs,
                         );
                         gtk4::glib::Propagation::Stop
                     } else {
@@ -854,6 +906,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                             &search_entry,
                             &filter,
                             &config,
+                            &provider_descs,
                         );
                         gtk4::glib::Propagation::Stop
                     } else {
@@ -901,6 +954,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                             &mode_label,
                             &tab_order,
                             !shift,
+                            &provider_descs,
                         );
                     }
                     gtk4::glib::Propagation::Stop
@@ -914,6 +968,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                             &mode_label,
                             &tab_order,
                             false,
+                            &provider_descs,
                         );
                     }
                     gtk4::glib::Propagation::Stop
@@ -953,6 +1008,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
                                 &filter_buttons,
                                 &search_entry,
                                 &mode_label,
+                                &provider_descs,
                             );
                         } else {
                             info!(
@@ -1041,6 +1097,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         mode_label: &Label,
         tab_order: &[ProviderType],
         forward: bool,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
     ) {
         if tab_order.is_empty() {
             return;
@@ -1113,8 +1170,8 @@ impl MainWindow {
             }
         }
 
-        mode_label.set_label(filter.borrow().mode_display_name());
-        entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow())));
+        mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(&filter.borrow(), descs));
+        entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow(), descs)));
         entry.emit_by_name::<()>("changed", &[]);
     }
 
@@ -1124,6 +1181,7 @@ impl MainWindow {
         buttons: &Rc<RefCell<HashMap<ProviderType, ToggleButton>>>,
         entry: &Entry,
         mode_label: &Label,
+        descs: &HashMap<String, ProviderDesc>,
     ) {
         {
             let mut f = filter.borrow_mut();
@@ -1134,8 +1192,8 @@ impl MainWindow {
             button.set_active(filter.borrow().is_enabled(provider));
         }
 
-        mode_label.set_label(filter.borrow().mode_display_name());
-        entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow())));
+        mode_label.set_label(&Self::mode_display_name(&filter.borrow(), descs));
+        entry.set_placeholder_text(Some(&Self::build_placeholder(&filter.borrow(), descs)));
         entry.emit_by_name::<()>("changed", &[]);
     }
 

crates/owlry/src/ui/provider_meta.rs

@@ -1,101 +1,191 @@
+use owlry_core::ipc::ProviderDesc;
 use owlry_core::providers::ProviderType;
 
 /// Display metadata for a provider.
 pub struct ProviderMeta {
-    pub tab_label: &'static str,
-    pub css_class: &'static str,
-    pub search_noun: &'static str,
+    pub tab_label: String,
+    pub css_class: String,
+    pub search_noun: String,
 }
 
-/// Return display metadata for a provider type.
-pub fn meta_for(provider: &ProviderType) -> ProviderMeta {
+/// Resolve display metadata, checking IPC-provided metadata first, then hardcoded fallback.
+pub fn resolve(provider: &ProviderType, desc: Option<&ProviderDesc>) -> ProviderMeta {
+    let fallback = hardcoded(provider);
+    ProviderMeta {
+        tab_label: desc
+            .and_then(|d| d.tab_label.clone())
+            .unwrap_or(fallback.tab_label),
+        css_class: fallback.css_class, // always auto-derived from type_id
+        search_noun: desc
+            .and_then(|d| d.search_noun.clone())
+            .unwrap_or(fallback.search_noun),
+    }
+}
+
+/// Hardcoded metadata for known provider types. Unknown plugins get auto-generated defaults.
+fn hardcoded(provider: &ProviderType) -> ProviderMeta {
     match provider {
         ProviderType::Application => ProviderMeta {
-            tab_label: "Apps",
-            css_class: "owlry-filter-app",
-            search_noun: "applications",
+            tab_label: "Apps".to_string(),
+            css_class: "owlry-filter-app".to_string(),
+            search_noun: "applications".to_string(),
         },
         ProviderType::Command => ProviderMeta {
-            tab_label: "Cmds",
-            css_class: "owlry-filter-cmd",
-            search_noun: "commands",
+            tab_label: "Cmds".to_string(),
+            css_class: "owlry-filter-cmd".to_string(),
+            search_noun: "commands".to_string(),
         },
         ProviderType::Dmenu => ProviderMeta {
-            tab_label: "Dmenu",
-            css_class: "owlry-filter-dmenu",
-            search_noun: "options",
+            tab_label: "Dmenu".to_string(),
+            css_class: "owlry-filter-dmenu".to_string(),
+            search_noun: "options".to_string(),
         },
         ProviderType::Plugin(type_id) => match type_id.as_str() {
             "bookmarks" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Bookmarks",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-bookmark",
-                search_noun: "bookmarks",
+                tab_label: "Bookmarks".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-bookmark".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "bookmarks".to_string(),
             },
             "calc" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Calc",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-calc",
-                search_noun: "calculator",
+                tab_label: "Calc".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-calc".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "calculator".to_string(),
             },
             "clipboard" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Clip",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-clip",
-                search_noun: "clipboard",
+                tab_label: "Clip".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-clip".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "clipboard".to_string(),
             },
             "emoji" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Emoji",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-emoji",
-                search_noun: "emoji",
+                tab_label: "Emoji".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-emoji".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "emoji".to_string(),
             },
             "filesearch" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Files",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-file",
-                search_noun: "files",
+                tab_label: "Files".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-file".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "files".to_string(),
             },
             "media" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Media",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-media",
-                search_noun: "media",
+                tab_label: "Media".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-media".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "media".to_string(),
             },
             "pomodoro" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Pomo",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-pomodoro",
-                search_noun: "pomodoro",
+                tab_label: "Pomo".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-pomodoro".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "pomodoro".to_string(),
             },
             "scripts" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Scripts",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-script",
-                search_noun: "scripts",
+                tab_label: "Scripts".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-script".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "scripts".to_string(),
             },
             "ssh" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "SSH",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-ssh",
-                search_noun: "SSH hosts",
+                tab_label: "SSH".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-ssh".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "SSH hosts".to_string(),
             },
             "system" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "System",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-sys",
-                search_noun: "system",
+                tab_label: "System".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-sys".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "system".to_string(),
             },
             "uuctl" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "uuctl",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-uuctl",
-                search_noun: "uuctl units",
+                tab_label: "uuctl".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-uuctl".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "uuctl units".to_string(),
             },
             "weather" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Weather",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-weather",
-                search_noun: "weather",
+                tab_label: "Weather".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-weather".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "weather".to_string(),
             },
             "websearch" => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Web",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-web",
-                search_noun: "web",
-            },
-            _ => ProviderMeta {
-                tab_label: "Plugin",
-                css_class: "owlry-filter-plugin",
-                search_noun: "plugins",
+                tab_label: "Web".to_string(),
+                css_class: "owlry-filter-web".to_string(),
+                search_noun: "web".to_string(),
             },
+            // Unknown plugin: auto-generate from type_id
+            _ => {
+                let label = capitalize(type_id);
+                ProviderMeta {
+                    css_class: format!("owlry-filter-{}", type_id),
+                    search_noun: type_id.to_string(),
+                    tab_label: label,
+                }
+            }
         },
     }
 }
+
+/// Capitalize first character of a string.
+fn capitalize(s: &str) -> String {
+    let mut chars = s.chars();
+    match chars.next() {
+        None => String::new(),
+        Some(c) => c.to_uppercase().collect::<String>() + chars.as_str(),
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests {
+    use super::*;
+
+    #[test]
+    fn known_plugin_returns_hardcoded() {
+        let meta = resolve(&ProviderType::Plugin("calc".to_string()), None);
+        assert_eq!(meta.tab_label, "Calc");
+        assert_eq!(meta.css_class, "owlry-filter-calc");
+        assert_eq!(meta.search_noun, "calculator");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn unknown_plugin_generates_from_type_id() {
+        let meta = resolve(&ProviderType::Plugin("hs".to_string()), None);
+        assert_eq!(meta.tab_label, "Hs");
+        assert_eq!(meta.css_class, "owlry-filter-hs");
+        assert_eq!(meta.search_noun, "hs");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ipc_metadata_overrides_hardcoded() {
+        let desc = ProviderDesc {
+            id: "hs".to_string(),
+            name: "Hypr Shutdown".to_string(),
+            prefix: None,
+            icon: "system-shutdown".to_string(),
+            position: "normal".to_string(),
+            tab_label: Some("Shutdown".to_string()),
+            search_noun: Some("shutdown actions".to_string()),
+        };
+        let meta = resolve(&ProviderType::Plugin("hs".to_string()), Some(&desc));
+        assert_eq!(meta.tab_label, "Shutdown");
+        assert_eq!(meta.search_noun, "shutdown actions");
+        // css_class always from hardcoded
+        assert_eq!(meta.css_class, "owlry-filter-hs");
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn ipc_partial_override_falls_back() {
+        let desc = ProviderDesc {
+            id: "calc".to_string(),
+            name: "Calculator".to_string(),
+            prefix: None,
+            icon: "calc".to_string(),
+            position: "normal".to_string(),
+            tab_label: Some("Calculator".to_string()),
+            search_noun: None, // not provided
+        };
+        let meta = resolve(&ProviderType::Plugin("calc".to_string()), Some(&desc));
+        assert_eq!(meta.tab_label, "Calculator"); // from IPC
+        assert_eq!(meta.search_noun, "calculator"); // from hardcoded fallback
+    }
+
+    #[test]
+    fn core_types_unaffected() {
+        let meta = resolve(&ProviderType::Application, None);
+        assert_eq!(meta.tab_label, "Apps");
+        assert_eq!(meta.css_class, "owlry-filter-app");
+    }
+}