diff --git a/compositor/src/shell_control.rs b/compositor/src/shell_control.rs
index 5be79d9..ab89ec2 100644
--- a/compositor/src/shell_control.rs
+++ b/compositor/src/shell_control.rs
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+use ferese_core::{OutputId, WorkspaceId};
 use ferese_layout::WindowId;
 use ferese_protocols::shell::v1::server::{
     ferese_shell_manager_v1::{self, FereseShellManagerV1},
@@ -91,6 +92,20 @@ impl Dispatch<FereseShellV1, ()> for Ferese {
                 join_id(window_hi, window_lo),
                 ShellWindowAction::Close,
             ),
+            ferese_shell_v1::Request::ActivateWorkspace {
+                workspace_hi,
+                workspace_lo,
+            } => {
+                let workspace = WorkspaceId(join_u64(workspace_hi, workspace_lo));
+
+                if !state.activate_managed_workspace(workspace) {
+                    send_request_failed(
+                        shell,
+                        ferese_shell_v1::FailedRequest::ActivateWorkspace,
+                        workspace.0,
+                    );
+                }
+            }
             ferese_shell_v1::Request::EnterOverview => state.set_overview_active(true),
             ferese_shell_v1::Request::ExitOverview => state.set_overview_active(false),
             ferese_shell_v1::Request::SelectOverviewWindow {
@@ -103,7 +118,7 @@ impl Dispatch<FereseShellV1, ()> for Ferese {
                     send_request_failed(
                         shell,
                         ferese_shell_v1::FailedRequest::SelectOverviewWindow,
-                        id,
+                        id.0,
                     );
                 }
             }
@@ -128,9 +143,40 @@ impl Ferese {
     fn send_shell_snapshot(&mut self, shell: &FereseShellV1) {
         self.shell_snapshot_serial = self.shell_snapshot_serial.wrapping_add(1);
         let serial = self.shell_snapshot_serial;
+        let outputs = self.output_snapshots();
+        let workspaces = self.workspace_snapshots();
         let snapshots = self.managed_window_snapshots();
 
         shell.snapshot_begin(serial);
+        for output in outputs {
+            let (output_hi, output_lo) = split_id(output.id.0);
+            let (workspace_hi, workspace_lo) = split_id(output.active_workspace.0);
+
+            shell.output(
+                output_hi,
+                output_lo,
+                output.name,
+                workspace_hi,
+                workspace_lo,
+                u32::from(output.focused),
+            );
+        }
+        for workspace in workspaces {
+            let (workspace_hi, workspace_lo) = split_id(workspace.id.0);
+            let (output_hi, output_lo) = workspace
+                .output
+                .map(|output| split_id(output.0))
+                .unwrap_or_default();
+
+            shell.workspace(
+                workspace_hi,
+                workspace_lo,
+                output_hi,
+                output_lo,
+                workspace.name,
+                u32::from(workspace.active),
+            );
+        }
         for snapshot in snapshots {
             let (window_hi, window_lo) = split_id(snapshot.id.0);
             let (workspace_hi, workspace_lo) = split_id(snapshot.workspace);
@@ -148,6 +194,48 @@ impl Ferese {
         shell.snapshot_end(serial);
     }
 
+    fn output_snapshots(&self) -> Vec<OutputSnapshot> {
+        let focused = self.output_workspaces.focused_output();
+        let mut outputs = self
+            .output_ids
+            .iter()
+            .filter_map(|(output, id)| {
+                Some(OutputSnapshot {
+                    id: *id,
+                    name: output.name(),
+                    active_workspace: self.output_workspaces.active_workspace(*id)?,
+                    focused: focused == Some(*id),
+                })
+            })
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        outputs.sort_by_key(|output| output.id.0);
+        outputs
+    }
+
+    fn workspace_snapshots(&self) -> Vec<WorkspaceSnapshot> {
+        let mut workspaces = self
+            .workspaces
+            .iter()
+            .map(|workspace| {
+                let output = self.output_workspaces.output_for_workspace(workspace.id);
+                let active = output.is_some_and(|output| {
+                    self.output_workspaces.active_workspace(output) == Some(workspace.id)
+                });
+
+                WorkspaceSnapshot {
+                    id: workspace.id,
+                    output,
+                    name: workspace.name.clone(),
+                    active,
+                }
+            })
+            .collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+        workspaces.sort_by_key(|workspace| workspace.id.0);
+        workspaces
+    }
+
     fn managed_window_snapshots(&self) -> Vec<ManagedWindowSnapshot> {
         let mut snapshots = self
             .window_ids
@@ -212,7 +300,7 @@ impl Ferese {
         };
 
         if !succeeded {
-            send_request_failed(shell, request, id);
+            send_request_failed(shell, request, id.0);
         }
     }
 
@@ -242,26 +330,40 @@ struct ManagedWindowSnapshot {
     state: ferese_shell_v1::WindowState,
 }
 
+struct OutputSnapshot {
+    id: OutputId,
+    name: String,
+    active_workspace: WorkspaceId,
+    focused: bool,
+}
+
+struct WorkspaceSnapshot {
+    id: WorkspaceId,
+    output: Option<OutputId>,
+    name: String,
+    active: bool,
+}
+
 fn split_id(id: u64) -> (u32, u32) {
     ((id >> 32) as u32, id as u32)
 }
 
 fn join_id(hi: u32, lo: u32) -> WindowId {
-    WindowId((u64::from(hi) << 32) | u64::from(lo))
+    WindowId(join_u64(hi, lo))
 }
 
-fn send_request_failed(
-    shell: &FereseShellV1,
-    request: ferese_shell_v1::FailedRequest,
-    id: WindowId,
-) {
-    let (window_hi, window_lo) = split_id(id.0);
+fn join_u64(hi: u32, lo: u32) -> u64 {
+    (u64::from(hi) << 32) | u64::from(lo)
+}
+
+fn send_request_failed(shell: &FereseShellV1, request: ferese_shell_v1::FailedRequest, id: u64) {
+    let (object_hi, object_lo) = split_id(id);
 
     shell.request_failed(
         request,
-        window_hi,
-        window_lo,
-        "unknown or unavailable managed window".to_owned(),
+        object_hi,
+        object_lo,
+        "unknown or unavailable shell object".to_owned(),
     );
 }
 
diff --git a/compositor/src/state.rs b/compositor/src/state.rs
index 21c38ca..bc03d9c 100644
--- a/compositor/src/state.rs
+++ b/compositor/src/state.rs
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ pub struct Ferese {
     pub space: Space<Window>,
     pub workspaces: WorkspaceSet,
     pub output_workspaces: OutputWorkspaceMap,
-    output_ids: HashMap<Output, OutputId>,
+    pub(crate) output_ids: HashMap<Output, OutputId>,
     output_identity_ids: HashMap<String, OutputId>,
     pub window_ids: HashMap<Window, WindowId>,
     pub window_geometry: HashMap<WindowId, WindowGeometry>,
@@ -239,18 +239,20 @@ impl Ferese {
             geometry.size.h,
         );
 
-        match self
+        let registration = self
             .output_workspaces
-            .connect(output_id, geometry, fallback_workspace)
-        {
+            .connect(output_id, geometry, fallback_workspace);
+
+        match registration {
             Ok(workspace) => {
                 self.output_ids.insert(output.clone(), output_id);
                 if self.output_workspaces.focused_output() == Some(output_id) {
                     self.activate_output_workspace(output_id, workspace);
                 }
+                self.send_shell_snapshots();
             }
             Err(error) => {
-                tracing::error!(%error, output = %output.name(), "failed to register output")
+                tracing::error!(%error, output = %output.name(), "failed to register output");
             }
         }
     }
@@ -1665,6 +1667,37 @@ impl Ferese {
         true
     }
 
+    pub(crate) fn activate_managed_workspace(&mut self, workspace: WorkspaceId) -> bool {
+        if self.workspaces.workspace(workspace).is_none() {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        let output = self
+            .output_workspaces
+            .output_for_workspace(workspace)
+            .or_else(|| self.output_workspaces.focused_output());
+        let Some(output) = output else {
+            return false;
+        };
+
+        if self
+            .output_workspaces
+            .output_for_workspace(workspace)
+            .is_none()
+            && self
+                .output_workspaces
+                .assign_workspace(output, workspace)
+                .is_err()
+        {
+            return false;
+        }
+
+        self.activate_output_workspace(output, workspace);
+        self.relayout();
+        self.restore_keyboard_focus();
+        true
+    }
+
     pub(crate) fn closing_visual(&self, id: WindowId) -> (f64, f32) {
         let Some(animation) = self.closing_windows.get(&id) else {
             return (1.0, 1.0);
diff --git a/crates/ferese-protocols/build.rs b/crates/ferese-protocols/build.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..da36b21
--- /dev/null
+++ b/crates/ferese-protocols/build.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+fn main() {
+    println!("cargo::rerun-if-changed=../../protocols/ferese-effects-v1.xml");
+    println!("cargo::rerun-if-changed=../../protocols/ferese-shell-v1.xml");
+}
diff --git a/protocols/ferese-shell-v1.xml b/protocols/ferese-shell-v1.xml
index 354aa80..36bf7b6 100644
--- a/protocols/ferese-shell-v1.xml
+++ b/protocols/ferese-shell-v1.xml
@@ -37,9 +37,9 @@
 
   <interface name="ferese_shell_v1" version="1">
     <description summary="managed-window metadata and shell control">
-      Window and workspace identifiers are unsigned 64-bit values encoded as
-      high and low 32-bit words. Each snapshot atomically replaces the prior
-      managed-window view after snapshot_end.
+      Window, workspace, and output identifiers are unsigned 64-bit values
+      encoded as high and low 32-bit words. Each snapshot atomically replaces
+      the prior shell view after snapshot_end.
     </description>
 
     <request name="activate_window">
@@ -52,6 +52,11 @@
       <arg name="window_lo" type="uint"/>
     </request>
 
+    <request name="activate_workspace">
+      <arg name="workspace_hi" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="workspace_lo" type="uint"/>
+    </request>
+
     <request name="enter_overview"/>
     <request name="exit_overview"/>
 
@@ -73,6 +78,7 @@
       <entry name="activate_window" value="0"/>
       <entry name="close_window" value="1"/>
       <entry name="select_overview_window" value="2"/>
+      <entry name="activate_workspace" value="3"/>
     </enum>
 
     <event name="snapshot_begin">
@@ -89,6 +95,24 @@
       <arg name="state" type="uint" enum="window_state"/>
     </event>
 
+    <event name="output">
+      <arg name="output_hi" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="output_lo" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="name" type="string"/>
+      <arg name="active_workspace_hi" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="active_workspace_lo" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="focused" type="uint" summary="one when this is the focused output"/>
+    </event>
+
+    <event name="workspace">
+      <arg name="workspace_hi" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="workspace_lo" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="output_hi" type="uint" summary="zero when the workspace has no output"/>
+      <arg name="output_lo" type="uint" summary="zero when the workspace has no output"/>
+      <arg name="name" type="string"/>
+      <arg name="active" type="uint" summary="one when visible on its output"/>
+    </event>
+
     <event name="snapshot_end">
       <arg name="serial" type="uint"/>
     </event>
@@ -99,8 +123,8 @@
 
     <event name="request_failed">
       <arg name="request" type="uint" enum="failed_request"/>
-      <arg name="window_hi" type="uint"/>
-      <arg name="window_lo" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="object_hi" type="uint"/>
+      <arg name="object_lo" type="uint"/>
       <arg name="reason" type="string"/>
     </event>
 
diff --git a/tools/ferese-shell-control-probe/src/main.rs b/tools/ferese-shell-control-probe/src/main.rs
index ce1c6c3..f9f26e9 100644
--- a/tools/ferese-shell-control-probe/src/main.rs
+++ b/tools/ferese-shell-control-probe/src/main.rs
@@ -53,8 +53,10 @@ fn main() -> Result<(), Box<dyn Error>> {
     }
 
     println!(
-        "PASS shell-control snapshot={} windows={} overview round-trip and stale-id rejection",
+        "PASS shell-control snapshot={} outputs={} workspaces={} windows={} overview round-trip and stale-id rejection",
         state.snapshot_serial.unwrap_or_default(),
+        state.output_count,
+        state.workspace_count,
         state.window_count
     );
     Ok(())
@@ -68,6 +70,8 @@ struct ProbeState {
     snapshot_serial: Option<u32>,
     snapshot_complete: bool,
     window_count: usize,
+    output_count: usize,
+    workspace_count: usize,
     overview_active: Option<bool>,
     overview_events: usize,
     invalid_window_rejected: bool,
@@ -77,6 +81,8 @@ impl ProbeState {
     fn initialized(&self) -> bool {
         self.capabilities == Some(1)
             && self.snapshot_complete
+            && self.output_count > 0
+            && self.workspace_count > 0
             && self.overview_active == Some(false)
     }
 }
@@ -122,10 +128,18 @@ impl Dispatch<FereseShellV1, ()> for ProbeState {
                 state.snapshot_serial = Some(serial);
                 state.snapshot_complete = false;
                 state.window_count = 0;
+                state.output_count = 0;
+                state.workspace_count = 0;
             }
             ferese_shell_v1::Event::Window { .. } => {
                 state.window_count += 1;
             }
+            ferese_shell_v1::Event::Output { .. } => {
+                state.output_count += 1;
+            }
+            ferese_shell_v1::Event::Workspace { .. } => {
+                state.workspace_count += 1;
+            }
             ferese_shell_v1::Event::SnapshotEnd { serial } => {
                 state.snapshot_complete = state.snapshot_serial == Some(serial);
             }
@@ -135,14 +149,14 @@ impl Dispatch<FereseShellV1, ()> for ProbeState {
             }
             ferese_shell_v1::Event::RequestFailed {
                 request,
-                window_hi,
-                window_lo,
+                object_hi,
+                object_lo,
                 ..
             } => {
                 state.invalid_window_rejected = request
                     == WEnum::Value(ferese_shell_v1::FailedRequest::ActivateWindow)
-                    && window_hi == u32::MAX
-                    && window_lo == u32::MAX;
+                    && object_hi == u32::MAX
+                    && object_lo == u32::MAX;
             }
             _ => {}
         }