diff --git a/include/components/builder.hpp b/include/components/builder.hpp
index 36782dbc..c847d2ec 100644
--- a/include/components/builder.hpp
+++ b/include/components/builder.hpp
@@ -49,9 +49,9 @@ class builder {
   void underline_close();
   void control(controltag tag);
   void action(mousebtn index, string action);
-  void action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action);
+  void action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action, string data);
   void action(mousebtn index, string action, const label_t& label);
-  void action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action, const label_t& label);
+  void action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action, string data, const label_t& label);
   void action_close();
 
  protected:
diff --git a/include/modules/alsa.hpp b/include/modules/alsa.hpp
index f96dd44b..da97c7bb 100644
--- a/include/modules/alsa.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/alsa.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_TOGGLE = "toggle";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr auto FORMAT_VOLUME = "format-volume";
diff --git a/include/modules/backlight.hpp b/include/modules/backlight.hpp
index 54fbd914..4bec7501 100644
--- a/include/modules/backlight.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/backlight.hpp
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr const char* EVENT_DEC = "dec";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& cmd);
+    bool input(string&& cmd, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr auto TAG_LABEL = "<label>";
diff --git a/include/modules/bspwm.hpp b/include/modules/bspwm.hpp
index 602d0940..9b02104e 100644
--- a/include/modules/bspwm.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/bspwm.hpp
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_PREV = "prev";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     bool handle_status(string& data);
diff --git a/include/modules/date.hpp b/include/modules/date.hpp
index 9b4fd224..292086f5 100644
--- a/include/modules/date.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/date.hpp
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_TOGGLE = "toggle";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr auto TAG_LABEL = "<label>";
diff --git a/include/modules/i3.hpp b/include/modules/i3.hpp
index 6dad1060..a3408580 100644
--- a/include/modules/i3.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/i3.hpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_PREV = "prev";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static string make_workspace_command(const string& workspace);
diff --git a/include/modules/menu.hpp b/include/modules/menu.hpp
index 56dc7f95..cbdf8b66 100644
--- a/include/modules/menu.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/menu.hpp
@@ -28,7 +28,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_CLOSE = "close";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr auto TAG_LABEL_TOGGLE = "<label-toggle>";
diff --git a/include/modules/meta/base.hpp b/include/modules/meta/base.hpp
index 8b938b11..3acd7804 100644
--- a/include/modules/meta/base.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/meta/base.hpp
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ namespace modules {
     void teardown();
     string contents();
 
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
     string input_handler_name() const;
 
     static constexpr auto TYPE = "";
diff --git a/include/modules/meta/base.inl b/include/modules/meta/base.inl
index a9058618..d955e68d 100644
--- a/include/modules/meta/base.inl
+++ b/include/modules/meta/base.inl
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ namespace modules {
   }
 
   template <typename Impl>
-  bool module<Impl>::input(string&&) {
+  bool module<Impl>::input(string&&, string&&) {
     // By default a module doesn't support inputs
     return false;
   }
diff --git a/include/modules/meta/input_handler.hpp b/include/modules/meta/input_handler.hpp
index 91825312..da9142f3 100644
--- a/include/modules/meta/input_handler.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/meta/input_handler.hpp
@@ -9,11 +9,14 @@ namespace modules {
    public:
     virtual ~input_handler() {}
     /**
-     * Handle action
+     * Handle action, possibly with data attached
+     *
+     * Any implementation is free to ignore the data, if the action does not
+     * require additional data.
      *
      * \returns true if the action is supported and false otherwise
      */
-    virtual bool input(string&& action) = 0;
+    virtual bool input(string&& action, string&& data) = 0;
 
     /**
      * The name of this input handler
diff --git a/include/modules/mpd.hpp b/include/modules/mpd.hpp
index dec83c41..d9a59846 100644
--- a/include/modules/mpd.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/mpd.hpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr const char* EVENT_SEEK = "seek";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr const char* FORMAT_ONLINE{"format-online"};
diff --git a/include/modules/pulseaudio.hpp b/include/modules/pulseaudio.hpp
index b2d967d5..801a4b3d 100644
--- a/include/modules/pulseaudio.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/pulseaudio.hpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_TOGGLE = "toggle";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr auto FORMAT_VOLUME = "format-volume";
diff --git a/include/modules/systray.hpp b/include/modules/systray.hpp
index 56f60331..54cbd850 100644
--- a/include/modules/systray.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/systray.hpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ namespace modules {
     static constexpr auto EVENT_TOGGLE = "toggle";
 
    protected:
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
 
diff --git a/include/modules/unsupported.hpp b/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
index f345717d..2009b3d4 100644
--- a/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/unsupported.hpp
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ namespace modules {
     string input_handler_name() const {                                                 \
       return "";                                                                        \
     }                                                                                   \
-    bool input(string&&) {                                                              \
+    bool input(string&&, string&&) {                                                    \
       return false;                                                                     \
     }                                                                                   \
   }
diff --git a/include/modules/xbacklight.hpp b/include/modules/xbacklight.hpp
index 414dc830..6e299994 100644
--- a/include/modules/xbacklight.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/xbacklight.hpp
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ namespace modules {
 
    protected:
     void handle(const evt::randr_notify& evt);
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr const char* TAG_LABEL{"<label>"};
diff --git a/include/modules/xkeyboard.hpp b/include/modules/xkeyboard.hpp
index 9ad4ed88..a5a7dfd1 100644
--- a/include/modules/xkeyboard.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/xkeyboard.hpp
@@ -38,7 +38,7 @@ namespace modules {
     void handle(const evt::xkb_state_notify& evt);
     void handle(const evt::xkb_indicator_state_notify& evt);
 
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static constexpr const char* TAG_LABEL_LAYOUT{"<label-layout>"};
diff --git a/include/modules/xworkspaces.hpp b/include/modules/xworkspaces.hpp
index 56565bde..daa21c6a 100644
--- a/include/modules/xworkspaces.hpp
+++ b/include/modules/xworkspaces.hpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ namespace modules {
     void rebuild_desktop_states();
     void set_desktop_urgent(xcb_window_t window);
 
-    bool input(string&& action);
+    bool input(string&& action, string&& data);
 
    private:
     static vector<string> get_desktop_names();
diff --git a/include/utils/actions.hpp b/include/utils/actions.hpp
index f8530dd6..5fb6e482 100644
--- a/include/utils/actions.hpp
+++ b/include/utils/actions.hpp
@@ -6,30 +6,7 @@
 POLYBAR_NS
 
 namespace actions_util {
-  /**
-   * Specifies how an action is routed
-   *
-   * A route consists of an input handler where the action should be delivered
-   * and the action itself.
-   *
-   * TODO maybe remove if redundant at the end
-   */
-  struct route {
-    bool valid;
-    string handler_name;
-    string action;
-
-    explicit route();
-    explicit route(string handler_name, string action);
-    explicit route(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action);
-
-    /**
-     * Constructs the full action string for this route
-     */
-    string get_action_string() const;
-  };
-
-  string get_action_string(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action);
+  string get_action_string(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action, string data);
 }  // namespace actions_util
 
 POLYBAR_NS_END
diff --git a/src/components/builder.cpp b/src/components/builder.cpp
index d70c600b..d3f5903b 100644
--- a/src/components/builder.cpp
+++ b/src/components/builder.cpp
@@ -442,8 +442,8 @@ void builder::action(mousebtn index, string action) {
 /**
  * Open action tag for the action of the given input_handler
  */
-void builder::action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action_name) {
-  action(btn, actions_util::get_action_string(handler, action_name));
+void builder::action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action_name, string data) {
+  action(btn, actions_util::get_action_string(handler, action_name, data));
 }
 
 /**
@@ -461,8 +461,8 @@ void builder::action(mousebtn index, string action_name, const label_t& label) {
 /**
  * Wrap label in module action tag
  */
-void builder::action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action_name, const label_t& label) {
-  action(btn, actions_util::get_action_string(handler, action_name), label);
+void builder::action(mousebtn btn, const modules::input_handler& handler, string action_name, string data, const label_t& label) {
+  action(btn, actions_util::get_action_string(handler, action_name, data), label);
 }
 
 /**
diff --git a/src/components/controller.cpp b/src/components/controller.cpp
index 3b3e01dd..8cefd1c8 100644
--- a/src/components/controller.cpp
+++ b/src/components/controller.cpp
@@ -402,9 +402,11 @@ void controller::process_inputdata() {
   m_log.trace("controller: Processing inputdata: %s", cmd);
 
   /*
-   * Module inputs have the following form (w/o the quotes): "#NAME#INPUT"
+   * Module inputs have the following form (w/o the quotes): "#NAME#ACTION[.DATA]"
    * where 'NAME' is the name of the module (for which '#' is a forbidden
-   * character) and 'INPUT' is the input that is sent to the module
+   * character) and 'ACTION' is the input that is sent to the module. 'DATA'
+   * is optional data that is attached to the action and is also sent to the
+   * module.
    */
   if (cmd.front() == '#') {
     // Find the second delimiter '#'
@@ -417,15 +419,25 @@ void controller::process_inputdata() {
 
     auto handler_name = cmd.substr(1, end_pos - 1);
     auto action = cmd.substr(end_pos + 1);
+    string data;
 
-    m_log.info("Forwarding data to input handlers (name: %s, action: %s) ", handler_name, action);
+    // Find the '.' character that separates the data from the action name
+    auto data_sep_pos = action.find('.', 0);
+
+    // The action contains data
+    if (data_sep_pos != string::npos) {
+      data = action.substr(end_pos + 1);
+      action.erase(end_pos);
+    }
+
+    m_log.info("Forwarding data to input handlers (name: '%s', action: '%s', data: '%s') ", handler_name, action, data);
 
     int num_delivered = 0;
 
     // Forwards the action to all input handlers that match the name
     for (auto&& handler : m_inputhandlers) {
       if (handler->input_handler_name() == handler_name) {
-        if (!handler->input(std::forward<string>(action))) {
+        if (!handler->input(std::forward<string>(action), std::forward<string>(data))) {
           m_log.err("The '%s' module does not support the '%s' action.", handler_name, action);
         }
 
@@ -513,7 +525,7 @@ void controller::process_inputdata() {
     if (cmd.compare(0, key.length(), key) == 0) {
       string type = entry.second.first;
       auto data = cmd.substr(key.length());
-      string action = entry.second.second + data;
+      string action = entry.second.second;
 
       // Search for the first module that matches the type for this legacy action
       for (auto&& mod : m_modules) {
@@ -522,9 +534,13 @@ void controller::process_inputdata() {
           auto handler_name = handler_ptr->input_handler_name();
           // TODO make this message more descriptive and maybe link to some documentation
           // TODO use route to string methods to print action name that should be used.
-          m_log.warn("The action '%s' is deprecated, use '#%s#%s' instead!", cmd, handler_name, action);
-          m_log.info("Forwarding legacy action '%s' to module '%s' as '%s'", cmd, handler_name, action);
-          if (!handler_ptr->input(std::forward<string>(action))) {
+          if (data.empty()) {
+            m_log.warn("The action '%s' is deprecated, use '#%s#%s' instead!", cmd, handler_name, action);
+          } else {
+            m_log.warn("The action '%s' is deprecated, use '#%s#%s.%s' instead!", cmd, handler_name, action, data);
+          }
+          m_log.info("Forwarding legacy action '%s' to module '%s' as '%s' with data '%s'", cmd, handler_name, action, data);
+          if (!handler_ptr->input(std::forward<string>(action), std::forward<string>(data))) {
             m_log.err("Failed to forward deprecated action to %s module", type);
             /*
              * Forward to shell if the module cannot accept the action to not break existing behavior.
diff --git a/src/modules/alsa.cpp b/src/modules/alsa.cpp
index e3dbae32..5d0df3a9 100644
--- a/src/modules/alsa.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/alsa.cpp
@@ -191,9 +191,9 @@ namespace modules {
     string output{module::get_output()};
 
     if (m_handle_events) {
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC);
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC, "");
     }
 
     m_builder->append(output);
@@ -218,7 +218,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool alsa_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool alsa_module::input(string&& action , string&&) {
     if (!m_handle_events) {
       return false;
     } else if (!m_mixer[mixer::MASTER]) {
diff --git a/src/modules/backlight.cpp b/src/modules/backlight.cpp
index cad8dfa4..ed058ddb 100644
--- a/src/modules/backlight.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/backlight.cpp
@@ -88,8 +88,8 @@ namespace modules {
     string output{module::get_output()};
 
     if (m_scroll) {
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC);
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC, "");
     }
 
     m_builder->append(std::move(output));
@@ -113,7 +113,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool backlight_module::input(string&& cmd) {
+  bool backlight_module::input(string&& cmd, string&&) {
     double value_mod{0.0};
 
     if (cmd == EVENT_INC) {
diff --git a/src/modules/bspwm.cpp b/src/modules/bspwm.cpp
index b76a784b..017f786c 100644
--- a/src/modules/bspwm.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/bspwm.cpp
@@ -396,8 +396,8 @@ namespace modules {
       size_t workspace_n{0U};
 
       if (m_scroll) {
-        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_PREV);
-        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_NEXT);
+        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_PREV, "");
+        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_NEXT, "");
       }
 
       for (auto&& ws : m_monitors[m_index]->workspaces) {
@@ -409,7 +409,7 @@ namespace modules {
           workspace_n++;
 
           if (m_click) {
-            builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, sstream() << EVENT_FOCUS << m_index << "+" << workspace_n, ws.second);
+            builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_FOCUS, sstream() << m_index << "+" << workspace_n, ws.second);
           } else {
             builder->node(ws.second);
           }
@@ -445,7 +445,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return false;
   }
 
-  bool bspwm_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool bspwm_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     auto send_command = [this](string payload_cmd, string log_info) {
       try {
         auto ipc = bspwm_util::make_connection();
@@ -458,18 +458,16 @@ namespace modules {
       }
     };
 
-    if (action.compare(0, strlen(EVENT_FOCUS), EVENT_FOCUS) == 0) {
-      action.erase(0, strlen(EVENT_FOCUS));
-
-      size_t separator{string_util::find_nth(action, 0, "+", 1)};
-      size_t monitor_n{std::strtoul(action.substr(0, separator).c_str(), nullptr, 10)};
-      string workspace_n{action.substr(separator + 1)};
+    if (action == EVENT_FOCUS) {
+      size_t separator{string_util::find_nth(data, 0, "+", 1)};
+      size_t monitor_n{std::strtoul(data.substr(0, separator).c_str(), nullptr, 10)};
+      string workspace_n{data.substr(separator + 1)};
 
       if (monitor_n < m_monitors.size()) {
         send_command("desktop -f " + m_monitors[monitor_n]->name + ":^" + workspace_n,
             "Sending desktop focus command to ipc handler");
       } else {
-        m_log.err("%s: Invalid monitor index in command: %s", name(), action);
+        m_log.err("%s: Invalid monitor index in command: %s", name(), data);
       }
 
       return true;
diff --git a/src/modules/date.cpp b/src/modules/date.cpp
index d8e3fa4b..11fcb6bf 100644
--- a/src/modules/date.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/date.cpp
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ namespace modules {
   bool date_module::build(builder* builder, const string& tag) const {
     if (tag == TAG_LABEL) {
       if (!m_dateformat_alt.empty() || !m_timeformat_alt.empty()) {
-        builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, m_label);
+        builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, "", m_label);
       } else {
         builder->node(m_label);
       }
@@ -83,7 +83,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool date_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool date_module::input(string&& action, string&&) {
     if (action != EVENT_TOGGLE) {
       return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/i3.cpp b/src/modules/i3.cpp
index 51628727..5e316f05 100644
--- a/src/modules/i3.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/i3.cpp
@@ -183,8 +183,8 @@ namespace modules {
       builder->node(m_modelabel);
     } else if (tag == TAG_LABEL_STATE && !m_workspaces.empty()) {
       if (m_scroll) {
-        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_PREV);
-        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_NEXT);
+        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_PREV, "");
+        builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_NEXT, "");
       }
 
       bool first = true;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ namespace modules {
         }
 
         if (m_click) {
-          builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, string{EVENT_FOCUS} + ws->name, ws->label);
+          builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_FOCUS, ws->name, ws->label);
         } else {
           builder->node(ws->label);
         }
@@ -218,14 +218,13 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool i3_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool i3_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     try {
       const i3_util::connection_t conn{};
 
-      if (action.compare(0, strlen(EVENT_FOCUS), EVENT_FOCUS) == 0) {
-        action.erase(0, strlen(EVENT_FOCUS));
+      if (action == EVENT_FOCUS) {
         m_log.info("%s: Sending workspace focus command to ipc handler", name());
-        conn.send_command(make_workspace_command(action));
+        conn.send_command(make_workspace_command(data));
         return true;
       }
 
diff --git a/src/modules/menu.cpp b/src/modules/menu.cpp
index fe137222..2ed0564a 100644
--- a/src/modules/menu.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/menu.cpp
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ namespace modules {
         m_log.trace("%s: Creating menu level item %i", name(), m_levels.back()->items.size());
         auto item = factory_util::unique<menu_tree_item>();
         item->label = load_label(m_conf, name(), item_param);
-        item->exec = m_conf.get(name(), item_param + "-exec", actions_util::get_action_string(*this, EVENT_CLOSE));
+        item->exec = m_conf.get(name(), item_param + "-exec", actions_util::get_action_string(*this, EVENT_CLOSE, ""));
         m_levels.back()->items.emplace_back(move(item));
       }
     }
@@ -66,9 +66,9 @@ namespace modules {
 
   bool menu_module::build(builder* builder, const string& tag) const {
     if (tag == TAG_LABEL_TOGGLE && m_level == -1) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, string(EVENT_OPEN) + "0", m_labelopen);
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, string(EVENT_OPEN), "0", m_labelopen);
     } else if (tag == TAG_LABEL_TOGGLE && m_level > -1) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_CLOSE, m_labelclose);
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_CLOSE, "", m_labelclose);
     } else if (tag == TAG_MENU && m_level > -1) {
       auto spacing = m_formatter->get(get_format())->spacing;
       //Insert separator after menu-toggle and before menu-items for expand-right=true
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool menu_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool menu_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     // TODO Figure out how to close menu when command is executed (maybe exec-N action)
     if (action.compare(0, 4, "menu") != 0 && m_level > -1) {
       for (auto&& item : m_levels[m_level]->items) {
@@ -109,8 +109,8 @@ namespace modules {
       return false;
     }
 
-    if (action.compare(0, strlen(EVENT_OPEN), EVENT_OPEN) == 0) {
-      auto level = action.substr(strlen(EVENT_OPEN));
+    if (action == EVENT_OPEN) {
+      auto level = data;
 
       if (level.empty()) {
         level = "0";
diff --git a/src/modules/mpd.cpp b/src/modules/mpd.cpp
index b3211050..99572a09 100644
--- a/src/modules/mpd.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/mpd.cpp
@@ -325,27 +325,27 @@ namespace modules {
     } else if (tag == TAG_LABEL_OFFLINE) {
       builder->node(m_label_offline);
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_RANDOM) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_RANDOM, m_icons->get("random"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_RANDOM, "", m_icons->get("random"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_REPEAT) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_REPEAT, m_icons->get("repeat"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_REPEAT, "", m_icons->get("repeat"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_REPEAT_ONE || tag == TAG_ICON_SINGLE) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SINGLE, m_icons->get("single"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SINGLE, "", m_icons->get("single"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_CONSUME) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_CONSUME, m_icons->get("consume"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_CONSUME, "", m_icons->get("consume"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_PREV) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PREV, m_icons->get("prev"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PREV, "", m_icons->get("prev"));
     } else if ((tag == TAG_ICON_STOP || tag == TAG_TOGGLE_STOP) && (is_playing || is_paused)) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_STOP, m_icons->get("stop"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_STOP, "", m_icons->get("stop"));
     } else if ((tag == TAG_ICON_PAUSE || tag == TAG_TOGGLE) && is_playing) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PAUSE, m_icons->get("pause"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PAUSE, "", m_icons->get("pause"));
     } else if ((tag == TAG_ICON_PLAY || tag == TAG_TOGGLE || tag == TAG_TOGGLE_STOP) && !is_playing) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PLAY, m_icons->get("play"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_PLAY, "", m_icons->get("play"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_NEXT) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_NEXT, m_icons->get("next"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_NEXT, "", m_icons->get("next"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_SEEKB) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SEEK + "-5"s, m_icons->get("seekb"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SEEK, "-5"s, m_icons->get("seekb"));
     } else if (tag == TAG_ICON_SEEKF) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SEEK + "+5"s, m_icons->get("seekf"));
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SEEK, "+5"s, m_icons->get("seekf"));
     } else {
       return false;
     }
@@ -353,7 +353,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool mpd_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool mpd_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     m_log.info("%s: event: %s", name(), action);
 
     try {
@@ -384,17 +384,16 @@ namespace modules {
         mpd->set_random(!status->random());
       } else if (action == EVENT_CONSUME) {
         mpd->set_consume(!status->consume());
-      } else if (action.compare(0, strlen(EVENT_SEEK), EVENT_SEEK) == 0) {
-        auto s = action.substr(strlen(EVENT_SEEK));
+      } else if (action == EVENT_SEEK) {
         int percentage = 0;
-        if (s.empty()) {
+        if (data.empty()) {
           return false;
-        } else if (s[0] == '+') {
-          percentage = status->get_elapsed_percentage() + std::strtol(s.substr(1).c_str(), nullptr, 10);
-        } else if (s[0] == '-') {
-          percentage = status->get_elapsed_percentage() - std::strtol(s.substr(1).c_str(), nullptr, 10);
+        } else if (data[0] == '+') {
+          percentage = status->get_elapsed_percentage() + std::strtol(data.substr(1).c_str(), nullptr, 10);
+        } else if (data[0] == '-') {
+          percentage = status->get_elapsed_percentage() - std::strtol(data.substr(1).c_str(), nullptr, 10);
         } else {
-          percentage = std::strtol(s.c_str(), nullptr, 10);
+          percentage = std::strtol(data.c_str(), nullptr, 10);
         }
         mpd->seek(status->get_songid(), status->get_seek_position(percentage));
       } else {
diff --git a/src/modules/pulseaudio.cpp b/src/modules/pulseaudio.cpp
index 2218a5ba..c1d1b5a6 100644
--- a/src/modules/pulseaudio.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/pulseaudio.cpp
@@ -117,9 +117,9 @@ namespace modules {
         m_builder->action(mousebtn::RIGHT, click_right);
       }
 
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC);
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC, "");
     }
 
     m_builder->append(output);
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ namespace modules {
     return true;
   }
 
-  bool pulseaudio_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool pulseaudio_module::input(string&& action, string&&) {
     if (!m_handle_events) {
       return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/systray.cpp b/src/modules/systray.cpp
index 726a034e..b0ad656e 100644
--- a/src/modules/systray.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/systray.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ namespace modules {
    */
   bool systray_module::build(builder* builder, const string& tag) const {
     if (tag == TAG_LABEL_TOGGLE) {
-      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, m_label);
+      builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_TOGGLE, "", m_label);
     } else if (tag == TAG_TRAY_CLIENTS && !m_hidden) {
       builder->append(TRAY_PLACEHOLDER);
     } else {
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ namespace modules {
   /**
    * Handle input event
    */
-  bool systray_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool systray_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     if (action.find(EVENT_TOGGLE) != 0) {
       return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp b/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
index 0d698033..3297b850 100644
--- a/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/xbacklight.cpp
@@ -116,8 +116,8 @@ namespace modules {
     string output{module::get_output()};
 
     if (m_scroll) {
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC);
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC);
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_INC, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_DEC, "");
     }
 
     m_builder->append(output);
@@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ namespace modules {
   /**
    * Process scroll events by changing backlight value
    */
-  bool xbacklight_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool xbacklight_module::input(string&& action, string&&) {
     double value_mod{0.0};
 
     if (action == EVENT_INC) {
diff --git a/src/modules/xkeyboard.cpp b/src/modules/xkeyboard.cpp
index 31107d53..39403ad1 100644
--- a/src/modules/xkeyboard.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/xkeyboard.cpp
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ namespace modules {
     string output{module::get_output()};
 
     if (m_keyboard && m_keyboard->size() > 1) {
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SWITCH);
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_SWITCH, "");
       m_builder->append(output);
       m_builder->action_close();
     } else {
@@ -207,7 +207,7 @@ namespace modules {
   /**
    * Handle input command
    */
-  bool xkeyboard_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool xkeyboard_module::input(string&& action, string&&) {
     if (action != EVENT_SWITCH) {
       return false;
     }
diff --git a/src/modules/xworkspaces.cpp b/src/modules/xworkspaces.cpp
index c2b48de2..edf53e24 100644
--- a/src/modules/xworkspaces.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/xworkspaces.cpp
@@ -324,8 +324,8 @@ namespace modules {
     }
 
     if (m_scroll) {
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, string{EVENT_PREV});
-      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, string{EVENT_NEXT});
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_DOWN, *this, EVENT_PREV, "");
+      m_builder->action(mousebtn::SCROLL_UP, *this, EVENT_NEXT, "");
     }
 
     m_builder->append(output);
@@ -352,7 +352,7 @@ namespace modules {
       for (auto&& desktop : m_viewports[m_index]->desktops) {
         if (desktop->label.get()) {
           if (m_click && desktop->state != desktop_state::ACTIVE) {
-            builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, string{EVENT_FOCUS} + to_string(desktop->index), desktop->label);
+            builder->action(mousebtn::LEFT, *this, EVENT_FOCUS, to_string(desktop->index), desktop->label);
           } else {
             builder->node(desktop->label);
           }
@@ -368,7 +368,7 @@ namespace modules {
   /**
    * Handle user input event
    */
-  bool xworkspaces_module::input(string&& action) {
+  bool xworkspaces_module::input(string&& action, string&& data) {
     std::lock_guard<std::mutex> lock(m_workspace_mutex);
 
     vector<unsigned int> indexes;
@@ -383,14 +383,12 @@ namespace modules {
     unsigned int new_desktop{0};
     unsigned int current_desktop{ewmh_util::get_current_desktop()};
 
-    size_t len;
-
-    if ((len = strlen(EVENT_FOCUS)) && action.compare(0, len, EVENT_FOCUS) == 0) {
-      new_desktop = std::strtoul(action.substr(len).c_str(), nullptr, 10);
-    } else if ((len = strlen(EVENT_NEXT)) && action.compare(0, len, EVENT_NEXT) == 0) {
+    if (action == EVENT_FOCUS) {
+      new_desktop = std::strtoul(data.c_str(), nullptr, 10);
+    } else if (action == EVENT_NEXT) {
       new_desktop = math_util::min<unsigned int>(indexes.back(), current_desktop + 1);
       new_desktop = new_desktop == current_desktop ? indexes.front() : new_desktop;
-    } else if ((len = strlen(EVENT_PREV)) && action.compare(0, len, EVENT_PREV) == 0) {
+    } else if (action == EVENT_PREV) {
       new_desktop = math_util::max<unsigned int>(indexes.front(), current_desktop - 1);
       new_desktop = new_desktop == current_desktop ? indexes.back() : new_desktop;
     }
diff --git a/src/utils/actions.cpp b/src/utils/actions.cpp
index 7e7e9273..51e50935 100644
--- a/src/utils/actions.cpp
+++ b/src/utils/actions.cpp
@@ -5,21 +5,13 @@
 POLYBAR_NS
 
 namespace actions_util {
-  route::route() : valid(false), handler_name(""), action("") {}
-  route::route(string handler_name, string action) : valid(true), handler_name(handler_name), action(action) {}
-  route::route(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action)
-      : valid(true), handler_name(handler.input_handler_name()), action(action) {}
-
-  string route::get_action_string() const {
-    if (!this->valid) {
-      return "";
+  string get_action_string(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action, string data) {
+    string str = "#" + handler.input_handler_name() + "#" + action;
+    if (!data.empty()) {
+      str += "." + data;
     }
 
-    return "#" + this->handler_name + "#" + this->action;
-  }
-
-  string get_action_string(const modules::input_handler& handler, string action) {
-    return route(handler, action).get_action_string();
+    return str;
   }
 }  // namespace actions_util