see automate your linux window manager for some ideas.... i found the c app works better, but it probably depends alot on which window manager you are using, what version, and platform

...in my limited experience... it works like this...... if you want full control over apps, you need to write the controls into the apps themselves for best results.... but if you want to control any app from the window manager level... wmctrl is probably the best bet so far.... system security makes it tricky to give too much control to the window manager.... so control is limited and may seem buggy.... what do you expect for free? :-)