diff --git a/modules/app/regex/config.el b/modules/app/regex/config.el
index 539297e46..f48488d01 100644
--- a/modules/app/regex/config.el
+++ b/modules/app/regex/config.el
@@ -47,10 +47,6 @@ https://mediatemple.net"
   "TODO")
 
 (set-popup-rules!
- '(("^\\*doom-regex\\*$"
-    ((size . 4))
-    ((quit)))
-   ("^\\*doom-regex-groups"
-    ((side . left) (size . 28))
-    ((select) (quit)))))
+ '(("^\\*doom-regex\\*$" :size 4 :quit nil)
+   ("^\\*doom-regex-groups" :side 'left :size 28 :select nil :quit nil)))
 
diff --git a/modules/app/rss/config.el b/modules/app/rss/config.el
index 4710079e5..abe04731e 100644
--- a/modules/app/rss/config.el
+++ b/modules/app/rss/config.el
@@ -27,8 +27,8 @@ absolute paths.")
         shr-max-image-proportion 0.6)
 
   (set-popup-rule! "^\\*elfeed-entry"
-    '((size . 0.75) (side . bottom))
-    '((select . t) (quit) (transient . t)))
+    :size 0.75 :side 'bottom
+    :select t :quit nil :ttl t)
 
   (make-directory elfeed-db-directory t)
 
diff --git a/modules/app/twitter/config.el b/modules/app/twitter/config.el
index ed7075592..c3a869468 100644
--- a/modules/app/twitter/config.el
+++ b/modules/app/twitter/config.el
@@ -25,9 +25,7 @@
         twittering-initial-timeline-spec-string
         '(":home" ":mentions" ":direct_messages"))
 
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*twittering-edit"
-    '((size . 15))
-    '((transient) (quit) (select . t)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*twittering-edit" :size 15 :ttl nil :quit nil :select t)
 
   (defface twitter-divider
     '((((background dark))  (:underline (:color "#141519")))
diff --git a/modules/completion/helm/config.el b/modules/completion/helm/config.el
index a4a8a4537..19dd7b65f 100644
--- a/modules/completion/helm/config.el
+++ b/modules/completion/helm/config.el
@@ -94,9 +94,7 @@
 ;; `helm-ag'
 (after! helm-ag
   (define-key helm-ag-edit-map [remap quit-window] #'helm-ag--edit-abort)
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*helm-ag-edit"
-    '((size . 0.35))
-    '((transient . 0) (quit))))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*helm-ag-edit" :size 0.35 :ttl 0 :quit nil))
 
 
 ;; `helm-bookmark'
diff --git a/modules/completion/ivy/config.el b/modules/completion/ivy/config.el
index b2d697f49..3661f8f60 100644
--- a/modules/completion/ivy/config.el
+++ b/modules/completion/ivy/config.el
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ immediately runs it on the current candidate (ending the ivy session)."
     [remap swiper]                   #'counsel-grep-or-swiper)
 
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*ivy-occur" '((size . 0.35)) '((transient . 0) (quit)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*ivy-occur" :size 0.35 :ttl 0 :quit nil)
 
   (setq counsel-find-file-ignore-regexp "\\(?:^[#.]\\)\\|\\(?:[#~]$\\)\\|\\(?:^Icon?\\)"
         ;; Add smart-casing and compressed archive searching (-zS) to default
diff --git a/modules/emacs/imenu/config.el b/modules/emacs/imenu/config.el
index 37cd79361..de82a401e 100644
--- a/modules/emacs/imenu/config.el
+++ b/modules/emacs/imenu/config.el
@@ -8,8 +8,7 @@
   (setq imenu-list-idle-update-delay 0.5)
 
   (set-popup-rule! "^\\*Ilist"
-    '((side . right) (size . 35))
-    '((quit . current) (select) (transient . 0)))
+    :side 'right :size 35 :quit 'current :select nil :ttl 0)
 
   (defun +imenu|cleanup-on-popup-close ()
     "Clean up after `imenu-list-minor-mode' when killing the list window."
diff --git a/modules/feature/debugger/config.el b/modules/feature/debugger/config.el
index 77d0858e2..49d3e3856 100644
--- a/modules/feature/debugger/config.el
+++ b/modules/feature/debugger/config.el
@@ -3,8 +3,7 @@
 (def-package! realgud
   :commands (realgud:gdb realgud:trepanjs realgud:bashdb realgud:zshdb)
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*\\(?trepanjs:\\(?:g\\|zsh\\|bash\\)db\\)"
-    '((size . 20)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*\\(?trepanjs:\\(?:g\\|zsh\\|bash\\)db\\)" :size 20)
 
   ;; TODO Temporary Ex commands for the debugger
   ;; (def-tmp-excmd! doom:def-debug-on doom:def-debug-off
diff --git a/modules/feature/eval/config.el b/modules/feature/eval/config.el
index 53545e4f0..f17bc335d 100644
--- a/modules/feature/eval/config.el
+++ b/modules/feature/eval/config.el
@@ -17,7 +17,7 @@
   :config
   (setq quickrun-focus-p nil)
 
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*quickrun" '((size . 0.3)) '((transient . 0)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*quickrun" :size 0.3 :ttl 0)
 
   (defun +eval*quickrun-auto-close (&rest _)
     "Allows us to silently re-run quickrun from within the quickrun buffer."
diff --git a/modules/feature/evil/config.el b/modules/feature/evil/config.el
index 2cf3fa314..3435a4fb0 100644
--- a/modules/feature/evil/config.el
+++ b/modules/feature/evil/config.el
@@ -68,8 +68,8 @@ variable for an explanation of the defaults (in comments). See
   (put 'evil-define-key* 'lisp-indent-function 'defun)
 
   (set-popup-rules!
-    '(("^\\*evil-registers" ((size . 0.3)))
-      ("^\\*Command Line"   ((size . 8)))))
+    '(("^\\*evil-registers" :size 0.3)
+      ("^\\*Command Line"   :size 8)))
 
   ;; Change the cursor color in emacs mode
   (defvar +evil--default-cursor-color "#ffffff")
diff --git a/modules/feature/version-control/+git.el b/modules/feature/version-control/+git.el
index 534649369..5828a2157 100644
--- a/modules/feature/version-control/+git.el
+++ b/modules/feature/version-control/+git.el
@@ -20,7 +20,7 @@
       (git-gutter-mode +1)))
   (add-hook! (text-mode prog-mode conf-mode) #'+version-control|git-gutter-maybe)
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*git-gutter" nil '((select)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*git-gutter" :select nil)
 
   ;; Update git-gutter on focus (in case I was using git externally)
   (add-hook 'focus-in-hook #'git-gutter:update-all-windows)
diff --git a/modules/feature/version-control/config.el b/modules/feature/version-control/config.el
index 353daedbd..d3d83f234 100644
--- a/modules/feature/version-control/config.el
+++ b/modules/feature/version-control/config.el
@@ -12,8 +12,8 @@
 
 (after! vc-annotate
   (set-popup-rules!
-   '(("^\\vc-d" nil ((select)))       ; *vc-diff*
-     ("^\\vc-c" nil ((select . t))))) ; *vc-change-log*
+    '(("^\\vc-d" :select)       ; *vc-diff*
+      ("^\\vc-c" :select t))) ; *vc-change-log*
   (set-evil-initial-state!
     '(vc-annotate-mode vc-git-log-view-mode)
     'normal))
diff --git a/modules/lang/clojure/config.el b/modules/lang/clojure/config.el
index f61172558..e0c3b3767 100644
--- a/modules/lang/clojure/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/clojure/config.el
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@
          (figwheel-sidecar.repl-api/start-figwheel!)
          (figwheel-sidecar.repl-api/cljs-repl))")
 
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*cider-repl" nil '((quit) (select)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*cider-repl" :quit nil :select nil)
   (set-repl-handler! 'clojure-mode #'+clojure/repl)
   (set-eval-handler! 'clojure-mode #'cider-eval-region)
   (set-lookup-handlers! 'clojure-mode
diff --git a/modules/lang/latex/config.el b/modules/lang/latex/config.el
index d7e127d2a..f90a2200a 100644
--- a/modules/lang/latex/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/latex/config.el
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@
         font-latex-fontify-sectioning 1.15)
   (setq-default TeX-master nil)
   ;; Display the output of the latex commands in a popup.
-  (set-popup-rule! " output\\*$" '((size . 15)))
+  (set-popup-rule! " output\\*$" :size 15)
 
   ;; TeX Font Styling
   ;; (def-package! tex-style :defer t)
diff --git a/modules/lang/org/+babel.el b/modules/lang/org/+babel.el
index 39dd2222a..315fc1b9d 100644
--- a/modules/lang/org/+babel.el
+++ b/modules/lang/org/+babel.el
@@ -73,17 +73,17 @@ string). Stops at the first function to return non-nil.")
   :config
   (set-popup-rules!
     '(("^\\*Org Src"
-       ((size . 100) (side . right) (slot . -1) (window-height . 0.6))
-       ((quit) (select . t) (modeline)))
+       :side 'right :size 100  :height 0.6 :slot -1
+       :quit nil :select t)
       ("^\\*Python"
-       ((slot . 0) (side . right) (size . 100))
-       ((select) (quit) (transient)))
+       :slot 0 :side 'right :size 100
+       :select nil :quit nil :ttl nil)
       ("\\*ob-ipython.*"
-       ((slot . 2) (side . right) (size . 100) (window-height . 0.2))
-       ((select) (quit) (transient)))
+       :slot 2 :side 'right :size 100 :height 0.2
+       :select nil :quit nil :transient nil)
       ("\\*Python:.*"
-       ((slot . 0) (side . right) (size . 100))
-       ((select) (quit) (transient)))))
+       :slot 0 :side 'right :size 100
+       :select nil :quit nil :transient nil)))
   ;; TODO Add more popup styles
 
   ;; advices for remote kernel and org-src-edit
diff --git a/modules/lang/org/config.el b/modules/lang/org/config.el
index 0c006e6fc..bce7415a9 100644
--- a/modules/lang/org/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/org/config.el
@@ -140,17 +140,10 @@ unfold to point on startup."
   "Defines popup rules for org-mode (does nothing if :ui popup is disabled)."
   (set-popup-rules!
     '(("^\\*\\(?:Agenda Com\\|Calendar\\|Org \\(?:Links\\|Export Dispatcher\\|Select\\)\\)"
-       ((slot . -1) (vslot . -1) (size . +popup-shrink-to-fit))
-       ((transient . 0)))
-      ("^\\*Org Agenda"
-       ((size . 0.35))
-       ((select . t) (transient)))
-      ("^\\*Org Src"
-       ((size . 0.3))
-       ((quit) (select . t)))
-      ("^CAPTURE.*\\.org$"
-       ((size . 0.2))
-       ((quit) (select . t))))))
+       :slot -1 :vslot -1 :size #'+popup-shrink-to-fit :ttl 0)
+      ("^\\*Org Agenda"    :size 0.35 :select t :ttl nil)
+      ("^\\*Org Src"       :size 0.3 :quit nil :select t)
+      ("^CAPTURE.*\\.org$" :size 0.2 :quit nil :select t))))
 
 (defun +org|setup-pretty-code ()
   "Setup the default pretty symbols for"
diff --git a/modules/lang/plantuml/config.el b/modules/lang/plantuml/config.el
index a798870ad..04001c496 100644
--- a/modules/lang/plantuml/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/plantuml/config.el
@@ -6,7 +6,7 @@
   (setq plantuml-jar-path (concat doom-etc-dir "plantuml.jar")
         org-plantuml-jar-path plantuml-jar-path)
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*PLANTUML" '((size . 0.4)) '((select) (transient . 0))))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*PLANTUML" :size 0.4 :select nil :ttl 0))
 
 
 (def-package! flycheck-plantuml
diff --git a/modules/lang/python/config.el b/modules/lang/python/config.el
index 48ba4f077..2ae760085 100644
--- a/modules/lang/python/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/python/config.el
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ environment variables."
   (add-hook 'python-mode-hook #'anaconda-mode)
   (add-hook 'anaconda-mode-hook #'anaconda-eldoc-mode)
   (set-company-backend! 'python-mode '(company-anaconda))
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*anaconda-mode" nil '((select)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*anaconda-mode" :select nil)
   (set-lookup-handlers! 'python-mode
     :definition #'anaconda-mode-find-definitions
     :references #'anaconda-mode-find-references
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ environment variables."
   :init
   (associate! nose-mode :match "/test_.+\\.py$" :modes (python-mode))
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*nosetests" '((size . 0.4)) '((select)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*nosetests" :size 0.4 :select nil)
   (set-yas-minor-mode! 'nose-mode)
   (map! :map nose-mode-map
         :localleader
diff --git a/modules/lang/rest/config.el b/modules/lang/rest/config.el
index 2114e2015..9b54b78c7 100644
--- a/modules/lang/rest/config.el
+++ b/modules/lang/rest/config.el
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 (def-package! restclient
   :mode ("\\.http\\'" . restclient-mode)
   :config
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*HTTP Response" '((size . 0.4)) '((quit . other)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*HTTP Response" :size 0.4 :quit 'other)
   (map! :mode restclient-mode
         :n [M-return] 'restclient-http-send-current
         :localleader
diff --git a/modules/tools/ein/config.el b/modules/tools/ein/config.el
index dda5acd71..0c92dcf59 100644
--- a/modules/tools/ein/config.el
+++ b/modules/tools/ein/config.el
@@ -18,12 +18,8 @@
 
   (set-popup-rules!
    '(("\\*ein: .*" :ignore t)
-     ("\\*ein:tb .*"
-      ((side . bottom) (size . 0.3))
-      ((quit . t) (transient) (select)))
-     ("\\*ein:notebooklist *"
-      ((side . left) (size . 50))
-      ((select)))))
+     ("\\*ein:tb .*" :side 'bottom :size 0.3 :quit t :ttl nil :select nil)
+     ("\\*ein:notebooklist *" :side 'left :size 50 :select nil)))
 
   (when (featurep! :completion company)
     ;; Code completion with company
diff --git a/modules/tools/magit/config.el b/modules/tools/magit/config.el
index a65ed7ee0..739a346c6 100644
--- a/modules/tools/magit/config.el
+++ b/modules/tools/magit/config.el
@@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ load everything.")
         magit-display-buffer-function #'+magit-display-buffer-fullscreen
         magit-popup-display-buffer-action '((display-buffer-in-side-window)))
 
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\(?:\\*magit\\|magit:\\)" :ignore)
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\(?:\\*magit\\|magit:\\)" :ignore t)
   ;; Consider magit buffers real (so they can switched to)
   (add-hook 'magit-mode-hook #'doom|mark-buffer-as-real)
   ;; no mode-line in magit popups
diff --git a/modules/tools/password-store/config.el b/modules/tools/password-store/config.el
index 27e7ca61e..abc6db2c6 100644
--- a/modules/tools/password-store/config.el
+++ b/modules/tools/password-store/config.el
@@ -28,9 +28,7 @@
 (after! pass
   (set-env! "PASSWORD_STORE_DIR")
   (set-evil-initial-state! 'pass-mode 'emacs)
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*Password-Store"
-    '((side . left) (size . 0.25))
-    '((quit)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*Password-Store" :side 'left :size 0.25 :quit nil)
   (define-key! pass-mode-map
     "j"    #'pass-next-entry
     "k"    #'pass-prev-entry
diff --git a/modules/tools/pdf/config.el b/modules/tools/pdf/config.el
index 2d917ce2b..5b2952b64 100644
--- a/modules/tools/pdf/config.el
+++ b/modules/tools/pdf/config.el
@@ -34,9 +34,9 @@
     (load! "+modeline")
     (add-hook! 'pdf-tools-enabled-hook (doom-set-modeline 'pdf-tools-modeline)))
   ;; Handle PDF-tools related popups better
-  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*Outline*" '((side . right) (size . 40)) '((select)))
+  (set-popup-rule! "^\\*Outline*" :side 'right :size 40 :select nil)
   ;; TODO: Add additional important windows that should be handled differently
   ;; TODO: These two next rules don't work (they should), investigate
-  ;; (set-popup-rule! "\\*Contents\\*" '((side . right) (size . 40)) nil)
-  ;; (set-popup-rule! "* annots\\*$" '((side . left) (size . 40)) '((select)))
+  ;; (set-popup-rule! "\\*Contents\\*" :side 'right :size 40)
+  ;; (set-popup-rule! "* annots\\*$" :side 'left :size 40 :select nil)
   )
diff --git a/modules/ui/neotree/config.el b/modules/ui/neotree/config.el
index dca65e7c4..b308ee247 100644
--- a/modules/ui/neotree/config.el
+++ b/modules/ui/neotree/config.el
@@ -36,8 +36,8 @@
           "^#.*#$"))
 
   (set-popup-rule! "^ ?\\*NeoTree"
-    `((side . ,neo-window-position) (size . ,neo-window-width))
-    '((quit . current) (select . t)))
+    :side neo-window-position :size neo-window-width
+    :quit 'current :select t)
 
   (after! winner
     (cl-pushnew neo-buffer-name winner-boring-buffers))
diff --git a/modules/ui/popup/autoload/popup.el b/modules/ui/popup/autoload/popup.el
index ab988a67a..32a1f8457 100644
--- a/modules/ui/popup/autoload/popup.el
+++ b/modules/ui/popup/autoload/popup.el
@@ -83,10 +83,11 @@ and enables `+popup-buffer-mode'."
         ;; integer = ttl
         ;; nil = no timer
         (unless +popup--inhibit-transient
-          (setq ttl (+popup-parameter-fn 'transient window buffer))
+          (setq ttl (+popup-parameter-fn 'ttl window buffer))
           (when ttl
             (when (eq ttl t)
-              (setq ttl +popup-ttl))
+              (setq ttl (or (plist-get +popup-defaults :ttl)
+                            0)))
             (cl-assert (integerp ttl) t)
             (if (= ttl 0)
                 (+popup--kill-buffer buffer 0)
@@ -97,23 +98,26 @@ and enables `+popup-buffer-mode'."
 
 (defun +popup--normalize-alist (alist)
   "Merge `+popup-default-alist' and `+popup-default-parameters' with ALIST."
-  (if (not alist)
-      (setq alist +popup-default-alist)
-    (let* ((alist  (map-merge 'list +popup-default-alist alist))
-           (params (map-merge 'list
-                              +popup-default-parameters
-                              (cdr (assq 'window-parameters alist)))))
-      ;; translate side => window-(width|height)
-      (when-let* ((size (cdr (assq 'size alist)))
-                  (side (or (cdr (assq 'side alist)) 'bottom)))
-        (map-delete alist 'size)
-        (map-put alist (if (memq side '(left right))
+  (let ((alist  ; handle defaults
+         (cl-remove-duplicates
+          (append alist +popup-default-alist)
+          :key #'car :from-end t))
+        (parameters
+         (cl-remove-duplicates
+          (append (cdr (assq 'window-parameters alist))
+                  +popup-default-parameters)
+          :key #'car :from-end t)))
+    ;; handle `size'
+    (when-let* ((size  (cdr (assq 'size alist)))
+                (side  (or (cdr (assq 'side alist)) 'bottom))
+                (param (if (memq side '(left right))
                            'window-width
-                         'window-height)
-                 size))
-      ;;
-      (map-put alist 'window-parameters params)
-      (nreverse alist))))
+                         'window-height)))
+      (setq alist (map-delete alist 'size))
+      (map-put alist param size))
+    (setcdr (assq 'window-parameters alist)
+            (cl-remove-if #'null parameters :key #'cdr))
+    (cl-remove-if #'null alist :key #'cdr)))
 
 
 ;;
@@ -145,18 +149,21 @@ and enables `+popup-buffer-mode'."
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun +popup-buffer (buffer &optional alist)
   "Open BUFFER in a popup window. ALIST describes its features."
-  (let ((old-window (selected-window))
-        (alist (+popup--normalize-alist alist))
-        (window-min-height 3))
-    (when-let* ((new-window (run-hook-with-args-until-success
-                             '+popup-display-buffer-actions buffer alist)))
-      (+popup--init new-window alist)
+  (let* ((origin (selected-window))
+         (window-min-height 3)
+         (alist (+popup--normalize-alist alist))
+         (actions (or (cdr (assq 'actions alist))
+                      +popup-default-display-buffer-actions)))
+    (when-let* ((popup (cl-loop for func in actions
+                                if (funcall func buffer alist)
+                                return it)))
+      (+popup--init popup alist)
       (unless +popup--inhibit-select
-        (let ((select (+popup-parameter 'select new-window)))
+        (let ((select (+popup-parameter 'select popup)))
           (if (functionp select)
-              (funcall select new-window old-window)
-            (select-window (if select new-window old-window)))))
-      new-window)))
+              (funcall select popup origin)
+            (select-window (if select popup origin)))))
+      popup)))
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun +popup-parameter (parameter &optional window)
@@ -188,70 +195,6 @@ Uses `shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer'."
     (shrink-window-if-larger-than-buffer window)))
 
 
-;;
-;; Minor mode
-;;
-
-;;;###autoload
-(defvar +popup-mode-map (make-sparse-keymap)
-  "Active keymap in a session with the popup system enabled. See
-`+popup-mode'.")
-
-;;;###autoload
-(defvar +popup-buffer-mode-map
-  (let ((map (make-sparse-keymap)))
-    (when (featurep! :feature evil)
-      ;; for maximum escape coverage in emacs state buffers
-      (define-key map [escape] #'doom/escape)
-      (define-key map (kbd "ESC") #'doom/escape))
-    map)
-  "Active keymap in popup windows. See `+popup-buffer-mode'.")
-
-;;;###autoload
-(define-minor-mode +popup-mode
-  "Global minor mode representing Doom's popup management system."
-  :init-value nil
-  :global t
-  :keymap +popup-mode-map
-  (cond (+popup-mode
-         (add-hook 'doom-unreal-buffer-functions #'+popup-buffer-p)
-         (add-hook 'doom-escape-hook #'+popup|close-on-escape t)
-         (add-hook 'doom-cleanup-hook #'+popup|cleanup-rules)
-         (add-hook 'after-change-major-mode-hook #'+popup|set-modeline-on-enable)
-         (setq +popup--old-display-buffer-alist display-buffer-alist
-               display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist
-               window--sides-inhibit-check t)
-         (dolist (prop +popup-window-parameters)
-           (push (cons prop 'writable) window-persistent-parameters)))
-        (t
-         (remove-hook 'doom-unreal-buffer-functions #'+popup-buffer-p)
-         (remove-hook 'doom-escape-hook #'+popup|close-on-escape)
-         (remove-hook 'doom-cleanup-hook #'+popup|cleanup-rules)
-         (remove-hook 'after-change-major-mode-hook #'+popup|set-modeline-on-enable)
-         (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--old-display-buffer-alist
-               window--sides-inhibit-check nil)
-         (+popup|cleanup-rules)
-         (dolist (prop +popup-window-parameters)
-           (setq window-persistent-parameters
-                 (map-delete window-persistent-parameters prop))))))
-
-;;;###autoload
-(define-minor-mode +popup-buffer-mode
-  "Minor mode for individual popup windows.
-
-It is enabled when a buffer is displayed in a popup window and disabled when
-that window has been changed or closed."
-  :init-value nil
-  :keymap +popup-buffer-mode-map
-  (when (and +popup-buffer-mode (timerp +popup--timer))
-    (remove-hook 'kill-buffer-hook #'+popup|kill-buffer-hook t)
-    (cancel-timer +popup--timer)
-    (setq +popup--timer nil)))
-
-(put '+popup-buffer-mode 'permanent-local t)
-(put '+popup-buffer-mode 'permanent-local-hook t)
-
-
 ;;
 ;; Hooks
 ;;
@@ -289,6 +232,7 @@ restoring it if `+popup-buffer-mode' is disabled."
             ((symbolp modeline)
              (when-let* ((hide-mode-line-format (doom-modeline modeline)))
                (hide-mode-line-mode +1)))))))
+(put '+popup|set-modeline-on-enable 'permanent-local-hook t)
 
 ;;;###autoload
 (defun +popup|unset-modeline-on-disable ()
@@ -416,53 +360,11 @@ the message buffer in a popup window."
   (let ((window (selected-window))
         (buffer (current-buffer))
         +popup--remember-last)
-    (set-window-parameter window 'transient nil)
+    (set-window-parameter window 'ttl nil)
     (+popup/close window 'force)
     (display-buffer-pop-up-window buffer nil)))
 
 
-;;
-;; Macros
-;;
-
-;;;###autoload
-(defmacro with-popup-rules! (rules &rest body)
-  "Evaluate BODY with popup RULES. RULES is a list of popup rules. Each rule
-should match the arguments of `+popup-define' or the :popup setting."
-  (declare (indent defun))
-  `(let ((+popup--display-buffer-alist +popup--old-display-buffer-alist)
-         display-buffer-alist)
-     ,@(cl-loop for rule in rules collect `(set-popup-rule! ,@rule))
-     (when (bound-and-true-p +popup-mode)
-       (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist))
-     ,@body))
-
-;;;###autoload
-(defmacro without-popups! (&rest body)
-  "Run BODY with a default `display-buffer-alist', ignoring the popup rules set
-with the :popup setting."
-  `(let ((display-buffer-alist +popup--old-display-buffer-alist))
-     ,@body))
-
-;;;###autoload
-(defmacro save-popups! (&rest body)
-  "Sets aside all popups before executing the original function, usually to
-prevent the popup(s) from messing up the UI (or vice versa)."
-  `(let* ((in-popup-p (+popup-buffer-p))
-          (popups (+popup-windows))
-          (+popup--inhibit-transient t)
-          +popup--last)
-     (dolist (p popups)
-       (+popup/close p 'force))
-     (unwind-protect
-         (progn ,@body)
-       (when popups
-         (let ((origin (selected-window)))
-           (+popup/restore)
-           (unless in-popup-p
-             (select-window origin)))))))
-
-
 ;;
 ;; Advice
 ;;
diff --git a/modules/ui/popup/autoload/settings.el b/modules/ui/popup/autoload/settings.el
index ab5f4cecd..0ff8d28b9 100644
--- a/modules/ui/popup/autoload/settings.el
+++ b/modules/ui/popup/autoload/settings.el
@@ -2,69 +2,187 @@
 
 (defvar +popup--display-buffer-alist nil)
 
-(defsubst +popup--rule (args)
-  (cl-destructuring-bind (condition &optional alist parameters) args
-    (if (eq alist :ignore)
-        (list condition nil)
-      `(,condition (+popup-buffer)
-                   ,@alist
-                   (window-parameters ,@parameters)))))
+;;;###autoload
+(defvar +popup-defaults
+  (list :side   'bottom
+        :height 0.16
+        :width  40
+        :quit   t
+        :select #'ignore
+        :ttl    5)
+  "Default setup for `set-popup-rule!' ")
 
-(defun +popup--define (condition &optional alist parameters)
-  (when after-init-time
-    (setq +popup--display-buffer-alist
-          (map-delete +popup--display-buffer-alist condition)))
-  (push (+popup--rule (list condition alist parameters))
-        +popup--display-buffer-alist))
+;;;###autoload
+(defun +popup--make (predicate plist)
+  (cond ((not (keywordp (car plist)))
+         ;; FIXME deprecated popup rule support
+         (message "Warning: the old usage of `set-popup-rule!' is deprecated; update the rule for '%s'"
+                  predicate)
+         (cl-destructuring-bind (condition &optional alist parameters)
+             (list predicate (car plist) (cadr plist))
+           (if (eq alist :ignore)
+               (list condition nil)
+             `(,condition (+popup-buffer)
+                          ,@alist
+                          (window-parameters ,@parameters)))))
+        ((plist-get plist :ignore)
+         (list predicate nil))
+        ((let* ((plist (append plist +popup-defaults))
+                (alist
+                 `((actions       . ,(plist-get plist :actions))
+                   (side          . ,(plist-get plist :side))
+                   (size          . ,(plist-get plist :size))
+                   (window-width  . ,(plist-get plist :width))
+                   (window-height . ,(plist-get plist :height))
+                   (slot          . ,(plist-get plist :slot))
+                   (vslot         . ,(plist-get plist :vslot))))
+                (params
+                 `((ttl      . ,(plist-get plist :ttl))
+                   (quit     . ,(plist-get plist :quit))
+                   (select   . ,(plist-get plist :select))
+                   (modeline . ,(plist-get plist :modeline))
+                   (autosave . ,(plist-get plist :autosave))
+                   ,@(plist-get plist :parameters))))
+           `(,predicate (+popup-buffer)
+                        ,@alist
+                        (window-parameters ,@params))))))
 
 ;;;###autodef
-(defun set-popup-rule! (condition &optional alist parameters)
+(defun set-popup-rule! (predicate &rest plist)
   "Define a popup rule.
 
-CONDITION can be a regexp string or a function.
-
-For ALIST, see `display-buffer' and `display-buffer-alist' for a list of
-possible entries, which instruct the display system how to initialize the popup
-window.
-
-ALIST also supports the `size' parameter, which will be translated to
-`window-width' or `window-height' depending on `side'.
-
-PARAMETERS is an alist of window parameters. See `+popup-window-parameters' for
-a list of custom parameters provided by the popup module. If certain
-attributes/parameters are omitted, the ones from `+popup-default-alist' and
-`+popup-default-parameters' will be used.
-
-The buffers of new windows displayed by `pop-to-buffer' and `display-buffer'
-will be tested against CONDITION, which is either a) a regexp string (which is
+Buffers displayed by `pop-to-buffer' and `display-buffer' (or their siblings)
+will be tested against PREDICATE, which is either a) a regexp string (which is
 matched against the buffer's name) or b) a function that takes no arguments and
 returns a boolean.
 
-See `def-popups!' for defining multiple rules in bulk."
+Buffers displayed with `switch-to-buffer' and its variants will not be affected
+by these rules (as they are unaffected by `display-buffer-alist', which powers
+the popup management system).
+
+PLIST can be made up of any of the following properties:
+
+:actions ACTIONS
+  ACTIONS is a list of functions or an alist containing (FUNCTION . ALIST). See
+  `display-buffer''s second argument for more information on its format and what
+  it accepts. If omitted, `+popup-default-display-buffer-actions' is used.
+
+:side 'bottom|'top|'left|'right
+  Which side of the frame to open the popup on. This is only respected if
+  `+popup-display-buffer-stacked-side-window' or `display-buffer-in-side-window'
+  is in :actions or `+popup-default-display-buffer-actions'.
+
+:size/:width/:height FLOAT|INT
+  Determines the size of the popup. If opened at the top or bottom, the width is
+  irrelevant unless it is opened in an adjacent slot. Same deal with the left
+  and right side.
+
+  If given a FLOAT (0 < x < 1), the number represents how much of the window
+    will be consumed by the popup (a percentage).
+  If given an INT, the number determines the size in lines (height) or units of
+    character width (width).
+
+:slot/:vslot INT
+  This only applies to popups with a :side. For popups opened at the top or
+  bottom, slot designates the horizontal positioning of a popup. If two popups
+  are assigned the same slot (and same vslot), the later popup will replace the
+  earlier one. If the later popup has a lower slot, it will open to the older
+  popup's left. A higher slot opens it to the old popup's right.
+
+  On the other hand, vslot operates the same way, but controls how popups are
+  stacked.
+
+  When a popup is opened on the left and right, slot determines vertical
+  position and vslot horizontal.
+
+:ttl INT|BOOL|FN
+  Stands for time-to-live. CDR can be t, an integer, nil or a function that
+  returns one of these. It represents the number of seconds before the buffer
+  belonging to a closed popup window is killed.
+
+  If t, CDR will default to `+popup-ttl'.
+  If 0, the buffer is immediately killed.
+  If nil, the buffer won't be killed.
+  If a function, it must return one of the other possible values above. It takes
+    the popup buffer as its sole argument.
+
+:quit BOOL|FN
+  CDR can be t, 'other, 'current, nil, or a function that returns one of these.
+  This determines the behavior of the ESC/C-g keys in or outside of popup
+  windows.
+
+  If t, close the popup if ESC/C-g is pressed inside or outside of popups.
+  If 'other, close this popup if ESC/C-g is pressed outside of any popup. This
+    is great for popups you just want to peek at and discard, but might also
+    want to poke around in, without the risk of closing it from the inside.
+  If 'current, close the current popup if ESC/C-g is pressed from inside of the
+    popup.
+  If nil, pressing ESC/C-g will never close this buffer.
+  If a function, it is checked each time ESC/C-g is pressed to determine the
+    fate of the popup window. This function takes one argument: the popup window
+    and must return one of the other possible values.
+
+:select BOOL|FN
+  CDR can be a boolean or function. The boolean determines whether to focus the
+  popup window after it opens (non-nil) or focus the origin window (nil).
+
+  If a function, it takes two arguments: the popup window and the source window
+  (where you were before the popup was opened). It does nothing else, and
+  ignores its return value.
+
+:modeline BOOL|SYMBOL|FN
+  CDR can be t (show the default modeline), a symbol representing the name of a
+  modeline defined with `def-modeline!', nil (show no modeline) or a function
+  that returns one of these. The function takes one argument: the popup buffer.
+
+:autosave BOOL|FN
+  This parameter determines what to do with modified buffers in closing popup
+  windows. CDR can be a t, 'ignore, a function or nil.
+
+  If t, no prompts. Just save them automatically (if they're file-visiting
+    buffers).
+  If 'ignore, no prompts, no saving. Just silently kill it.
+  If nil (the default), prompt the user what to do if the buffer is
+    file-visiting and modified.
+  If a function, the return value must return one of the other values. It takes
+    two arguments: the popup window and buffer.
+
+:parameters ALIST
+  An alist of custom window parameters. See \(info window-parameters)
+
+If any of these are omitted, defaults derived from `+popup-defaults' will be
+used."
   (declare (indent defun))
-  (+popup--define condition alist parameters)
+  (push (+popup--make predicate plist) +popup--display-buffer-alist)
   (when (bound-and-true-p +popup-mode)
     (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist))
   +popup--display-buffer-alist)
 
 ;;;###autodef
 (defun set-popup-rules! (&rest rulesets)
-  "Define multiple popup rules. See `def-popup!' for the specifications of each
-individual rule.
+  "Like `set-popup-rules!', but defines multiple popup rules. Every entry in RULESETS
+should be a list of lists (each sublist is a popup rule that could be passed to
+`set-popup-rule!').
 
- (set-popup-rules!
-   '((\"^ \\*\" ((slot . 1) (vslot . -1) (size . +popup-shrink-to-fit)))
-     (\"^\\*\"  ((slot . 1) (vslot . -1)) ((select . t)))))"
-  (dolist (ruleset rulesets)
-    (dolist (rule ruleset)
-      (apply #'+popup--define rule)))
+Example:
+
+  (set-popup-rules!
+    '((\"^ \\*\" :slot 1 :vslot -1 :size #'+popup-shrink-to-fit)
+      (\"^\\*\"  :slot 1 :vslot -1 :select t))
+    '((\"^\\*Completions\" :slot -1 :vslot -2 :ttl 0)
+      (\"^\\*Compil\\(?:ation\\|e-Log\\)\" :size 0.3 :ttl 0 :quit t)))"
+  (declare (indent 0))
+  (dolist (rules rulesets)
+    (dolist (rule rules)
+      (push (+popup--make (car rule) (cdr rule))
+            +popup--display-buffer-alist)))
   (when (bound-and-true-p +popup-mode)
     (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist))
   +popup--display-buffer-alist)
 
 
 ;;
-;; Obsolete
+;; Obsolete settings
 ;;
 
 ;; FIXME obsolete :popup
diff --git a/modules/ui/popup/config.el b/modules/ui/popup/config.el
index 3e020c3a9..7e89c04df 100644
--- a/modules/ui/popup/config.el
+++ b/modules/ui/popup/config.el
@@ -1,151 +1,160 @@
 ;;; ui/popup/config.el -*- lexical-binding: t; -*-
 
-(defconst +popup-window-parameters
-  '(transient quit select modeline popup)
+(defconst +popup-window-parameters '(ttl quit select modeline popup)
   "A list of custom parameters to be added to `window-persistent-parameters'.
-Modifying this has no effect, unless done before ui/popup loads.
+Modifying this has no effect, unless done before ui/popup loads.")
 
-(transient . CDR)
-  CDR can be t, an integer, nil or a function that returns one of these. It
-  represents the number of seconds before the buffer belonging to a closed popup
-  window is killed.
-
-  If t, CDR will default to `+popup-ttl'.
-  If 0, the buffer is immediately killed.
-  If nil, the buffer won't be killed.
-  If a function, it must return one of the other possible values above. It takes
-    the popup buffer as its sole argument.
-
-(quit . CDR)
-  CDR can be t, 'other, 'current, nil, or a function that returns one of these.
-  This determines the behavior of the ESC/C-g keys in or outside of popup
-  windows.
-
-  If t, close the popup if ESC/C-g is pressed inside or outside of popups.
-  If 'other, close this popup if ESC/C-g is pressed outside of any popup. This
-    is great for popups you just want to peek at and discard, but might also
-    want to poke around in, without the risk of closing it from the inside.
-  If 'current, close the current popup if ESC/C-g is pressed from inside of the
-    popup.
-  If nil, pressing ESC/C-g will never close this buffer.
-  If a function, it is checked each time ESC/C-g is pressed to determine the
-    fate of the popup window. This function takes one argument: the popup
-    window and must return one of the other possible values.
-
-(select . CDR)
-  CDR can be a boolean or function. The boolean determines whether to focus the
-  popup window after it opens (non-nil) or focus the origin window (nil).
-
-  If a function, it takes two arguments: the popup window and the source window
-  (where you were before the popup was opened). It does nothing else, and
-  ignores its return value.
-
-(modeline . CDR)
-  CDR can be t (show the default modeline), a symbol representing the name of a
-  modeline defined with `def-modeline!', nil (show no modeline) or a function
-  that returns one of these. The function takes one argument: the popup buffer.
-
-(autosave . CDR)
-  This parameter determines what to do with modified buffers in closing popup
-  windows. CDR can be a t, 'ignore, a function or nil.
-
-  If t, no prompts. Just save them automatically (if they're file-visiting
-    buffers).
-  If 'ignore, no prompts, no saving. Just silently kill it.
-  If nil (the default), prompt the user what to do if the buffer is
-    file-visiting and modified.
-  If a function, the return value must return one of the other values. It takes
-    two arguments: the popup window and buffer.
-
-(popup . t)
-  This is for internal use, do not change this. It simply marks a window as a
-  popup window.
-
-Since I can't find this information anywhere but the Emacs manual, I'll include
-a brief description of some native window parameters that Emacs uses:
-
-(delete-window . CDR)
-(delete-other-window . CDR)
-(split-window . CDR)
-(other-window . CDR)
-  This applies to all four of the above: CDR can be t or a function. If t, using
-  those functions on this window will ignore all window parameters.
-
-  If CDR is a function, it will replace the native function when used on this
-  window. e.g. if CDR is #'ignore (delete-window popup) will run (ignore popup)
-  instead of deleting the window!
-(no-other-window . BOOL)
-  If CDR is non-nil, this window becomes invisible to `other-window' and
-  `pop-to-buffer'. Doom popups sets this. The default is nil.")
-
-(defvar +popup-display-buffer-actions
+(defvar +popup-default-display-buffer-actions
   '(display-buffer-reuse-window +popup-display-buffer-stacked-side-window)
   "The functions to use to display the popup buffer.")
 
 (defvar +popup-default-alist
-  '((window-height . 0.16)
+  '((window-height . 0.16) ; remove later
     (reusable-frames . visible))
   "The default alist for `display-buffer-alist' rules.")
 
 (defvar +popup-default-parameters
-  '((transient . t)
-    (quit . t)
-    (select . ignore)
+  '((transient . t)   ; remove later
+    (quit . t)        ; remove later
+    (select . ignore) ; remove later
     (no-other-window . t))
   "The default window parameters.")
 
-(defvar +popup-ttl 5
-  "The default time-to-live for transient buffers whose popup buffers have been
-deleted.")
-
 (defvar +popup-margin-width 1
   "Size of the margins to give popup windows. Set this to nil to disable margin
 adjustment.")
 
 
+;;
+;; Global modes
+;;
+
+(defvar +popup-mode-map (make-sparse-keymap)
+  "Active keymap in a session with the popup system enabled. See
+`+popup-mode'.")
+
+(defvar +popup-buffer-mode-map
+  (let ((map (make-sparse-keymap)))
+    (when (featurep! :feature evil)
+      ;; for maximum escape coverage in emacs state buffers
+      (define-key map [escape] #'doom/escape)
+      (define-key map (kbd "ESC") #'doom/escape))
+    map)
+  "Active keymap in popup windows. See `+popup-buffer-mode'.")
+
+(define-minor-mode +popup-mode
+  "Global minor mode representing Doom's popup management system."
+  :init-value nil
+  :global t
+  :keymap +popup-mode-map
+  (cond (+popup-mode
+         (add-hook 'doom-escape-hook #'+popup|close-on-escape t)
+         (add-hook 'doom-cleanup-hook #'+popup|cleanup-rules)
+         (setq +popup--old-display-buffer-alist display-buffer-alist
+               display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist
+               window--sides-inhibit-check t)
+         (dolist (prop +popup-window-parameters)
+           (push (cons prop 'writable) window-persistent-parameters)))
+        (t
+         (remove-hook 'doom-escape-hook #'+popup|close-on-escape)
+         (remove-hook 'doom-cleanup-hook #'+popup|cleanup-rules)
+         (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--old-display-buffer-alist
+               window--sides-inhibit-check nil)
+         (+popup|cleanup-rules)
+         (dolist (prop +popup-window-parameters)
+           (setq window-persistent-parameters
+                 (map-delete window-persistent-parameters prop))))))
+
+(define-minor-mode +popup-buffer-mode
+  "Minor mode for individual popup windows.
+
+It is enabled when a buffer is displayed in a popup window and disabled when
+that window has been changed or closed."
+  :init-value nil
+  :keymap +popup-buffer-mode-map
+  (if (not +popup-buffer-mode)
+      (remove-hook 'after-change-major-mode-hook #'+popup|set-modeline-on-enable t)
+    (add-hook 'after-change-major-mode-hook #'+popup|set-modeline-on-enable nil t)
+    (when (timerp +popup--timer)
+      (remove-hook 'kill-buffer-hook #'+popup|kill-buffer-hook t)
+      (cancel-timer +popup--timer)
+      (setq +popup--timer nil))))
+
+(put '+popup-buffer-mode 'permanent-local t)
+(put '+popup-buffer-mode 'permanent-local-hook t)
+(put '+popup|set-modeline-on-enable 'permanent-local-hook t)
+
+
+;;
+;; Macros
+;;
+
+(defmacro with-popup-rules! (rules &rest body)
+  "Evaluate BODY with popup RULES. RULES is a list of popup rules. Each rule
+should match the arguments of `+popup-define' or the :popup setting."
+  (declare (indent defun))
+  `(let ((+popup--display-buffer-alist +popup--old-display-buffer-alist)
+         display-buffer-alist)
+     (set-popup-rules! ,@rules)
+     (when (bound-and-true-p +popup-mode)
+       (setq display-buffer-alist +popup--display-buffer-alist))
+     ,@body))
+
+(defmacro save-popups! (&rest body)
+  "Sets aside all popups before executing the original function, usually to
+prevent the popup(s) from messing up the UI (or vice versa)."
+  `(let* ((in-popup-p (+popup-buffer-p))
+          (popups (+popup-windows))
+          (+popup--inhibit-transient t)
+          +popup--last)
+     (dolist (p popups)
+       (+popup/close p 'force))
+     (unwind-protect
+         (progn ,@body)
+       (when popups
+         (let ((origin (selected-window)))
+           (+popup/restore)
+           (unless in-popup-p
+             (select-window origin)))))))
+
+
 ;;
 ;; Default popup rules & bootstrap
 ;;
 
 (set-popup-rules!
   (when (featurep! +all)
-    '(("^\\*"  ((slot . 1) (vslot . -1)) ((select . t)))
-      ("^ \\*" ((slot . 1) (vslot . -1) (size . +popup-shrink-to-fit)))))
+    '(("^\\*"  :slot 1 :vslot -1 :select t)
+      ("^ \\*" :slot 1 :vslot -1 :size +popup-shrink-to-fit)))
   (when (featurep! +defaults)
     '(("^\\*Completions"
-       ((slot . -1) (vslot . -2))
-       ((transient . 0)))
+       :slot -1 :vslot -2 :ttl 0)
       ("^\\*Compil\\(?:ation\\|e-Log\\)"
-       ((size . 0.3))
-       ((transient . 0) (quit . t)))
+       :size 0.3 :ttl 0 :quit t)
       ("^\\*\\(?:scratch\\|Messages\\)"
-       nil
-       ((autosave . t) (transient)))
+       :autosave t :ttl nil)
+      ("^\\*Man "
+       :size 0.45 :vslot -6 :ttl 0 :quit t :select t)
       ("^\\*doom \\(?:term\\|eshell\\)"
-       ((size . 0.25) (vslot . -10))
-       ((select . t) (quit) (transient . 0)))
+       :size 0.25 :vslot -10 :select t :quit nil :ttl 0)
       ("^\\*doom:"
-       ((size . 0.35) (side . bottom))
-       ((autosave . t) (select . t) (modeline . t) (quit) (transient . t)))
+       :size 0.35 :size bottom :autosave t :select t :modeline t :quit nil)
       ("^\\*\\(?:\\(?:Pp E\\|doom e\\)val\\)"
-       ((size . +popup-shrink-to-fit))
-       ((transient . 0) (select . ignore)))
+       :size +popup-shrink-to-fit :ttl 0 :select ignore)
       ("^\\*Customize"
-       ((slot . 2) (side . right))
-       ((modeline . nil) (select . t) (quit . t)))
+       :slot 2 :side right :select t :quit t)
       ("^ \\*undo-tree\\*"
-       ((slot . 2) (side . left) (size . 20))
-       ((modeline . nil) (select . t) (quit . t)))
+       :slot 2 :side left :size 20 :select t :quit t)
       ;; `help-mode', `helpful-mode'
       ("^\\*[Hh]elp"
-       ((slot . 2) (vslot . 2) (size . 0.25))
-       ((select . t)))
+       :slot 2 :vslot 2 :size 0.35 :select t)
       ;; `Info-mode'
       ("^\\*info\\*$"
-       ((slot . 2) (vslot . 2) (size . 0.45))
-       ((select . t))))))
+       :slot 2 :vslot 2 :size 0.45 :select t)))
+  '(("^\\*Backtrace" :ignore t)))
+
+(add-hook 'doom-init-ui-hook #'+popup-mode :append)
 
-(add-hook 'doom-init-ui-hook #'+popup-mode)
 (add-hook! '+popup-buffer-mode-hook
   #'(+popup|adjust-fringes
      +popup|adjust-margins
@@ -157,5 +166,4 @@ adjustment.")
 ;; Hacks
 ;;
 
-(when (featurep! +defaults)
-  (load! "+hacks"))
+(load! "+hacks")