diff --git a/include/cairo/context.hpp b/include/cairo/context.hpp
index c9326ab4..156fc58f 100644
--- a/include/cairo/context.hpp
+++ b/include/cairo/context.hpp
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 #include "cairo/utils.hpp"
 #include "common.hpp"
 #include "components/logger.hpp"
+#include "components/types.hpp"
 #include "errors.hpp"
 #include "utils/color.hpp"
 #include "utils/string.hpp"
@@ -63,6 +64,9 @@ namespace cairo {
     }
 
     context& operator<<(const abspos& p) {
+      if (p.clear) {
+        cairo_new_path(m_c);
+      }
       cairo_move_to(m_c, p.x, p.y);
       return *this;
     }
@@ -117,8 +121,24 @@ namespace cairo {
       return *this;
     }
 
+    context& operator<<(const rounded_corners& c) {
+      double radius = c.radius / 1.0;
+      double d = M_PI / 180.0;
+      cairo_new_sub_path(m_c);
+      cairo_arc(m_c, c.x + c.w - radius, c.y + radius, radius, -90 * d, 0 * d);
+      cairo_arc(m_c, c.x + c.w - radius, c.y + c.h - radius, radius, 0 * d, 90 * d);
+      cairo_arc(m_c, c.x + radius, c.y + c.h - radius, radius, 90 * d, 180 * d);
+      cairo_arc(m_c, c.x + radius, c.y + radius, radius, 180 * d, 270 * d);
+      cairo_close_path(m_c);
+      return *this;
+    }
+
     context& operator<<(const textblock& t) {
-      // Sort the fontlist so that the preferred font is tested first
+      double x, y;
+      position(&x, &y);
+
+      // Sort the fontlist so that the
+      // preferred font gets prioritized
       auto& fns = m_fonts;
       std::sort(fns.begin(), fns.end(), [&](const unique_ptr<font>& a, const unique_ptr<font>&) {
         if (t.fontindex > 0 && std::distance(fns.begin(), std::find(fns.begin(), fns.end(), a)) == t.fontindex - 1) {
@@ -147,18 +167,56 @@ namespace cairo {
             end++;
           }
 
-          f->use(m_c);
+          // encapsulate the vert. centering
+          save();
+          {
+            *this << abspos{x, y};
 
-          cairo_text_extents_t extents;
-          f->textwidth(utf8, &extents);
+            f->use();
 
-          save(); // encapsulate the y pos update
-          *this << relpos{0.0, extents.height / 2.0 - f->extents().descent + f->offset()};
-          f->render(subset);
+            cairo_text_extents_t extents;
+            f->textwidth(utf8, &extents);
+            double dx{0.0}, dy{0.0};
+
+            if (t.align == alignment::CENTER) {
+              dx -= extents.x_advance / 2.0;
+
+              save();
+              {
+                cairo_rectangle(m_c, x, y, extents.x_advance / 2.0, extents.height);
+                auto pattern = cairo_pattern_create_rgba(1.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+                cairo_set_source(m_c, pattern);
+                cairo_translate(m_c, dx, 0.0);
+                cairo_set_operator(m_c, CAIRO_OPERATOR_DEST);
+                cairo_fill(m_c);
+                cairo_pattern_destroy(pattern);
+              }
+              restore();
+            } else if (t.align == alignment::RIGHT) {
+              dx -= extents.x_advance;
+
+              save();
+              {
+                cairo_rectangle(m_c, x, y, extents.x_advance, extents.height);
+                auto pattern = cairo_pattern_create_rgba(0.0, 0.0, 0.0, 0.0);
+                cairo_set_source(m_c, pattern);
+                cairo_set_operator(m_c, CAIRO_OPERATOR_DEST);
+                cairo_translate(m_c, dx, 0.0);
+                cairo_fill(m_c);
+                cairo_pattern_destroy(pattern);
+              }
+              restore();
+            }
+
+            auto fontextents = f->extents();
+            f->render(subset, x + dx,
+                y + dy - (extents.height / 2.0 + extents.y_bearing + fontextents.descent) + f->offset());
+            position(&x, nullptr);
+            x += dx;
+            y += dy;
+          }
           restore();
 
-          *this << relpos{extents.width, 0.0};
-
           chars.erase(chars.begin(), end);
           break;
         }
@@ -179,6 +237,8 @@ namespace cairo {
         chars.erase(chars.begin(), ++chars.begin());
       }
 
+      *this << abspos{x, y};
+
       return *this;
     }
 
@@ -197,11 +257,11 @@ namespace cairo {
     }
 
     context& restore(bool restore_point = true) {
+      cairo_restore(m_c);
       if (restore_point) {
         *this << abspos{m_points.front().first, m_points.front().first};
         m_points.pop_front();
       }
-      cairo_restore(m_c);
       return *this;
     }
 
@@ -215,8 +275,12 @@ namespace cairo {
       return *this;
     }
 
-    context& fill() {
-      cairo_fill(m_c);
+    context& fill(bool preserve = false) {
+      if (preserve) {
+        cairo_fill_preserve(m_c);
+      } else {
+        cairo_fill(m_c);
+      }
       return *this;
     }
 
@@ -231,10 +295,11 @@ namespace cairo {
       return *this;
     }
 
-    context& position(double* x, double* y) {
-      *x = 0.0;
-      *y = 0.0;
+    context& position(double* x, double* y = nullptr) {
       if (cairo_has_current_point(m_c)) {
+        double x_, y_;
+        x = x != nullptr ? x : &x_;
+        y = y != nullptr ? y : &y_;
         cairo_get_current_point(m_c, x, y);
       }
       return *this;
diff --git a/include/cairo/font.hpp b/include/cairo/font.hpp
index 9f75a624..4d49d40f 100644
--- a/include/cairo/font.hpp
+++ b/include/cairo/font.hpp
@@ -63,25 +63,23 @@ namespace cairo {
   class font {
    public:
     explicit font(cairo_t* cairo, double offset) : m_cairo(cairo), m_offset(offset) {}
-    virtual ~font() {};
+    virtual ~font(){};
 
     virtual string name() const = 0;
     virtual string file() const = 0;
     virtual double offset() const = 0;
     virtual double size() const = 0;
 
-    virtual void use(cairo_t* c) {
-      cairo_set_font_face(c, cairo_font_face_reference(m_font_face));
+    virtual cairo_font_extents_t extents() = 0;
+
+    virtual void use() {
+      cairo_set_font_face(m_cairo, cairo_font_face_reference(m_font_face));
     }
 
     virtual size_t match(unicode_charlist& charlist) = 0;
-    virtual size_t render(const string& text) = 0;
+    virtual size_t render(const string& text, double x = 0.0, double y = 0.0, bool reverse = false) = 0;
     virtual void textwidth(const string& text, cairo_text_extents_t* extents) = 0;
 
-    cairo_font_extents_t extents() const {
-      return m_extents;
-    }
-
    protected:
     cairo_t* m_cairo;
     cairo_font_face_t* m_font_face{nullptr};
@@ -111,7 +109,7 @@ namespace cairo {
         throw application_error(sstream() << "cairo_scaled_font_create(): " << cairo_status_to_string(status));
       }
 
-      auto lock = make_unique<details::ft_face_lock>(cairo_scaled_font_reference(m_scaled));
+      auto lock = make_unique<details::ft_face_lock>(m_scaled);
       auto face = static_cast<FT_Face>(*lock);
 
       if (FT_Select_Charmap(face, FT_ENCODING_UNICODE) == FT_Err_Ok) {
@@ -121,6 +119,8 @@ namespace cairo {
       } else if (FT_Select_Charmap(face, FT_ENCODING_SJIS) == FT_Err_Ok) {
         return;
       }
+
+      lock.reset();
     }
 
     ~font_fc() override {
@@ -132,6 +132,11 @@ namespace cairo {
       }
     }
 
+    cairo_font_extents_t extents() override {
+      cairo_scaled_font_extents(m_scaled, &m_extents);
+      return m_extents;
+    }
+
     string name() const override {
       return property("family");
     }
@@ -157,12 +162,12 @@ namespace cairo {
       return px;
     }
 
-    void use(cairo_t* c) override {
-      cairo_set_scaled_font(c, cairo_scaled_font_reference(m_scaled));
+    void use() override {
+      cairo_set_scaled_font(m_cairo, m_scaled);
     }
 
     size_t match(unicode_charlist& charlist) override {
-      auto lock = make_unique<details::ft_face_lock>(cairo_scaled_font_reference(m_scaled));
+      auto lock = make_unique<details::ft_face_lock>(m_scaled);
       auto face = static_cast<FT_Face>(*lock);
       size_t available_chars = 0;
       for (auto&& c : charlist) {
@@ -176,20 +181,22 @@ namespace cairo {
       return available_chars;
     }
 
-    size_t render(const string& text) override {
-      double x, y;
-      cairo_get_current_point(m_cairo, &x, &y);
-
+    size_t render(const string& text, double x = 0.0, double y = 0.0, bool reverse = false) override {
       cairo_glyph_t* glyphs{nullptr};
       cairo_text_cluster_t* clusters{nullptr};
       cairo_text_cluster_flags_t cf{};
       int nglyphs = 0, nclusters = 0;
+
+      if (reverse) {
+        cf = CAIRO_TEXT_CLUSTER_FLAG_BACKWARD;
+      }
+
       string utf8 = string(text);
-      auto status = cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs(cairo_scaled_font_reference(m_scaled), x, y, utf8.c_str(),
-          utf8.size(), &glyphs, &nglyphs, &clusters, &nclusters, &cf);
+      auto status = cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs(
+          m_scaled, x, y, utf8.c_str(), utf8.size(), &glyphs, &nglyphs, &clusters, &nclusters, &cf);
 
       if (status != CAIRO_STATUS_SUCCESS) {
-        throw application_error(sstream() << "cairo_scaled_font_status()" << cairo_status_to_string(status));
+        throw application_error(sstream() << "cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs()" << cairo_status_to_string(status));
       }
 
       size_t bytes = 0;
@@ -201,18 +208,36 @@ namespace cairo {
         }
       }
 
-      if (bytes) {
+      if (bytes && bytes < text.size()) {
+        cairo_glyph_free(glyphs);
+        cairo_text_cluster_free(clusters);
+
         utf8 = text.substr(0, bytes);
-        cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs(
+        auto status = cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs(
             m_scaled, x, y, utf8.c_str(), utf8.size(), &glyphs, &nglyphs, &clusters, &nclusters, &cf);
-        cairo_show_text_glyphs(m_cairo, utf8.c_str(), utf8.size(), glyphs, nglyphs, clusters, nclusters, cf);
+
+        if (status != CAIRO_STATUS_SUCCESS) {
+          throw application_error(sstream() << "cairo_scaled_font_text_to_glyphs()" << cairo_status_to_string(status));
+        }
       }
 
+      if (bytes) {
+        cairo_text_extents_t extents{};
+        cairo_scaled_font_glyph_extents(m_scaled, glyphs, nglyphs, &extents);
+        cairo_show_text_glyphs(m_cairo, utf8.c_str(), utf8.size(), glyphs, nglyphs, clusters, nclusters, cf);
+        cairo_rel_move_to(m_cairo, extents.x_advance, 0.0);
+        // cairo_glyph_path(m_cairo, glyphs, nglyphs);
+        cairo_fill_preserve(m_cairo);
+      }
+
+      cairo_glyph_free(glyphs);
+      cairo_text_cluster_free(clusters);
+
       return bytes;
     }
 
     void textwidth(const string& text, cairo_text_extents_t* extents) override {
-      cairo_scaled_font_text_extents(cairo_scaled_font_reference(m_scaled), text.c_str(), extents);
+      cairo_scaled_font_text_extents(m_scaled, text.c_str(), extents);
     }
 
    protected:
diff --git a/include/cairo/types.hpp b/include/cairo/types.hpp
index 5313d986..d5dccbd1 100644
--- a/include/cairo/types.hpp
+++ b/include/cairo/types.hpp
@@ -4,10 +4,13 @@
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
+enum class alignment;
+
 namespace cairo {
   struct abspos {
     double x;
     double y;
+    bool clear{true};
   };
   struct relpos {
     double x;
@@ -37,9 +40,18 @@ namespace cairo {
     vector<unsigned int> steps;
   };
 
+  struct rounded_corners {
+    double x;
+    double y;
+    double w;
+    double h;
+    double radius;
+  };
+
   struct textblock {
+    alignment align;
     string contents;
-    unsigned char fontindex;
+    int fontindex;
   };
 }
 
diff --git a/include/components/types.hpp b/include/components/types.hpp
index 7e20696d..dc55c1e2 100644
--- a/include/components/types.hpp
+++ b/include/components/types.hpp
@@ -145,6 +145,7 @@ struct bar_settings {
 
   std::unordered_map<edge, border_settings, enum_hash> borders{};
 
+  double radius{0.0};
   int spacing{0};
   string separator{};
 
diff --git a/src/components/bar.cpp b/src/components/bar.cpp
index 843cbed2..ec2eb2fa 100644
--- a/src/components/bar.cpp
+++ b/src/components/bar.cpp
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ bar::bar(connection& conn, signal_emitter& emitter, const config& config, const
   m_opts.spacing = m_conf.get(bs, "spacing", m_opts.spacing);
   m_opts.separator = m_conf.get(bs, "separator", ""s);
   m_opts.locale = m_conf.get(bs, "locale", ""s);
+  m_opts.radius = m_conf.get(bs, "radius", m_opts.radius);
 
   try {
     auto padding = m_conf.get<decltype(m_opts.padding.left)>(bs, "module-padding");
diff --git a/src/components/renderer.cpp b/src/components/renderer.cpp
index 29a392f4..d7845d48 100644
--- a/src/components/renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/components/renderer.cpp
@@ -256,8 +256,8 @@ void renderer::flush() {
 /**
  * Reserve space at given edge
  */
-void renderer::reserve_space(edge side, unsigned short int w) {
-  m_log.trace_x("renderer: reserve_space(%i, %i)", static_cast<unsigned char>(side), w);
+void renderer::reserve_space(edge side, unsigned int w) {
+  m_log.trace_x("renderer: reserve_space(%i, %i)", static_cast<int>(side), w);
 
   m_cleararea.side = side;
   m_cleararea.size = w;
@@ -295,6 +295,16 @@ void renderer::fill_background() {
   m_context->save();
   *m_context << m_compositing_background;
 
+  if (m_bar.radius != 0.0) {
+    // clang-format off
+    *m_context << cairo::rounded_corners{
+        static_cast<double>(m_rect.x),
+        static_cast<double>(m_rect.y),
+        static_cast<double>(m_rect.width),
+        static_cast<double>(m_rect.height), m_bar.radius};
+    // clang-format on
+  }
+
   if (!m_bar.background_steps.empty()) {
     m_log.trace_x("renderer: gradient background (steps=%lu)", m_bar.background_steps.size());
     *m_context << cairo::linear_gradient{0.0, 0.0 + m_rect.y, 0.0, 0.0 + m_rect.height, m_bar.background_steps};
@@ -303,7 +313,12 @@ void renderer::fill_background() {
     *m_context << m_bar.background;
   }
 
-  m_context->paint();
+  if (m_bar.radius != 0.0) {
+    m_context->fill();
+  } else {
+    m_context->paint();
+  }
+
   m_context->restore();
 }
 
@@ -311,8 +326,8 @@ void renderer::fill_background() {
  * Fill overline color
  */
 void renderer::fill_overline(double x, double w) {
-  if (m_bar.overline.size && m_attributes.test(static_cast<unsigned char>(attribute::OVERLINE))) {
-    m_log.trace_x("renderer: overline(x=%i, w=%i)", x, w);
+  if (m_bar.overline.size && m_attributes.test(static_cast<int>(attribute::OVERLINE))) {
+    m_log.trace_x("renderer: overline(x=%f, w=%f)", x, w);
     m_context->save();
     *m_context << m_compositing_overline;
     *m_context << m_color_overline;
@@ -326,8 +341,8 @@ void renderer::fill_overline(double x, double w) {
  * Fill underline color
  */
 void renderer::fill_underline(double x, double w) {
-  if (m_bar.underline.size && m_attributes.test(static_cast<unsigned char>(attribute::UNDERLINE))) {
-    m_log.trace_x("renderer: underline(x=%i, w=%i)", x, w);
+  if (m_bar.underline.size && m_attributes.test(static_cast<int>(attribute::UNDERLINE))) {
+    m_log.trace_x("renderer: underline(x=%f, w=%f)", x, w);
     m_context->save();
     *m_context << m_compositing_underline;
     *m_context << m_color_underline;
@@ -382,21 +397,15 @@ void renderer::fill_borders() {
 void renderer::draw_text(const string& contents) {
   m_log.trace_x("renderer: text(%s)", contents.c_str());
 
-  cairo_text_extents_t extents;
-  cairo_text_extents(*m_context, contents.c_str(), &extents);
-
-  if (!extents.width) {
-    return;
-  }
-
   cairo::abspos origin{static_cast<double>(m_rect.x), static_cast<double>(m_rect.y)};
+  origin.y += m_rect.height / 2.0;
 
   if (m_alignment == alignment::CENTER) {
-    origin.x += m_rect.width / 2.0 - extents.width / 2.0;
-    adjust_clickable_areas(extents.width / 2.0);
+    origin.x += m_rect.width / 2.0;
+    // adjust_clickable_areas(extents.width / 2.0);
   } else if (m_alignment == alignment::RIGHT) {
-    origin.x += m_rect.width - extents.width;
-    adjust_clickable_areas(extents.width);
+    origin.x += m_rect.width;
+    // adjust_clickable_areas(extents.width);
   } else {
     origin.x += m_x;
   }
@@ -410,24 +419,16 @@ void renderer::draw_text(const string& contents) {
   //   m_context->restore();
   // }
 
-  origin.y += m_rect.height / 2.0;
-
   m_context->save();
   *m_context << origin;
   *m_context << m_compositing_foreground;
   *m_context << m_color_foreground;
-  *m_context << cairo::textblock{contents, m_fontindex};
+  *m_context << cairo::textblock{m_alignment, contents, m_fontindex};
   m_context->position(&m_x, &m_y);
   m_context->restore();
 
-  // if (m_alignment == alignment::CENTER) {
-  //   m_x += extents.width / 2.0;
-  // } else {
-  //   m_x += extents.width;
-  // }
-
-  // fill_underline(origin.x, m_x - origin.x);
-  // fill_overline(origin.x, m_x - origin.x);
+  fill_underline(origin.x, m_x - origin.x);
+  fill_overline(origin.x, m_x - origin.x);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -450,7 +451,7 @@ void renderer::highlight_clickable_areas() {
   map<alignment, int> hint_num{};
   for (auto&& action : m_actions) {
     if (!action.active) {
-      unsigned char n = hint_num.find(action.align)->second++;
+      int n = hint_num.find(action.align)->second++;
       double x = action.start_x + n * DEBUG_HINTS_OFFSET_X;
       double y = m_bar.pos.y + m_rect.y + n * DEBUG_HINTS_OFFSET_Y;
       double w = action.width();
@@ -513,27 +514,28 @@ bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::change_alignment& evt) {
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::offset_pixel& evt) {
-  m_x += evt.cast();
+  (void)evt;
+  // m_x += evt.cast();
   return true;
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::attribute_set& evt) {
-  m_attributes.set(static_cast<unsigned char>(evt.cast()), true);
+  m_attributes.set(static_cast<int>(evt.cast()), true);
   return true;
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::attribute_unset& evt) {
-  m_attributes.set(static_cast<unsigned char>(evt.cast()), false);
+  m_attributes.set(static_cast<int>(evt.cast()), false);
   return true;
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::attribute_toggle& evt) {
-  m_attributes.flip(static_cast<unsigned char>(evt.cast()));
+  m_attributes.flip(static_cast<int>(evt.cast()));
   return true;
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::action_begin& evt) {
-  (void) evt;
+  (void)evt;
   // auto a = evt.cast();
   // action_block action{};
   // action.button = a.button == mousebtn::NONE ? mousebtn::LEFT : a.button;
@@ -546,9 +548,9 @@ bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::action_begin& evt) {
 }
 
 bool renderer::on(const signals::parser::action_end& evt) {
-  (void) evt;
+  (void)evt;
   // auto btn = evt.cast();
-  // short int clickable_width = 0;
+  // int clickable_width = 0;
   // for (auto action = m_actions.rbegin(); action != m_actions.rend(); action++) {
   //   if (action->active && action->align == m_alignment && action->button == btn) {
   //     switch (action->align) {
diff --git a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
index a8d0467a..9075083f 100644
--- a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ void tray_client::reconfigure(int x, int y) const {
 /**
  * Respond to client resize requests
  */
-void tray_client::configure_notify(short int x, short int y) const {
+void tray_client::configure_notify(int x, int y) const {
   auto notify = memory_util::make_malloc_ptr<xcb_configure_notify_event_t, 32_z>();
   notify->response_type = XCB_CONFIGURE_NOTIFY;
   notify->event = m_window;