diff --git a/.valgrind-suppressions b/.valgrind-suppressions
index 5d83a045e..6d33fd43f 100644
--- a/.valgrind-suppressions
+++ b/.valgrind-suppressions
@@ -20,13 +20,13 @@
    Memcheck:Leak
    match-leak-kinds: definite
    fun:malloc
-   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.1.9.2
-   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.1.9.2
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.*
    fun:FcPatternAddDouble
-   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.2.3.2
-   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.2.3.2
-   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.2.3.2
-   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.2.3.2
+   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libXft.so.*
    fun:XftDefaultHasRender
    fun:XftDefaultSubstitute
    fun:XftFontMatch
@@ -54,8 +54,8 @@
    Memcheck:Leak
    match-leak-kinds: definite
    fun:realloc
-   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.1.9.2
-   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.1.9.2
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfontconfig.so.*
    fun:FcFontRenderPrepare
    fun:FcFontMatch
    fun:XftFontMatch
@@ -71,15 +71,31 @@
    Memcheck:Leak
    match-leak-kinds: definite
    fun:realloc
-   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.6.3.0
-   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.6.3.0
-   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.6.3.0
+   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.*
    fun:_XlcCreateLC
    fun:_XlcDefaultLoader
    fun:_XOpenLC
    fun:_XrmInitParseInfo
-   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.6.3.0
+   obj:/usr/lib/libX11.so.*
    fun:XrmGetStringDatabase
    ...
    ...
 }
+{
+   xft conditional jump
+   Memcheck:Cond
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   fun:FT_Outline_Decompose
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   obj:/usr/lib/libfreetype.so.*
+   fun:XftFontLoadGlyphs
+   fun:XftGlyphExtents
+   ...
+   ...
+}
diff --git a/include/utils/color.hpp b/include/utils/color.hpp
index ab826b226..72090adfd 100644
--- a/include/utils/color.hpp
+++ b/include/utils/color.hpp
@@ -4,7 +4,6 @@
 
 #include "common.hpp"
 #include "utils/string.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
diff --git a/include/x11/connection.hpp b/include/x11/connection.hpp
index f83cdc89b..1d72258a6 100644
--- a/include/x11/connection.hpp
+++ b/include/x11/connection.hpp
@@ -1,5 +1,8 @@
 #pragma once
 
+#include <X11/X.h>
+#include <X11/Xlib-xcb.h>
+#include <X11/Xutil.h>
 #include <cstdlib>
 #include <xpp/core.hpp>
 #include <xpp/generic/factory.hpp>
@@ -15,6 +18,19 @@
 POLYBAR_NS
 
 namespace detail {
+  class displaylock {
+   public:
+    explicit displaylock(Display* display) : m_display(forward<decltype(display)>(display)) {
+      XLockDisplay(m_display);
+    }
+    ~displaylock() {
+      XUnlockDisplay(m_display);
+    }
+
+   protected:
+    Display* m_display;
+  };
+
   template <typename Connection, typename... Extensions>
   class interfaces : public xpp::x::extension::interface<interfaces<Connection, Extensions...>, Connection>,
                      public Extensions::template interface<interfaces<Connection, Extensions...>, Connection>... {
@@ -44,10 +60,6 @@ namespace detail {
 
     virtual ~connection_base() {}
 
-    const Derived& operator=(const Derived& o) {
-      return o;
-    }
-
     void operator()(const shared_ptr<xcb_generic_error_t>& error) const {
       check<xpp::x::extension, Extensions...>(error);
     }
@@ -59,7 +71,7 @@ namespace detail {
 
     template <typename WindowType = xcb_window_t>
     WindowType root() const {
-      using make = xpp::generic::factory::make<Derived, xcb_window_t, WindowType>;
+      using make = xpp::generic::factory::make<connection_base, xcb_window_t, WindowType>;
       return make()(*this, m_root_window);
     }
 
@@ -102,32 +114,32 @@ namespace detail {
 class connection : public detail::connection_base<connection&, XPP_EXTENSION_LIST> {
  public:
   using base_type = detail::connection_base<connection&, XPP_EXTENSION_LIST>;
+
   using make_type = connection&;
-  static make_type make(xcb_connection_t* conn = nullptr);
+  static make_type make(Display* display = nullptr);
 
-  template <typename... Args>
-  explicit connection(Args&&... args) : base_type(forward<Args>(args)...) {}
+  explicit connection(Display* dsp);
+  ~connection();
 
   const connection& operator=(const connection& o) {
     return o;
   }
 
-  // operator Display*() const;
-
-  void preload_atoms();
+  static void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const uint32_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
+  static void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_cw_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
+  static void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_gc_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
+  static void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_configure_window_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
 
-  void query_extensions();
+  operator Display*() const;
+  Visual* visual(uint8_t depth = 32U);
+  xcb_screen_t* screen(bool realloc = false);
 
   string id(xcb_window_t w) const;
 
-  xcb_screen_t* screen(bool realloc = false);
-
   void ensure_event_mask(xcb_window_t win, uint32_t event);
-
   void clear_event_mask(xcb_window_t win);
 
   shared_ptr<xcb_client_message_event_t> make_client_message(xcb_atom_t type, xcb_window_t target) const;
-
   void send_client_message(const shared_ptr<xcb_client_message_event_t>& message, xcb_window_t target,
       uint32_t event_mask = 0xFFFFFF, bool propagate = false) const;
 
@@ -169,6 +181,8 @@ class connection : public detail::connection_base<connection&, XPP_EXTENSION_LIS
   }
 
  protected:
+  Display* m_display{nullptr};
+  map<uint8_t, Visual*> m_visual;
   registry m_registry{*this};
   xcb_screen_t* m_screen{nullptr};
 };
diff --git a/include/x11/fonts.hpp b/include/x11/fonts.hpp
index 69e86ad6c..fbf32bee6 100644
--- a/include/x11/fonts.hpp
+++ b/include/x11/fonts.hpp
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class font_manager {
   using make_type = unique_ptr<font_manager>;
   static make_type make();
 
-  explicit font_manager(connection& conn, const logger& logger, Display* dsp, Visual* vis, Colormap&& cm);
+  explicit font_manager(connection& conn, const logger& logger);
   ~font_manager();
 
   font_manager(const font_manager& o) = delete;
diff --git a/include/x11/window.hpp b/include/x11/window.hpp
index 87ba21491..586a8fb45 100644
--- a/include/x11/window.hpp
+++ b/include/x11/window.hpp
@@ -27,6 +27,8 @@ class window : public xpp::window<connection&> {
   window reconfigure_struts(uint16_t w, uint16_t h, int16_t x, bool bottom = false);
 
   void redraw();
+
+  void visibility_notify(xcb_visibility_t state);
 };
 
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/include/x11/xlib.hpp b/include/x11/xlib.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 2644095aa..000000000
--- a/include/x11/xlib.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,30 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include <X11/Xutil.h>
-
-#include "common.hpp"
-
-POLYBAR_NS
-
-namespace xlib {
-  namespace detail {
-    /**
-     * RAII wrapper for Xlib display locking
-     */
-    class display_lock {
-     public:
-      explicit display_lock(Display* display);
-      ~display_lock();
-
-     protected:
-      Display* m_display;
-    };
-  }
-
-  Display* get_display();
-  Visual* get_visual(int screen = 0, uint8_t depth = 32);
-  Colormap create_colormap(int screen = 0);
-  inline auto make_display_lock();
-}
-
-POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/include/x11/xutils.hpp b/include/x11/xutils.hpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 790d8a66b..000000000
--- a/include/x11/xutils.hpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,32 +0,0 @@
-#pragma once
-
-#include <X11/Xlib-xcb.h>
-#include <xcb/xcb_util.h>
-
-#include "common.hpp"
-
-POLYBAR_NS
-
-class connection;
-class config;
-
-namespace xutils {
-  struct xcb_connection_deleter {
-    void operator()(xcb_connection_t* c) {
-      xcb_disconnect(c);
-    }
-  };
-
-  xcb_connection_t* get_connection();
-
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const uint32_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_cw_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_gc_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_configure_window_t* src, uint32_t* dest);
-
-  void visibility_notify(connection& conn, const xcb_window_t& win, xcb_visibility_t state);
-
-  void compton_shadow_exclude(connection& conn, const xcb_window_t& win);
-}
-
-POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/components/bar.cpp b/src/components/bar.cpp
index ffba28d1a..55d33256c 100644
--- a/src/components/bar.cpp
+++ b/src/components/bar.cpp
@@ -20,7 +20,6 @@
 #include "x11/extensions/all.hpp"
 #include "x11/tray_manager.hpp"
 #include "x11/wm.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 #if ENABLE_I3
 #include "utils/i3.hpp"
@@ -712,7 +711,7 @@ bool bar::on(const sig_ui::tick&) {
     params.y = std::max(params.y, static_cast<int32_t>(m_opts.shade_pos.y));
   }
 
-  xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+  connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
 
   m_connection.configure_window(m_opts.window, mask, values);
   m_connection.flush();
diff --git a/src/components/renderer.cpp b/src/components/renderer.cpp
index b08a81622..1580c7fe7 100644
--- a/src/components/renderer.cpp
+++ b/src/components/renderer.cpp
@@ -9,8 +9,6 @@
 #include "x11/extensions/all.hpp"
 #include "x11/generic.hpp"
 #include "x11/winspec.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -58,7 +56,7 @@ renderer::renderer(connection& conn, signal_emitter& emitter, const logger& logg
 
     m_depth = 24;
 
-    m_fontmanager->set_visual(xlib::get_visual(m_connection.default_screen(), m_depth));
+    m_fontmanager->set_visual(m_connection.visual(m_depth));
   }
 
   m_log.trace("renderer: Allocate colormap");
@@ -112,7 +110,7 @@ renderer::renderer(connection& conn, signal_emitter& emitter, const logger& logg
       xcb_params_gc_t params{};
       XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, foreground, colors[i]);
       XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, graphics_exposures, 0);
-      xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, value_list);
+      connection::pack_values(mask, &params, value_list);
 
       m_colors.emplace(gc(i), colors[i]);
       m_gcontexts.emplace(gc(i), m_connection.generate_id());
@@ -524,7 +522,8 @@ void renderer::debug_hints() {
       ;
     // clang-format on
 
-    xutils::compton_shadow_exclude(m_connection, hintwin);
+    const uint32_t shadow{0};
+    m_connection.change_property(XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, hintwin, _COMPTON_SHADOW, XCB_ATOM_CARDINAL, 32, 1, &shadow);
     m_connection.map_window(hintwin);
   }
 }
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 58474b854..08c94ccfb 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -16,7 +16,6 @@
 #include "utils/process.hpp"
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/tray_manager.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 using namespace polybar;
 
@@ -71,18 +70,14 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
     // Connect to X server
     //==================================================
     XInitThreads();
+    Display* xdisplay{XOpenDisplay(nullptr)};
 
-    // Store the xcb connection pointer with a disconnect deleter
-    unique_ptr<xcb_connection_t, xutils::xcb_connection_deleter> xcbconn{xutils::get_connection()};
-
-    if (!xcbconn) {
+    if (xdisplay == nullptr) {
       logger.err("A connection to X could not be established... ");
       return EXIT_FAILURE;
     }
 
-    connection& conn{connection::make(&*xcbconn)};
-    conn.preload_atoms();
-    conn.query_extensions();
+    connection& conn{connection::make(xdisplay)};
     conn.ensure_event_mask(conn.root(), XCB_EVENT_MASK_PROPERTY_CHANGE);
 
     //==================================================
diff --git a/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp b/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
index 5ad375aa9..20a9bb91b 100644
--- a/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 #include "utils/math.hpp"
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/graphics.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 #include "modules/meta/base.inl"
 
diff --git a/src/x11/color.cpp b/src/x11/color.cpp
index 38eb15715..94adc29d9 100644
--- a/src/x11/color.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/color.cpp
@@ -20,14 +20,7 @@ color::color(string hex) : m_source(hex) {
   }
 
   m_value = std::strtoul(&hex[1], nullptr, 16);
-
-  // Premultiply alpha
-  auto a = color_util::alpha_channel(m_value);
-  auto r = color_util::red_channel(m_value) * a / 255;
-  auto g = color_util::green_channel(m_value) * a / 255;
-  auto b = color_util::blue_channel(m_value) * a / 255;
-
-  m_color = (a << 24) | (r << 16) | (g << 8) | b;
+  m_color = color_util::premultiply_alpha(m_value);
 }
 
 string color::source() const {
diff --git a/src/x11/connection.cpp b/src/x11/connection.cpp
index aae3e943b..583511856 100644
--- a/src/x11/connection.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/connection.cpp
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
+#include <algorithm>
 #include <iomanip>
 
 #include "errors.hpp"
@@ -6,28 +7,22 @@
 #include "utils/string.hpp"
 #include "x11/atoms.hpp"
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
 /**
  * Create instance
  */
-connection::make_type connection::make(xcb_connection_t* conn) {
-  if (conn == nullptr) {
-    conn = xutils::get_connection();
-  }
-  // return static_cast<connection::make_type>(*factory_util::singleton<std::remove_reference_t<connection::make_type>>(
-  //     conn, file_util::make_file_descriptor(xcb_get_file_descriptor(conn))));
+connection::make_type connection::make(Display* display) {
   return static_cast<connection::make_type>(
-      *factory_util::singleton<std::remove_reference_t<connection::make_type>>(conn));
+      *factory_util::singleton<std::remove_reference_t<connection::make_type>>(display));
 }
 
-/**
- * Preload required xcb atoms
- */
-void connection::preload_atoms() {
+connection::connection(Display* dsp) : base_type(XGetXCBConnection(dsp)), m_display(dsp) {
+  XSetEventQueueOwner(m_display, XCBOwnsEventQueue);
+
+  // Preload required xcb atoms {{{
+
   vector<xcb_intern_atom_cookie_t> cookies(memory_util::countof(ATOMS));
   xcb_intern_atom_reply_t* reply{nullptr};
 
@@ -42,12 +37,9 @@ void connection::preload_atoms() {
 
     free(reply);
   }
-}
 
-/**
- * Query for X extensions
- */
-void connection::query_extensions() {
+// }}}
+// Query for X extensions {{{
 #if WITH_XDAMAGE
   damage_util::query_extension(*this);
 #endif
@@ -66,6 +58,45 @@ void connection::query_extensions() {
 #if WITH_XKB
   xkb_util::query_extension(*this);
 #endif
+  // }}}
+}
+
+connection::~connection() {
+  disconnect();
+  std::for_each(m_visual.begin(), m_visual.end(), [=](pair<uint8_t, Visual*> p) { XFree(p.second); });
+  m_visual.clear();
+}
+
+void connection::pack_values(uint32_t mask, const uint32_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
+  for (; mask; mask >>= 1, src++) {
+    if (mask & 1) {
+      *dest++ = *src;
+    }
+  }
+}
+void connection::pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_cw_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
+  pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
+}
+void connection::pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_gc_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
+  pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
+}
+void connection::pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_configure_window_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
+  pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
+}
+
+connection::operator Display*() const {
+  return m_display;
+}
+
+Visual* connection::visual(uint8_t depth) {
+  auto visual_it = m_visual.find(depth);
+  if (visual_it == m_visual.end()) {
+    XVisualInfo info{};
+    if (XMatchVisualInfo(*this, default_screen(), depth, TrueColor, &info)) {
+      visual_it = m_visual.emplace_hint(visual_it, depth, info.visual);
+    }
+  }
+  return visual_it->second;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -184,8 +215,4 @@ void connection::dispatch_event(const shared_ptr<xcb_generic_event_t>& evt) cons
   m_registry.dispatch(evt);
 }
 
-// connection::operator Display*() const {
-//   return xlib::get_display();
-// }
-
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/x11/ewmh.cpp b/src/x11/ewmh.cpp
index 2147b8d6a..e6b4fe349 100644
--- a/src/x11/ewmh.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/ewmh.cpp
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 #include "x11/ewmh.hpp"
 #include "components/types.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
+#include "x11/connection.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -10,8 +10,7 @@ namespace ewmh_util {
     if (!g_connection) {
       g_connection = memory_util::make_malloc_ptr<xcb_ewmh_connection_t>(
           [=](xcb_ewmh_connection_t* c) { xcb_ewmh_connection_wipe(c); });
-      xcb_ewmh_init_atoms_replies(
-          &*g_connection, xcb_ewmh_init_atoms(xutils::get_connection(), &*g_connection), nullptr);
+      xcb_ewmh_init_atoms_replies(&*g_connection, xcb_ewmh_init_atoms(connection::make(), &*g_connection), nullptr);
     }
     return g_connection;
   }
diff --git a/src/x11/fonts.cpp b/src/x11/fonts.cpp
index ac597aa37..ac8793068 100644
--- a/src/x11/fonts.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/fonts.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,3 @@
-#include <X11/Xlib-xcb.h>
-
 #include "components/logger.hpp"
 #include "errors.hpp"
 #include "utils/color.hpp"
@@ -8,8 +6,6 @@
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/draw.hpp"
 #include "x11/fonts.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -17,11 +13,14 @@ void font_ref::_deleter::operator()(font_ref* font) {
   font->glyph_widths.clear();
   font->width_lut.clear();
 
-  if (font->xft != nullptr) {
-    XftFontClose(&*xlib::get_display(), font->xft);
-  }
-  if (font->ptr != XCB_NONE) {
-    xcb_close_font(&*xutils::get_connection(), font->ptr);
+  if (font->xft != nullptr || font->ptr != XCB_NONE) {
+    auto& conn = connection::make();
+    if (font->xft != nullptr) {
+      XftFontClose(conn, font->xft);
+    }
+    if (font->ptr != XCB_NONE) {
+      xcb_close_font(conn, font->ptr);
+    }
   }
   delete font;
 }
@@ -30,16 +29,15 @@ void font_ref::_deleter::operator()(font_ref* font) {
  * Create instance
  */
 font_manager::make_type font_manager::make() {
-  return factory_util::unique<font_manager>(
-      connection::make(), logger::make(), xlib::get_display(), xlib::get_visual(), xlib::create_colormap());
+  return factory_util::unique<font_manager>(connection::make(), logger::make());
 }
 
-font_manager::font_manager(connection& conn, const logger& logger, Display* dsp, Visual* vis, Colormap&& cm)
+font_manager::font_manager(connection& conn, const logger& logger)
     : m_connection(conn)
     , m_logger(logger)
-    , m_display(forward<decltype(dsp)>(dsp))
-    , m_visual(forward<decltype(vis)>(vis))
-    , m_colormap(forward<decltype(cm)>(cm)) {
+    , m_display(m_connection)
+    , m_visual(m_connection.visual())
+    , m_colormap(XDefaultColormap(m_display, m_connection.default_screen())) {
   if (!XftInit(nullptr) || !XftInitFtLibrary()) {
     throw application_error("Could not initialize Xft library");
   }
diff --git a/src/x11/graphics.cpp b/src/x11/graphics.cpp
index ab5fd08bd..58f7648d1 100644
--- a/src/x11/graphics.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/graphics.cpp
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@
 #include "x11/atoms.hpp"
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/graphics.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -66,7 +65,7 @@ namespace graphics_util {
       uint32_t values[32];
 
       XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, graphics_exposures, 1);
-      xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+      connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
 
       *gc = conn.generate_id();
       conn.create_gc_checked(*gc, drawable, mask, values);
diff --git a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
index e9b6b8668..98cf0ccd7 100644
--- a/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/tray_client.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,6 @@
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/tray_client.hpp"
 #include "x11/xembed.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -95,7 +94,7 @@ void tray_client::reconfigure(int16_t x, int16_t y) const {
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, x, x);
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&configure_mask, &configure_params, y, y);
 
-  xutils::pack_values(configure_mask, &configure_params, configure_values);
+  connection::pack_values(configure_mask, &configure_params, configure_values);
   m_connection.configure_window_checked(window(), configure_mask, configure_values);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp b/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
index fb1ca1e98..369128041 100644
--- a/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/tray_manager.cpp
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@
 #include "x11/winspec.hpp"
 #include "x11/wm.hpp"
 #include "x11/xembed.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 // ====================================================================================================
 //
@@ -366,7 +365,7 @@ void tray_manager::reconfigure_window() {
 
     XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, width, width);
     XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, x, x);
-    xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+    connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
     m_connection.configure_window_checked(m_tray, mask, values);
   }
 
@@ -561,7 +560,8 @@ void tray_manager::create_window() {
   m_tray = win << cw_flush(true);
   m_log.info("Tray window: %s", m_connection.id(m_tray));
 
-  xutils::compton_shadow_exclude(m_connection, m_tray);
+  const uint32_t shadow{0};
+  m_connection.change_property(XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, m_tray, _COMPTON_SHADOW, XCB_ATOM_CARDINAL, 32, 1, &shadow);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -617,7 +617,7 @@ void tray_manager::restack_window() {
     XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, sibling, m_opts.sibling);
     XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, stack_mode, XCB_STACK_MODE_ABOVE);
 
-    xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+    connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
     m_connection.configure_window_checked(m_tray, mask, values);
   } catch (const exception& err) {
     auto id = m_connection.id(m_opts.sibling);
diff --git a/src/x11/window.cpp b/src/x11/window.cpp
index 04bdd1a3c..4c4518dd7 100644
--- a/src/x11/window.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/window.cpp
@@ -5,7 +5,7 @@
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/extensions/randr.hpp"
 #include "x11/window.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
+#include "utils/memory.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ window window::create_checked(int16_t x, int16_t y, uint16_t w, uint16_t h, uint
   auto root = connection().screen()->root;
   auto copy = XCB_COPY_FROM_PARENT;
   uint32_t values[16]{0};
-  xutils::pack_values(mask, p, values);
+  connection::pack_values(mask, p, values);
   connection().create_window_checked(copy, *this, root, x, y, w, h, 0, copy, copy, mask, values);
 
   return *this;
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ window window::reconfigure_geom(uint16_t w, uint16_t h, int16_t x, int16_t y) {
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, x, x);
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, y, y);
 
-  xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+  connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
   configure_checked(mask, values);
 
   return *this;
@@ -77,7 +77,7 @@ window window::reconfigure_pos(int16_t x, int16_t y) {
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, x, x);
   XCB_AUX_ADD_PARAM(&mask, &params, y, y);
 
-  xutils::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
+  connection::pack_values(mask, &params, values);
   configure_checked(mask, values);
 
   return *this;
@@ -111,9 +111,22 @@ window window::reconfigure_struts(uint16_t w, uint16_t h, int16_t x, bool bottom
  * Trigger redraw by toggling visibility state
  */
 void window::redraw() {
-  xutils::visibility_notify(connection(), *this, XCB_VISIBILITY_FULLY_OBSCURED);
-  xutils::visibility_notify(connection(), *this, XCB_VISIBILITY_UNOBSCURED);
+  visibility_notify(XCB_VISIBILITY_FULLY_OBSCURED);
+  visibility_notify(XCB_VISIBILITY_UNOBSCURED);
   connection().flush();
 }
 
+/**
+ * Send visibility notify event
+ */
+void window::visibility_notify(xcb_visibility_t state) {
+  auto notify = memory_util::make_malloc_ptr<xcb_visibility_notify_event_t, 32_z>();
+  notify->response_type = XCB_VISIBILITY_NOTIFY;
+  notify->window = *this;
+  notify->state = state;
+
+  uint32_t mask{XCB_EVENT_MASK_NO_EVENT};
+  connection().send_event(false, *this, mask, reinterpret_cast<const char*>(notify.get()));
+}
+
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/x11/winspec.cpp b/src/x11/winspec.cpp
index ba4c3145d..6e2ecc406 100644
--- a/src/x11/winspec.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/winspec.cpp
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
 
 #include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/winspec.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
 
@@ -33,7 +32,7 @@ xcb_window_t winspec::operator<<(const cw_flush& f) {
     m_height = 1;
   }
 
-  xutils::pack_values(m_mask, &m_params, values);
+  connection::pack_values(m_mask, &m_params, values);
 
   if (f.checked) {
     m_connection.create_window_checked(
diff --git a/src/x11/xlib.cpp b/src/x11/xlib.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index b2b196f83..000000000
--- a/src/x11/xlib.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,44 +0,0 @@
-#include <X11/X.h>
-
-#include "utils/factory.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
-
-POLYBAR_NS
-
-namespace xlib {
-  namespace detail {
-    display_lock::display_lock(Display* display) : m_display(forward<decltype(display)>(display)) {
-      XLockDisplay(m_display);
-    }
-
-    display_lock::~display_lock() {
-      XUnlockDisplay(m_display);
-    }
-  }
-
-  Display* get_display() {
-    static Display* display{XOpenDisplay(nullptr)};
-    return display;
-  }
-
-  Visual* get_visual(int screen, uint8_t depth) {
-    static shared_ptr<Visual> visual;
-    if (!visual) {
-      XVisualInfo info{};
-      if (XMatchVisualInfo(get_display(), screen, depth, TrueColor, &info)) {
-        visual = shared_ptr<Visual>(info.visual, [=](Visual* v) { XFree(v); });
-      }
-    }
-    return &*visual;
-  }
-
-  Colormap create_colormap(int screen) {
-    return XDefaultColormap(get_display(), screen);
-  }
-
-  inline auto make_display_lock() {
-    return make_unique<detail::display_lock>(get_display());
-  }
-}
-
-POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/x11/xresources.cpp b/src/x11/xresources.cpp
index 54846c09b..c29e8339e 100644
--- a/src/x11/xresources.cpp
+++ b/src/x11/xresources.cpp
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 #include <utility>
 
 #include "utils/factory.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
+#include "x11/connection.hpp"
 #include "x11/xresources.hpp"
 
 POLYBAR_NS
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ POLYBAR_NS
  */
 xresource_manager::make_type xresource_manager::make() {
   return static_cast<xresource_manager::make_type>(
-      *factory_util::singleton<std::remove_reference_t<xresource_manager::make_type>>(xlib::get_display()));
+      *factory_util::singleton<std::remove_reference_t<xresource_manager::make_type>>(connection::make()));
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/x11/xutils.cpp b/src/x11/xutils.cpp
deleted file mode 100644
index 6cc23706c..000000000
--- a/src/x11/xutils.cpp
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,59 +0,0 @@
-#include <xcb/xcb.h>
-
-#include "components/config.hpp"
-#include "utils/memory.hpp"
-#include "x11/atoms.hpp"
-#include "x11/connection.hpp"
-#include "x11/xlib.hpp"
-#include "x11/xutils.hpp"
-
-POLYBAR_NS
-
-namespace xutils {
-  xcb_connection_t* get_connection() {
-    static xcb_connection_t* connection;
-    if (!connection) {
-      auto display = xlib::get_display();
-      if (display != nullptr) {
-        XSetEventQueueOwner(display, XCBOwnsEventQueue);
-        connection = XGetXCBConnection(xlib::get_display());
-      }
-    }
-    return connection;
-  }
-
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const uint32_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
-    for (; mask; mask >>= 1, src++) {
-      if (mask & 1) {
-        *dest++ = *src;
-      }
-    }
-  }
-
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_cw_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
-    xutils::pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
-  }
-
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_gc_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
-    xutils::pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
-  }
-
-  void pack_values(uint32_t mask, const xcb_params_configure_window_t* src, uint32_t* dest) {
-    xutils::pack_values(mask, reinterpret_cast<const uint32_t*>(src), dest);
-  }
-
-  void visibility_notify(connection& conn, const xcb_window_t& win, xcb_visibility_t state) {
-    auto notify = memory_util::make_malloc_ptr<xcb_visibility_notify_event_t, 32_z>();
-    notify->response_type = XCB_VISIBILITY_NOTIFY;
-    notify->window = win;
-    notify->state = state;
-    conn.send_event(true, win, XCB_EVENT_MASK_NO_EVENT, reinterpret_cast<const char*>(&*notify));
-  }
-
-  void compton_shadow_exclude(connection& conn, const xcb_window_t& win) {
-    const uint32_t shadow{0};
-    conn.change_property(XCB_PROP_MODE_REPLACE, win, _COMPTON_SHADOW, XCB_ATOM_CARDINAL, 32, 1, &shadow);
-  }
-}
-
-POLYBAR_NS_END