A simple Python script to create an empty workspace in i3 using the next available number.

new_empty_workspace.py

"""
Creates a new i3 workspace with a number one greater than the last numbered workspace. If there are no numbered workspaces, uses 1.
"""
from i3ipc import Connection


def workspace_name_to_int(name):
    digits = "".join([
        d for d in name if d.isdigit()
    ])

    if digits:
        return int(digits)
    else:
        return 0


def get_workspace_numbers(i3_con):
    workspaces = i3_con.get_workspaces()
    return [
        workspace_name_to_int(w.name) for w in workspaces
    ]


def get_next_available_workspace_number(i3_con):
    current_workspace_numbers = get_workspace_numbers(i3_con)
    sorted_workspace_numbers = sorted(current_workspace_numbers)
    return sorted_workspace_numbers[-1] + 1


def create_workspace(i3_con, number):
    i3_con.command("workspace {}".format(number))


if __name__ == "__main__":
    i3_con = Connection()
    next_workspace_number = get_next_available_workspace_number(i3_con)
    create_workspace(i3_con, next_workspace_number)