diff --git a/src/compositor/compositor.c b/src/compositor/compositor.c
index 1576ce551..3b24a5e35 100644
--- a/src/compositor/compositor.c
+++ b/src/compositor/compositor.c
@@ -641,8 +641,13 @@ meta_compositor_switch_workspace (MetaCompositor     *compositor,
     meta_compositor_get_instance_private (compositor);
   gint to_indx, from_indx;
 
-  to_indx   = meta_workspace_index (to);
-  from_indx = meta_workspace_index (from);
+  if (direction == META_MOTION_CONTEXT_SWITCH) {
+    to_indx = meta_workspace_get_id (to);
+    from_indx = meta_workspace_get_id (from);
+  } else {
+    to_indx = meta_workspace_index (to);
+    from_indx = meta_workspace_index (from);
+  }
 
   priv->switch_workspace_in_progress++;
 
diff --git a/src/core/meta-workspace-manager-private.h b/src/core/meta-workspace-manager-private.h
index 261c4d47c..4b5d4f4e3 100644
--- a/src/core/meta-workspace-manager-private.h
+++ b/src/core/meta-workspace-manager-private.h
@@ -30,6 +30,36 @@
 #include "meta/types.h"
 #include "meta/meta-workspace-manager.h"
 
+//
+// Stores list of MetaWorkspaces and pointer to an active MetaWorkspace. When this context becomes
+// the current context, the workspace fields are swapped into the corresponding fields in 
+// MetaWorkspaceManager.
+//
+//
+struct _MetaWorkspaceContext
+{
+
+  GObject parent;
+  // Link back to MetaWorkspaceManager
+  MetaWorkspaceManager *manager;
+
+  // MetaWorkspace list belonging to this context. Copied to field with same name in
+  // MetaWorkspaceManager when this context is active. Any code which changes this list
+  // must make sure this context is not currently active in which case the list in
+  // MetaWorkspaceManager must be changed instead.
+  GList *workspaces;
+
+  // Active MetaWorkspace for this context. Also copied to workspace manager upon activation.
+  // The rule above about not writing if context is currently active also applies to this field.
+  MetaWorkspace *active_workspace;
+
+  // PID namespace
+  gchar *namespace;
+
+  // A unique ID value for this context.
+  guint id;
+};
+
 struct _MetaWorkspaceManager
 {
   GObject parent;
@@ -37,8 +67,21 @@ struct _MetaWorkspaceManager
   MetaDisplay *display;
   MetaWorkspace *active_workspace;
 
+  GList *all_workspaces;
   GList *workspaces;
 
+  // List of WorkspaceContext
+  GList *context_list;
+
+  gchar *mutter_namespace;
+
+  // Current active WorkspaceContext. MetaWorkspaceManager state (workspaces, active_workspace)
+  // will be saved here when a new WorkspaceContext is made active.
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *active_context;
+
+  // The next id value to allocate when creating a new WorkspaceContext
+  guint next_context_id;
+
   int rows_of_workspaces;
   int columns_of_workspaces;
   MetaDisplayCorner starting_corner;
@@ -93,4 +136,30 @@ void meta_workspace_manager_update_num_workspaces (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspa
                                                    guint32               timestamp,
                                                    int                   new_num);
 
+MetaWorkspaceContext *meta_workspace_context_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *manager, const char *namespace);
+
+void meta_workspace_context_make_active (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+MetaWorkspaceContext *meta_workspace_manager_lookup_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                             guint context_id);
+
+
+void meta_workspace_manager_append_context_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *manager,
+                                                      MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+
+void meta_workspace_manager_remove_context_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *manager,
+                                                      MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+
+int meta_workspace_manager_context_workspace_index (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                       MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+
+int meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                             MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+MetaWorkspace *
+meta_workspace_manager_lookup_workspace_by_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, int workspace_id);
+
+gboolean
+meta_workspace_manager_is_window_on_foreign_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWindow *window);
+
+
 #endif /* META_WORKSPACE_MANAGER_PRIVATE_H */
diff --git a/src/core/meta-workspace-manager.c b/src/core/meta-workspace-manager.c
index 0279ab23d..393ddf668 100644
--- a/src/core/meta-workspace-manager.c
+++ b/src/core/meta-workspace-manager.c
@@ -44,6 +44,9 @@ enum
   WORKSPACES_REORDERED,
   ACTIVE_WORKSPACE_CHANGED,
   SHOWING_DESKTOP_CHANGED,
+  CONTEXT_SWITCHED,
+  CONTEXT_WINDOW_MOVED,
+  CONTEXT_REMOVED,
   LAST_SIGNAL
 };
 
@@ -178,6 +181,29 @@ meta_workspace_manager_class_init (MetaWorkspaceManagerClass *klass)
                   0, NULL, NULL, NULL,
                   G_TYPE_NONE, 0);
 
+  workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_SWITCHED] =
+      g_signal_new ("context-switched",
+                    G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS (klass),
+                    G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
+                    0, NULL, NULL, NULL,
+                    G_TYPE_NONE, 0);
+
+  workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_WINDOW_MOVED] =
+      g_signal_new("context-window-moved",
+                   G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS(klass),
+                   G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
+                   0, NULL, NULL, NULL,
+                   G_TYPE_NONE, 1,
+                   META_TYPE_WINDOW);
+
+  workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_REMOVED] =
+      g_signal_new("context-removed",
+                   G_TYPE_FROM_CLASS(klass),
+                   G_SIGNAL_RUN_LAST,
+                   0, NULL, NULL, NULL,
+                   G_TYPE_NONE, 1,
+                   G_TYPE_INT);
+
   g_object_class_install_property (object_class,
                                    PROP_LAYOUT_COLUMNS,
                                    g_param_spec_int ("layout-columns",
@@ -201,6 +227,7 @@ meta_workspace_manager_class_init (MetaWorkspaceManagerClass *klass)
                                                      "Number of workspaces",
                                                      1, G_MAXINT, 1,
                                                      G_PARAM_READABLE));
+
 }
 
 static void
@@ -213,7 +240,7 @@ meta_workspace_manager_reload_work_areas (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manage
 {
   GList *l;
 
-  for (l = workspace_manager->workspaces; l; l = l->next)
+  for (l = workspace_manager->all_workspaces; l; l = l->next)
     {
       MetaWorkspace *workspace = l->data;
 
@@ -230,12 +257,24 @@ meta_workspace_manager_new (MetaDisplay *display)
 
   workspace_manager->display = display;
   workspace_manager->active_workspace = NULL;
+  workspace_manager->all_workspaces = NULL;
   workspace_manager->workspaces = NULL;
   workspace_manager->rows_of_workspaces = 1;
   workspace_manager->columns_of_workspaces = -1;
   workspace_manager->vertical_workspaces = FALSE;
   workspace_manager->starting_corner = META_DISPLAY_TOPLEFT;
 
+  workspace_manager->context_list = NULL;
+  workspace_manager->active_context = NULL;
+  workspace_manager->next_context_id = 1;
+  workspace_manager->mutter_namespace = meta_read_pid_namespace (getpid());
+
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *context = meta_workspace_context_new (workspace_manager, NULL);
+
+  workspace_manager->workspaces = g_steal_pointer (&context->workspaces);
+  workspace_manager->active_workspace = g_steal_pointer (&context->active_workspace);
+  workspace_manager->active_context = context;
+
   /* This is the default layout extracted from default
    * variable values in update_num_workspaces ()
    * This can be overridden using _NET_DESKTOP_LAYOUT in
@@ -246,11 +285,6 @@ meta_workspace_manager_new (MetaDisplay *display)
                                                   1,
                                                   -1);
 
-  /* There must be at least one workspace at all times,
-   * so create that required workspace.
-   */
-  meta_workspace_new (workspace_manager);
-
   meta_workspace_manager_init_workspaces (workspace_manager);
 
   meta_prefs_add_listener (prefs_changed_callback, workspace_manager);
@@ -301,6 +335,9 @@ MetaWorkspace *
 meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_by_index (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
                                                int                   idx)
 {
+  if ((idx >> 16) & 0xFFFF) {
+    return meta_workspace_manager_lookup_workspace_by_id (workspace_manager, idx);
+  }
   return g_list_nth_data (workspace_manager->workspaces, idx);
 }
 
@@ -1009,7 +1046,7 @@ meta_workspace_manager_unshow_desktop (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
 GList *
 meta_workspace_manager_get_workspaces (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
 {
-  return workspace_manager->workspaces;
+  return workspace_manager->all_workspaces;
 }
 
 int
@@ -1023,6 +1060,17 @@ meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace_index (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspa
   return meta_workspace_index (active);
 }
 
+int
+meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
+{
+  MetaWorkspace *active = workspace_manager->active_workspace;
+
+  if (!active)
+    return -1;
+
+  return meta_workspace_get_id (active);
+}
+
 /**
  * meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace:
  * @workspace_manager: A #MetaWorkspaceManager
@@ -1041,9 +1089,15 @@ meta_workspace_manager_workspace_switched (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manag
                                            int                   to,
                                            MetaMotionDirection   direction)
 {
-  g_signal_emit (workspace_manager,
-                 workspace_manager_signals[WORKSPACE_SWITCHED], 0,
-                 from, to, direction);
+  if (direction == META_MOTION_CONTEXT_SWITCH) {
+    g_signal_emit (workspace_manager,
+                   workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_SWITCHED],
+                   0, NULL);
+  } else {
+    g_signal_emit (workspace_manager,
+                   workspace_manager_signals[WORKSPACE_SWITCHED], 0,
+                   from, to, direction);
+  }
 }
 
 static void
@@ -1066,3 +1120,379 @@ prefs_changed_callback (MetaPreference pref,
                                                     timestamp, new_num);
     }
 }
+
+
+/**
+ * meta_workspace_manager_set_builtin_struts_all:
+ * @workspace_manager: a #MetaWorkspaceManager
+ * @struts: (element-type Meta.Strut) (transfer none): list of #MetaStrut
+ *
+ * Sets a list of struts on every workspace that will be used in addition to the struts
+ * of the windows in the workspace when computing the work area of
+ * the workspace.
+ */
+void meta_workspace_manager_set_builtin_struts_all(MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                   GSList               *struts)
+{
+  GList *context_iter = workspace_manager->context_list;
+  while (context_iter) {
+      MetaWorkspaceContext *context = context_iter->data;
+      for (GList *ws_iter = context->workspaces; ws_iter; ws_iter = ws_iter->next) {
+          MetaWorkspace *workspace = ws_iter->data;
+          meta_workspace_set_builtin_struts(workspace, struts);
+      }
+      context_iter = context_iter->next;
+  }
+}
+
+
+
+/**
+ * meta_workspace_manager_lookup_context:
+ * @workspace_manager: a #MetaWorkspaceManager
+ * @context_id: id value of context to look up
+ *
+ * Look up WorkspaceContext by id and return it. If no context is found with
+ * the specified id the return value is %NULL.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none) (nullable): the workspace context with the specified id
+ *   or %NULL if no context with matching id exists.
+ */
+MetaWorkspaceContext *
+meta_workspace_manager_lookup_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, guint context_id)
+{
+  for (GList *iter = workspace_manager->context_list; iter; iter = iter->next) {
+    MetaWorkspaceContext *context = iter->data;
+    if (context_id == context->id) {
+        return context;
+    }
+  }
+  return NULL;
+}
+
+const char *
+meta_workspace_manager_mutter_namespace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
+{
+  if (!workspace_manager->mutter_namespace) {
+    workspace_manager->mutter_namespace = meta_read_pid_namespace (getpid());
+  }
+  return workspace_manager->mutter_namespace;
+}
+
+/*
+ * Return pointer to the live workspace list depending on whether or not the context is currently active.
+ * While a workspace context is active, the list must be accessed through the pointer workspace_manager->workspaces
+ */
+GList **
+meta_workspace_manager_workspace_list_for_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, guint context_id)
+{
+  if (workspace_manager->active_context && workspace_manager->active_context->id == context_id) {
+    return &workspace_manager->workspaces;
+  }
+
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *context = meta_workspace_manager_lookup_context (workspace_manager, context_id);
+
+  if (context) {
+    return &context->workspaces;
+  } else {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: Failed to find context workspace list (context_id = %d)", context_id);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+}
+
+void
+meta_workspace_manager_append_context_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  GList **p_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_workspace_list_for_context (workspace_manager, workspace->context_id);
+  if (p_workspaces) {
+    *p_workspaces = g_list_append (*p_workspaces, workspace);
+  }
+}
+
+void
+meta_workspace_manager_remove_context_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  GList **p_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_workspace_list_for_context (workspace_manager, workspace->context_id);
+  if (p_workspaces) {
+    *p_workspaces = g_list_remove (*p_workspaces, workspace);
+  }
+  workspace_manager->all_workspaces = g_list_remove (workspace_manager->all_workspaces, workspace);
+}
+
+static int
+workspace_index_in_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  GList **p_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_workspace_list_for_context (workspace_manager, workspace->context_id);
+  if (p_workspaces) {
+    return g_list_index (*p_workspaces, workspace);
+  } else {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: Could not find context for id=%d in workspace_index_in_context()", workspace->context_id);
+    return -1;
+  }
+}
+
+int
+meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  int idx = workspace_index_in_context (workspace_manager, workspace);
+
+  if (idx >= 0) {
+    idx |= (int)(workspace->context_id << 16);
+  } else {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: Workspace with context_id = %d not found in meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_id()", workspace->context_id);
+  }
+  return idx;
+}
+
+int
+meta_workspace_manager_context_workspace_index (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+
+  if (!(workspace_manager->active_context && workspace_manager->active_context->id == workspace->context_id)) {
+    guint active = (workspace_manager->active_context) ? (workspace_manager->active_context->id) : 0;
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: context_workspace_index() called on workspace not in active context. (ws->context_id = %d, active->context_id=%d)",
+               workspace->context_id, active);
+  }
+
+  int idx = workspace_index_in_context (workspace_manager, workspace);
+  if (idx < 0) {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: Failed to find workspace with context_id=%d in context_workspace_index()",
+               workspace->context_id);
+  }
+  return idx;
+}
+
+MetaWorkspace *
+meta_workspace_manager_lookup_workspace_by_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, int workspace_id)
+{
+  uint context_id = (workspace_id >> 16) & 0xFFFF;
+  if (context_id) {
+    GList **p_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_workspace_list_for_context (workspace_manager, context_id);
+    int idx = workspace_id & 0xFFFF;
+    if (p_workspaces) {
+      return g_list_nth_data (*p_workspaces, idx);
+    }
+  }
+  return NULL;
+}
+
+/**
+ * meta_workspace_manager_context_for_namespace:
+ * @workspace_manager: a #MetaWorkspaceManager
+ * @namespace: namespace of context
+ *
+ * Find an existing WorkspaceContext for the specified namespace. If no WorkspaceContext
+ * currently exists for namespace create a new one.
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none): the workspace context for the specified namespace
+ */
+MetaWorkspaceContext *
+meta_workspace_manager_context_for_namespace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, const gchar *namespace)
+{
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *anonymous_context = NULL;
+
+  for (GList *iter = workspace_manager->context_list; iter; iter = iter->next) {
+    MetaWorkspaceContext *context = iter->data;
+    if (context->namespace == NULL && anonymous_context == NULL) {
+      anonymous_context = context;
+    } else if (!g_strcmp0 (context->namespace, namespace )) {
+      return context;
+    }
+  }
+
+  if (anonymous_context) {
+    anonymous_context->namespace = g_strdup (namespace);
+    return anonymous_context;
+  }
+
+  return meta_workspace_context_new (workspace_manager, namespace);
+}
+
+guint
+meta_workspace_manager_active_context_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
+{
+  if (workspace_manager->active_context) {
+    return workspace_manager->active_context->id;
+  } else {
+    return 0;
+  }
+}
+
+G_DEFINE_TYPE (MetaWorkspaceContext, meta_workspace_context, G_TYPE_OBJECT)
+
+guint
+meta_workspace_context_id (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  return context->id;
+}
+
+void
+meta_workspace_context_remove (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  if (meta_workspace_context_is_current (context)) {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceManager: attempt to remove active context ignored");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  for (GList *iter = context->workspaces; iter; iter = iter->next) {
+    MetaWorkspace *workspace = iter->data;
+    meta_workspace_relocate_windows (workspace, context->manager->active_workspace);
+  }
+  context->active_workspace = NULL;
+  g_list_free_full (g_steal_pointer(&context->workspaces), (GDestroyNotify) meta_workspace_remove);
+
+  g_signal_emit (context->manager, workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_REMOVED],
+                 0, context->id);
+
+  g_clear_pointer (&context->namespace, g_free);
+  context->manager->context_list = g_list_remove (context->manager->context_list, context);
+  g_object_unref (context);
+}
+
+static void
+meta_workspace_context_class_init (MetaWorkspaceContextClass *klass)
+{
+}
+
+static void
+meta_workspace_context_init (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+}
+
+MetaWorkspaceContext *
+meta_workspace_context_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *manager, const char *namespace)
+{
+  guint context_id = manager->next_context_id++;
+
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *context = g_object_new (META_TYPE_WORKSPACE_CONTEXT, NULL);
+
+  context->manager = manager;
+  context->workspaces = NULL;
+  context->active_workspace = NULL;
+  context->namespace = NULL;
+  context->id = context_id;
+
+  if (namespace) {
+    context->namespace = g_strdup (namespace);
+  }
+
+  manager->context_list = g_list_append (manager->context_list, context);
+
+  context->active_workspace = meta_workspace_new_with_context_id (manager, context_id);
+  g_object_notify (G_OBJECT (manager), "n-workspaces");
+
+  return context;
+}
+
+
+/*
+ * Synchronize the state stored in the MetaWorkspaceManager to 'context'
+ * by copying the relevant fields to the WorkspaceContext structure.
+ *
+ * The state which is saved is the list of workspaces and the active
+ * workspace pointer:
+ *
+ *     workspace_manager->active_workspace
+ *     workspace_manager->workspaces
+ */
+static void
+workspace_context_sync_manager_state (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  context->active_workspace = context->manager->active_workspace;
+  context->workspaces = context->manager->workspaces;
+}
+
+gboolean
+meta_workspace_context_is_current (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  return context && context->manager->active_context == context;
+}
+
+/**
+ * meta_workspace_context_get_active_workspace:
+ * @context: A #MetaWorkspaceContext
+ *
+ * Returns: (transfer none): The current workspace for this context
+ */
+MetaWorkspace *
+meta_workspace_context_get_active_workspace (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  if (meta_workspace_context_is_current (context)) {
+    return context->manager->active_workspace;
+  } else {
+    return context->active_workspace;
+  }
+}
+
+void
+meta_workspace_context_move_window_to_context (MetaWorkspaceContext *context, MetaWindow *window)
+{
+  if (!context->active_workspace) {
+    g_warning ("MetaWorkspaceContext: Cannot move window to context (%d) because no workspace is active", context->id);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  if (window->workspace->context_id != context->id) {
+    meta_window_change_workspace (window, context->active_workspace);
+    g_signal_emit (context->manager, workspace_manager_signals[CONTEXT_WINDOW_MOVED], 0, window);
+  }
+}
+
+
+void
+meta_workspace_context_make_active (MetaWorkspaceContext *context) {
+
+  MetaWorkspaceManager *manager = context->manager;
+
+  workspace_context_sync_manager_state (manager->active_context);
+
+  manager->active_context = context;
+
+  /*
+   * Do not update manager->active_workspace because meta_workspace_activate() expects
+   * old value
+   */
+
+  /* steal pointer to avoid writing code elsewhere that changes this list while context is active */
+  manager->workspaces = g_steal_pointer (&context->workspaces);
+}
+
+/*
+ * Activate a WorkspaceContext instance by copying the context state fields
+ * into the MetaWorkspaceManager structure.
+ *
+ * If 'context' is already the current WorkspaceContext do nothing.
+ *
+ * If some other context is active, save the context fields by calling
+ *
+ *     workspace_context_sync_manager_state()
+ */
+void
+meta_workspace_context_activate (MetaWorkspaceContext *context)
+{
+  if (meta_workspace_context_is_current (context)) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  meta_workspace_context_make_active (context);
+
+  guint32 timestamp;
+
+  timestamp = meta_display_get_current_time_roundtrip (context->manager->display);
+
+  /* Will set manager->active_workspace from context->active_workspace */
+  meta_workspace_activate ( g_steal_pointer (&context->active_workspace), timestamp);
+}
+
+gboolean
+meta_workspace_manager_is_window_on_foreign_context (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, MetaWindow *window)
+{
+  const char *ns = meta_window_namespace (window);
+
+  if (!ns || !g_strcmp0 (ns, workspace_manager->mutter_namespace) || !window->workspace) {
+    return FALSE;
+  }
+
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *context = meta_workspace_manager_context_for_namespace (workspace_manager, ns);
+  return context->id != window->workspace->context_id;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/util-private.h b/src/core/util-private.h
index ff9d7ce42..1c52fbc86 100644
--- a/src/core/util-private.h
+++ b/src/core/util-private.h
@@ -54,4 +54,6 @@ void meta_init_debug_utils (void);
    (ycoord) >= (rect).y &&                   \
    (ycoord) <  ((rect).y + (rect).height))
 
+char *   meta_read_pid_namespace (pid_t pid);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/core/util.c b/src/core/util.c
index 1f1048ca3..17bb7ccca 100644
--- a/src/core/util.c
+++ b/src/core/util.c
@@ -730,3 +730,51 @@ meta_get_debug_paint_flags (void)
 {
   return debug_paint_flags;
 }
+
+static GFileInfo *
+pid_namespace_file_info (pid_t pid)
+{
+  char *filename = g_strdup_printf("/proc/%u/ns/pid", pid);
+  GFile *file = g_file_new_for_path(filename);
+  g_free(filename);
+
+  GError *error = NULL;
+
+  GFileInfo *info = g_file_query_info(file,
+                                      G_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_STANDARD_IS_SYMLINK "," G_FILE_ATTRIBUTE_STANDARD_SYMLINK_TARGET,
+                                      G_FILE_QUERY_INFO_NOFOLLOW_SYMLINKS,
+                                      NULL,
+                                      &error);
+
+  g_object_unref(file);
+
+  if (info == NULL) {
+    g_warning("MetaWindow: Error attempting to read /proc/%u/ns/pid symlink:  %s", pid, error->message);
+    g_error_free (error);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+
+  if (!g_file_info_get_is_symlink (info)) {
+    g_warning("MetaWindow: /proc/%u/ns/pid exists but is not a symlink?", pid);
+    g_object_unref (info);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+
+  return info;
+
+}
+
+char *
+meta_read_pid_namespace (pid_t pid)
+{
+  char *value = NULL;
+  GFileInfo *info = pid_namespace_file_info (pid);
+  const char *target = g_file_info_get_symlink_target (info);
+
+  if (target) {
+    value = g_strdup (target);
+  }
+  g_object_unref (info);
+
+  return value;
+}
diff --git a/src/core/window-private.h b/src/core/window-private.h
index 8d2d4a020..7e6a02505 100644
--- a/src/core/window-private.h
+++ b/src/core/window-private.h
@@ -561,6 +561,9 @@ struct _MetaWindow
   gboolean has_valid_cgroup;
   GFile *cgroup_path;
 
+  guint namespace_set: 1;
+  gchar *namespace;
+
   unsigned int events_during_ping;
 };
 
diff --git a/src/core/window.c b/src/core/window.c
index e22bd5a0e..bcfc1ea17 100644
--- a/src/core/window.c
+++ b/src/core/window.c
@@ -327,6 +327,7 @@ meta_window_finalize (GObject *object)
   g_free (window->gtk_app_menu_object_path);
   g_free (window->gtk_menubar_object_path);
   g_free (window->placement.rule);
+  g_free (window->namespace);
 
   G_OBJECT_CLASS (meta_window_parent_class)->finalize (object);
 }
@@ -1554,7 +1555,7 @@ meta_window_unmanage (MetaWindow  *window,
   g_assert (window->workspace == NULL);
 
 #ifndef G_DISABLE_CHECKS
-  tmp = workspace_manager->workspaces;
+  tmp = workspace_manager->all_workspaces;
   while (tmp != NULL)
     {
       MetaWorkspace *workspace = tmp->data;
@@ -4606,7 +4607,7 @@ set_workspace_state (MetaWindow    *window,
   else if (window->on_all_workspaces)
     {
       GList *l;
-      for (l = workspace_manager->workspaces; l != NULL; l = l->next)
+      for (l = workspace_manager->all_workspaces; l != NULL; l = l->next)
         {
           MetaWorkspace *ws = l->data;
           meta_workspace_remove_window (ws, window);
@@ -4621,7 +4622,7 @@ set_workspace_state (MetaWindow    *window,
   else if (window->on_all_workspaces)
     {
       GList *l;
-      for (l = workspace_manager->workspaces; l != NULL; l = l->next)
+      for (l = workspace_manager->all_workspaces; l != NULL; l = l->next)
         {
           MetaWorkspace *ws = l->data;
           meta_workspace_add_window (ws, window);
@@ -4982,8 +4983,10 @@ meta_window_change_workspace_by_index (MetaWindow *window,
   workspace =
     meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_by_index (workspace_manager, space_index);
 
-  if (!workspace && append)
+  if (!workspace && append) {
     workspace = meta_workspace_manager_append_new_workspace (workspace_manager, FALSE, META_CURRENT_TIME);
+  }
+
 
   if (workspace)
     meta_window_change_workspace (window, workspace);
@@ -5265,7 +5268,7 @@ meta_window_get_workspaces (MetaWindow *window)
   MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager = window->display->workspace_manager;
 
   if (window->on_all_workspaces)
-    return workspace_manager->workspaces;
+    return workspace_manager->all_workspaces;
   else if (window->workspace != NULL)
     return window->workspace->list_containing_self;
   else if (window->constructing)
@@ -8603,3 +8606,31 @@ meta_window_calculate_bounds (MetaWindow *window,
       return FALSE;
     }
 }
+
+/**
+ * meta_window_namespace:
+ * @window: a #MetaWindow
+ *
+ * Returns string identifying PID namespace this window belongs to
+ * if known
+ *
+ * Return value: (transfer none): the pid namespace string, or %NULL
+ */
+const char *
+meta_window_namespace (MetaWindow *window)
+{
+  if (!window->namespace_set) {
+    window->namespace_set = TRUE;
+    pid_t pid = meta_window_get_pid (window);
+    if (pid) {
+      window->namespace = meta_read_pid_namespace (pid);
+    }
+  }
+  return window->namespace;
+}
+
+gboolean
+meta_window_is_on_foreign_workspace_context (MetaWindow *window)
+{
+  return meta_workspace_manager_is_window_on_foreign_context (window->display->workspace_manager, window);
+}
diff --git a/src/core/workspace-private.h b/src/core/workspace-private.h
index f0d896f6c..38c3b4c94 100644
--- a/src/core/workspace-private.h
+++ b/src/core/workspace-private.h
@@ -39,6 +39,7 @@ struct _MetaWorkspace
   GObject parent_instance;
   MetaDisplay *display;
   MetaWorkspaceManager *manager;
+  guint context_id;
 
   GList *windows;
 
@@ -74,6 +75,8 @@ struct _MetaWorkspaceClass
 };
 
 MetaWorkspace* meta_workspace_new           (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
+MetaWorkspace* meta_workspace_new_with_context_id   (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                     guint                 context_id);
 void           meta_workspace_remove        (MetaWorkspace *workspace);
 void           meta_workspace_add_window    (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
                                              MetaWindow    *window);
diff --git a/src/core/workspace.c b/src/core/workspace.c
index 3bd517fca..3819c836e 100644
--- a/src/core/workspace.c
+++ b/src/core/workspace.c
@@ -237,7 +237,7 @@ meta_workspace_init (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
 }
 
 MetaWorkspace *
-meta_workspace_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
+meta_workspace_new_with_context_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager, guint context_id)
 {
   MetaDisplay *display = workspace_manager->display;
   MetaWorkspace *workspace;
@@ -247,9 +247,11 @@ meta_workspace_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
 
   workspace->display = display;
   workspace->manager = workspace_manager;
+  workspace->context_id = context_id;
+
+  workspace_manager->all_workspaces =
+    g_list_append (workspace_manager->all_workspaces, workspace);
 
-  workspace_manager->workspaces =
-    g_list_append (workspace_manager->workspaces, workspace);
   workspace->windows = NULL;
   workspace->mru_list = NULL;
 
@@ -276,9 +278,17 @@ meta_workspace_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
       meta_workspace_add_window (workspace, l->data);
   g_slist_free (windows);
 
+  meta_workspace_manager_append_context_workspace (workspace_manager, workspace);
+
   return workspace;
 }
 
+MetaWorkspace *
+meta_workspace_new (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager)
+{
+  return meta_workspace_new_with_context_id (workspace_manager, workspace_manager->active_context->id);
+}
+
 /**
  * workspace_free_all_struts:
  * @workspace: The workspace.
@@ -333,8 +343,7 @@ meta_workspace_remove (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
 
   assert_workspace_empty (workspace);
 
-  manager->workspaces =
-    g_list_remove (manager->workspaces, workspace);
+  meta_workspace_manager_remove_context_workspace (manager, workspace);
 
   meta_workspace_clear_logical_monitor_data (workspace);
 
@@ -403,8 +412,8 @@ meta_workspace_add_window (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
   if (window->struts)
     {
       meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
-                  "Invalidating work area of workspace %d since we're adding window %s to it",
-                  meta_workspace_index (workspace), window->desc);
+                  "Invalidating work area of workspace %08x since we're adding window %s to it",
+                  meta_workspace_get_id (workspace), window->desc);
       meta_workspace_invalidate_work_area (workspace);
     }
 
@@ -432,8 +441,8 @@ meta_workspace_remove_window (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
   if (window->struts)
     {
       meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
-                  "Invalidating work area of workspace %d since we're removing window %s from it",
-                  meta_workspace_index (workspace), window->desc);
+                  "Invalidating work area of workspace %08x since we're removing window %s from it",
+                  meta_workspace_get_id (workspace), window->desc);
       meta_workspace_invalidate_work_area (workspace);
     }
 
@@ -486,6 +495,11 @@ workspace_switch_sound(MetaWorkspace *from,
   int i, nw, x, y, fi, ti;
   const char *e;
 
+  if (from->context_id != to->context_id) {
+    /* XXX: There is no sound for context switches, but there should be (?) */
+    return;
+  }
+
   nw = meta_workspace_manager_get_n_workspaces (from->manager);
   fi = meta_workspace_index(from);
   ti = meta_workspace_index(to);
@@ -566,9 +580,15 @@ meta_workspace_activate_with_focus (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
   MetaWorkspaceLayout layout1, layout2;
   gint num_workspaces, current_space, new_space;
   MetaMotionDirection direction;
+  MetaWorkspaceContext *context;
 
-  meta_verbose ("Activating workspace %d",
-                meta_workspace_index (workspace));
+  meta_verbose ("Activating workspace %08x",
+                meta_workspace_get_id (workspace));
+
+  context = meta_workspace_manager_lookup_context (workspace->manager, workspace->context_id);
+  if(context && !meta_workspace_context_is_current (context)) {
+    meta_workspace_context_make_active (context);
+  }
 
   if (workspace->manager->active_workspace == workspace)
     {
@@ -631,52 +651,59 @@ meta_workspace_activate_with_focus (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
    comp = meta_display_get_compositor (workspace->display);
    direction = 0;
 
-   current_space = meta_workspace_index (old);
-   new_space     = meta_workspace_index (workspace);
-   num_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_get_n_workspaces (workspace->manager);
-   meta_workspace_manager_calc_workspace_layout (workspace->manager, num_workspaces,
-                                                 current_space, &layout1);
 
-   meta_workspace_manager_calc_workspace_layout (workspace->manager, num_workspaces,
+   if (workspace->context_id != old->context_id) {
+     direction = META_MOTION_CONTEXT_SWITCH;
+     current_space = meta_workspace_get_id (old);
+     new_space     = meta_workspace_get_id (workspace);
+   } else {
+     current_space = meta_workspace_index (old);
+     new_space     = meta_workspace_index (workspace);
+     num_workspaces = meta_workspace_manager_get_n_workspaces (workspace->manager);
+     meta_workspace_manager_calc_workspace_layout (workspace->manager, num_workspaces,
+                                                   current_space, &layout1);
+
+     meta_workspace_manager_calc_workspace_layout (workspace->manager, num_workspaces,
                                                  new_space, &layout2);
 
-   if (meta_get_locale_direction () == META_LOCALE_DIRECTION_RTL)
-     {
-       if (layout1.current_col > layout2.current_col)
-         direction = META_MOTION_RIGHT;
-       else if (layout1.current_col < layout2.current_col)
-         direction = META_MOTION_LEFT;
-     }
-   else
-    {
-       if (layout1.current_col < layout2.current_col)
-         direction = META_MOTION_RIGHT;
-       else if (layout1.current_col > layout2.current_col)
-         direction = META_MOTION_LEFT;
-    }
+     if (meta_get_locale_direction () == META_LOCALE_DIRECTION_RTL)
+       {
+         if (layout1.current_col > layout2.current_col)
+           direction = META_MOTION_RIGHT;
+         else if (layout1.current_col < layout2.current_col)
+           direction = META_MOTION_LEFT;
+       }
+     else
+      {
+         if (layout1.current_col < layout2.current_col)
+           direction = META_MOTION_RIGHT;
+         else if (layout1.current_col > layout2.current_col)
+           direction = META_MOTION_LEFT;
+      }
 
-   if (layout1.current_row < layout2.current_row)
-     {
-       if (!direction)
-         direction = META_MOTION_DOWN;
-       else if (direction == META_MOTION_RIGHT)
-         direction = META_MOTION_DOWN_RIGHT;
-       else
-         direction = META_MOTION_DOWN_LEFT;
-     }
+     if (layout1.current_row < layout2.current_row)
+       {
+         if (!direction)
+           direction = META_MOTION_DOWN;
+         else if (direction == META_MOTION_RIGHT)
+           direction = META_MOTION_DOWN_RIGHT;
+         else
+           direction = META_MOTION_DOWN_LEFT;
+       }
 
-   if (layout1.current_row > layout2.current_row)
-     {
-       if (!direction)
-         direction = META_MOTION_UP;
-       else if (direction == META_MOTION_RIGHT)
-         direction = META_MOTION_UP_RIGHT;
-       else
-         direction = META_MOTION_UP_LEFT;
-     }
+     if (layout1.current_row > layout2.current_row)
+       {
+         if (!direction)
+           direction = META_MOTION_UP;
+         else if (direction == META_MOTION_RIGHT)
+           direction = META_MOTION_UP_RIGHT;
+         else
+           direction = META_MOTION_UP_LEFT;
+       }
 
-   meta_workspace_manager_free_workspace_layout (&layout1);
-   meta_workspace_manager_free_workspace_layout (&layout2);
+     meta_workspace_manager_free_workspace_layout (&layout1);
+     meta_workspace_manager_free_workspace_layout (&layout2);
+   }
 
    meta_compositor_switch_workspace (comp, old, workspace, direction);
 
@@ -714,12 +741,19 @@ meta_workspace_activate (MetaWorkspace *workspace,
 int
 meta_workspace_index (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
 {
-  int ret;
+  return meta_workspace_manager_context_workspace_index (workspace->manager, workspace);
+}
 
-  ret = g_list_index (workspace->manager->workspaces, workspace);
-  g_return_val_if_fail (ret >= 0, -1);
+int
+meta_workspace_get_id (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  return meta_workspace_manager_get_workspace_id (workspace->manager, workspace);
+}
 
-  return ret;
+guint
+meta_workspace_get_context_id (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
+{
+  return workspace->context_id;
 }
 
 void
@@ -776,14 +810,14 @@ meta_workspace_invalidate_work_area (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
   if (workspace->work_areas_invalid)
     {
       meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
-                  "Work area for workspace %d is already invalid",
-                  meta_workspace_index (workspace));
+                  "Work area for workspace %08x is already invalid",
+                  meta_workspace_get_id (workspace));
       return;
     }
 
   meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
-              "Invalidating work area for workspace %d",
-              meta_workspace_index (workspace));
+              "Invalidating work area for workspace %08x",
+              meta_workspace_get_id (workspace));
 
   /* If we are in the middle of a resize or move operation, we
    * might have cached pointers to the workspace's edges */
@@ -954,8 +988,8 @@ ensure_work_areas_validated (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
     }
   workspace->work_area_screen = work_area;
   meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
-              "Computed work area for workspace %d: %d,%d %d x %d",
-              meta_workspace_index (workspace),
+              "Computed work area for workspace %08x: %d,%d %d x %d",
+              meta_workspace_get_id (workspace),
               workspace->work_area_screen.x,
               workspace->work_area_screen.y,
               workspace->work_area_screen.width,
@@ -985,8 +1019,8 @@ ensure_work_areas_validated (MetaWorkspace *workspace)
 
       meta_topic (META_DEBUG_WORKAREA,
                   "Computed work area for workspace %d "
-                  "monitor %d: %d,%d %d x %d",
-                  meta_workspace_index (workspace),
+                  "monitor %08x: %d,%d %d x %d",
+                  meta_workspace_get_id (workspace),
                   logical_monitor->number,
                   data->logical_monitor_work_area.x,
                   data->logical_monitor_work_area.y,
@@ -1228,6 +1262,8 @@ meta_motion_direction_to_string (MetaMotionDirection direction)
       return "Up-Left";
     case META_MOTION_DOWN_LEFT:
       return "Down-Left";
+    case META_MOTION_CONTEXT_SWITCH:
+      return "Switch-Context";
     }
 
   return "Unknown";
diff --git a/src/meson.build b/src/meson.build
index 13a69c1a6..dc66332ef 100644
--- a/src/meson.build
+++ b/src/meson.build
@@ -1039,6 +1039,7 @@ libmutter = shared_library(libmutter_name,
 libmutter_dep = declare_dependency(
   link_with: libmutter,
   include_directories: mutter_includes,
+  sources: mutter_built_sources,
   dependencies: [
     libmutter_cogl_dep,
     libmutter_clutter_dep,
diff --git a/src/meta/common.h b/src/meta/common.h
index 2c516a70d..288e973f1 100644
--- a/src/meta/common.h
+++ b/src/meta/common.h
@@ -324,6 +324,7 @@ typedef enum
  * @META_MOTION_UP_RIGHT: Motion up and to the right
  * @META_MOTION_DOWN_LEFT: Motion down and to the left
  * @META_MOTION_DOWN_RIGHT: Motion down and to the right
+ * @META_MOTION_REALM_SWITCH: Workspace switch is a change of current realm
  */
 
 /* Negative to avoid conflicting with real workspace
@@ -339,7 +340,8 @@ typedef enum
   META_MOTION_UP_LEFT = -5,
   META_MOTION_UP_RIGHT = -6,
   META_MOTION_DOWN_LEFT = -7,
-  META_MOTION_DOWN_RIGHT = -8
+  META_MOTION_DOWN_RIGHT = -8,
+  META_MOTION_CONTEXT_SWITCH = -9
 } MetaMotionDirection;
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/meta/meta-workspace-manager.h b/src/meta/meta-workspace-manager.h
index 92cd68191..d00948da7 100644
--- a/src/meta/meta-workspace-manager.h
+++ b/src/meta/meta-workspace-manager.h
@@ -30,6 +30,14 @@
 #include <meta/prefs.h>
 #include <meta/types.h>
 
+#define META_TYPE_WORKSPACE_CONTEXT (meta_workspace_context_get_type ())
+
+META_EXPORT
+G_DECLARE_FINAL_TYPE (MetaWorkspaceContext,
+                      meta_workspace_context,
+                      META, WORKSPACE_CONTEXT,
+                      GObject)
+
 #define META_TYPE_WORKSPACE_MANAGER (meta_workspace_manager_get_type ())
 
 META_EXPORT
@@ -66,6 +74,9 @@ void meta_workspace_manager_reorder_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_m
 META_EXPORT
 int meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace_index (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
 
+META_EXPORT
+int meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
+
 META_EXPORT
 MetaWorkspace *meta_workspace_manager_get_active_workspace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
 
@@ -75,4 +86,37 @@ void meta_workspace_manager_override_workspace_layout (MetaWorkspaceManager *wor
                                                        gboolean              vertical_layout,
                                                        int                   n_rows,
                                                        int                   n_columns);
+META_EXPORT
+guint meta_workspace_manager_active_context_id (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
+
+META_EXPORT
+void meta_workspace_manager_set_builtin_struts_all(MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                   GSList               *struts);
+
+META_EXPORT
+MetaWorkspaceContext *meta_workspace_manager_context_for_namespace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager,
+                                                                    const gchar *namespace);
+
+META_EXPORT
+const char *meta_workspace_manager_mutter_namespace (MetaWorkspaceManager *workspace_manager);
+
+META_EXPORT
+void meta_workspace_context_activate (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+META_EXPORT
+void meta_workspace_context_remove (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+META_EXPORT
+gboolean meta_workspace_context_is_current (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+META_EXPORT
+MetaWorkspace *
+meta_workspace_context_get_active_workspace (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+META_EXPORT
+guint meta_workspace_context_id (MetaWorkspaceContext *context);
+
+META_EXPORT
+void meta_workspace_context_move_window_to_context (MetaWorkspaceContext *context, MetaWindow *window);
+
 #endif /* META_WORKSPACE_MANAGER_H */
diff --git a/src/meta/types.h b/src/meta/types.h
index ba6fa02be..ca6a44fae 100644
--- a/src/meta/types.h
+++ b/src/meta/types.h
@@ -44,6 +44,7 @@ typedef struct _MetaCursorTracker MetaCursorTracker;
 typedef struct _MetaDnd         MetaDnd;
 typedef struct _MetaSettings    MetaSettings;
 
+typedef struct _MetaWorkspaceContext MetaWorkspaceContext;
 typedef struct _MetaWorkspaceManager MetaWorkspaceManager;
 typedef struct _MetaSelection   MetaSelection;
 
diff --git a/src/meta/window.h b/src/meta/window.h
index d5d07a061..87dd1655e 100644
--- a/src/meta/window.h
+++ b/src/meta/window.h
@@ -453,4 +453,10 @@ uint64_t meta_window_get_id (MetaWindow *window);
 META_EXPORT
 MetaWindowClientType meta_window_get_client_type (MetaWindow *window);
 
+META_EXPORT
+const char *meta_window_namespace (MetaWindow *window);
+
+META_EXPORT
+gboolean meta_window_is_on_foreign_workspace_context (MetaWindow *window);
+
 #endif
diff --git a/src/meta/workspace.h b/src/meta/workspace.h
index 99aebee5d..4b94cff18 100644
--- a/src/meta/workspace.h
+++ b/src/meta/workspace.h
@@ -39,6 +39,12 @@ GType meta_workspace_get_type (void);
 META_EXPORT
 int  meta_workspace_index (MetaWorkspace *workspace);
 
+META_EXPORT
+int meta_workspace_get_id (MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+
+META_EXPORT
+guint meta_workspace_get_context_id (MetaWorkspace *workspace);
+
 META_EXPORT
 MetaDisplay *meta_workspace_get_display (MetaWorkspace *workspace);