OpenXR Spatial Containers add cross-platform spatial windowing for XR multitasking
Khronos has ratified and published OpenXR extensions that let XR applications create system-managed spatial containers for multitasking, with implementations expected across the ecosystem during 2026.
Summary
The Khronos OpenXR Working Group has released two ratified extensions—XR_EXT_spatial_container and XR_EXT_spatial_container_self_rendering—that define a standardized spatial windowing API for XR. Spatial containers let applications switch between bounded multitasking windows and full-screen immersive modes, with position controlled by the runtime. The extensions resulted from 18 months of collaboration among runtime and engine vendors including Google, Meta, PICO, Collabora, Godot, Unity, and Varjo.
What the spatial container extensions specify
- XR_EXT_spatial_container: core functionality for apps to create and manage spatial containers
- XR_EXT_spatial_container_self_rendering: allows apps to render into containers using OpenXR composition layers
- Containers support two modes: bounded (for multitasking alongside other apps) and immersive (full-screen)
- Container position is runtime-controlled, enabling stationary placement or following the user on-the-go
- Individual containers can be shown, hidden, or selected for input like traditional OS windows
- A system-provided renderer extension is in development for hardware-optimized rendering across device tiers
Why it matters
The extensions address a gap in OpenXR by enabling multi-application spatial computing without proprietary APIs, with major vendors already committed to implementation. This could reduce fragmentation as XR devices shift from isolated immersive apps toward everyday multitasking use cases.
Original reference: www.khronos.org →