diff --git a/espanso/src/cli/daemon/keyboard_layout_watcher.rs b/espanso/src/cli/daemon/keyboard_layout_watcher.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9224352
--- /dev/null
+++ b/espanso/src/cli/daemon/keyboard_layout_watcher.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,72 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of espanso.
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2019-2021 Federico Terzi
+ *
+ * espanso is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * espanso is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with espanso.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+use anyhow::Result;
+use crossbeam::channel::Sender;
+use log::{error, debug};
+
+const WATCHER_INTERVAL: u64 = 1000;
+
+pub fn initialize_and_spawn(watcher_notify: Sender<()>) -> Result<()> {
+  // On Windows and macOS we don't need to restart espanso when the layout changes
+  if !cfg!(target_os = "linux") {
+    return Ok(());
+  }
+
+  std::thread::Builder::new()
+    .name("keyboard_layout_watcher".to_string())
+    .spawn(move || {
+      watcher_main(&watcher_notify);
+    })?;
+
+  Ok(())
+}
+
+fn watcher_main(watcher_notify: &Sender<()>) {
+  let layout = espanso_detect::get_active_layout();
+
+  if layout.is_none() {
+    error!("unable to start keyboard layout watcher, as espanso couldn't determine active layout.");
+    return;
+  }
+
+  let mut layout = layout.expect("missing active layout");
+
+  loop {
+    std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(WATCHER_INTERVAL));
+
+    if let Some(current_layout) = espanso_detect::get_active_layout() {
+      if current_layout != layout {
+        debug!(
+          "detected keyboard layout change: from {} to {}",
+          layout, current_layout
+        );
+
+        if let Err(error) = watcher_notify.send(()) {
+          error!("unable to send keyboard layout changed event: {}", error);
+        }
+
+        layout = current_layout;
+      }
+    } else {
+      error!("keyboard layout watcher couldn't determine active layout");
+      break;
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/espanso/src/cli/daemon/mod.rs b/espanso/src/cli/daemon/mod.rs
index e212a45..7355a69 100644
--- a/espanso/src/cli/daemon/mod.rs
+++ b/espanso/src/cli/daemon/mod.rs
@@ -24,10 +24,12 @@ use crossbeam::{
   select,
 };
 use espanso_ipc::IPCClient;
+use espanso_path::Paths;
 use log::{error, info, warn};
 
 use crate::{
   cli::util::CommandExt,
+  common_flags::{*},
   exit_code::{
     DAEMON_ALREADY_RUNNING, DAEMON_FATAL_CONFIG_ERROR, DAEMON_GENERAL_ERROR,
     DAEMON_LEGACY_ALREADY_RUNNING, DAEMON_SUCCESS, WORKER_EXIT_ALL_PROCESSES, WORKER_RESTART,
@@ -41,6 +43,7 @@ use crate::{
 use super::{CliModule, CliModuleArgs, PathsOverrides};
 
 mod ipc;
+mod keyboard_layout_watcher;
 mod troubleshoot;
 mod watcher;
 
@@ -91,6 +94,10 @@ fn daemon_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
   watcher::initialize_and_spawn(&paths.config, watcher_notify)
     .expect("unable to initialize config watcher thread");
 
+  let (keyboard_layout_watcher_notify, keyboard_layout_watcher_signal) = unbounded::<()>();
+  keyboard_layout_watcher::initialize_and_spawn(keyboard_layout_watcher_notify)
+    .expect("unable to initialize keyboard layout watcher thread");
+
   let config_store =
     match troubleshoot::load_config_or_troubleshoot_until_config_is_correct_or_abort(
       &paths,
@@ -116,13 +123,10 @@ fn daemon_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
 
   // TODO: register signals to terminate the worker if the daemon terminates
 
-  let mut worker_run_count = 0;
-
   spawn_worker(
     &paths_overrides,
     exit_notify.clone(),
-    &mut worker_run_count,
-    false,
+    None
   );
 
   ipc::initialize_and_spawn(&paths.runtime, exit_notify.clone())
@@ -156,40 +160,13 @@ fn daemon_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
         };
 
         if should_restart_worker {
-          match create_ipc_client_to_worker(&paths.runtime) {
-            Ok(mut worker_ipc) => {
-              if let Err(err) = worker_ipc.send_async(IPCEvent::Exit) {
-                error!(
-                  "unable to send termination signal to worker process: {}",
-                  err
-                );
-              }
-            }
-            Err(err) => {
-              error!("could not establish IPC connection with worker: {}", err);
-            }
-          }
-
-          // Wait until the worker process has terminated
-          let start = Instant::now();
-          let mut has_timed_out = true;
-          while start.elapsed() < std::time::Duration::from_secs(30) {
-            let lock_file = acquire_worker_lock(&paths.runtime);
-            if lock_file.is_some() {
-              has_timed_out = false;
-              break;
-            }
-
-            std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100));
-          }
-
-          if !has_timed_out {
-            spawn_worker(&paths_overrides, exit_notify.clone(), &mut worker_run_count, false);
-          } else {
-            error!("could not restart worker, as the exit process has timed out");
-          }
+          restart_worker(&paths, &paths_overrides, exit_notify.clone(), Some(WORKER_START_REASON_CONFIG_CHANGED.to_string()));
         }
       }
+      recv(keyboard_layout_watcher_signal) -> _ => {
+        info!("keyboard layout change detected, restarting worker...");
+        restart_worker(&paths, &paths_overrides, exit_notify.clone(), Some(WORKER_START_REASON_KEYBOARD_LAYOUT_CHANGED.to_string()));
+      }
       recv(exit_signal) -> code => {
         match code {
           Ok(code) => {
@@ -200,7 +177,7 @@ fn daemon_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
               }
               WORKER_RESTART => {
                 info!("worker requested a restart, spawning a new one...");
-                spawn_worker(&paths_overrides, exit_notify.clone(), &mut worker_run_count, true);
+                spawn_worker(&paths_overrides, exit_notify.clone(), Some(WORKER_START_REASON_MANUAL.to_string()));
               }
               _ => {
                 error!("received unexpected exit code from worker {}, exiting", code);
@@ -260,8 +237,7 @@ fn terminate_worker_if_already_running(runtime_dir: &Path) {
 fn spawn_worker(
   paths_overrides: &PathsOverrides,
   exit_notify: Sender<i32>,
-  worker_run_count: &mut i32,
-  manual_start: bool,
+  start_reason: Option<String>,
 ) {
   info!("spawning the worker process...");
 
@@ -270,23 +246,19 @@ fn spawn_worker(
 
   let mut command = Command::new(&espanso_exe_path.to_string_lossy().to_string());
 
-  let string_worker_run_count = format!("{}", worker_run_count);
   let mut args = vec![
     "worker",
     "--monitor-daemon",
-    "--run-count",
-    &string_worker_run_count,
   ];
-  if manual_start {
-    args.push("--manual");
+  if let Some(start_reason) = &start_reason {
+    args.push("--start-reason");
+    args.push(&start_reason);
   }
   command.args(&args);
   command.with_paths_overrides(paths_overrides);
 
   let mut child = command.spawn().expect("unable to spawn worker process");
 
-  *worker_run_count += 1;
-
   // Create a monitor thread that will exit with the same non-zero code if
   // the worker thread exits
   std::thread::Builder::new()
@@ -305,3 +277,47 @@ fn spawn_worker(
     })
     .expect("Unable to spawn worker monitor thread");
 }
+
+fn restart_worker(
+  paths: &Paths,
+  paths_overrides: &PathsOverrides,
+  exit_notify: Sender<i32>,
+  start_reason: Option<String>,
+) {
+  match create_ipc_client_to_worker(&paths.runtime) {
+    Ok(mut worker_ipc) => {
+      if let Err(err) = worker_ipc.send_async(IPCEvent::Exit) {
+        error!(
+          "unable to send termination signal to worker process: {}",
+          err
+        );
+      }
+    }
+    Err(err) => {
+      error!("could not establish IPC connection with worker: {}", err);
+    }
+  }
+
+  // Wait until the worker process has terminated
+  let start = Instant::now();
+  let mut has_timed_out = true;
+  while start.elapsed() < std::time::Duration::from_secs(30) {
+    let lock_file = acquire_worker_lock(&paths.runtime);
+    if lock_file.is_some() {
+      has_timed_out = false;
+      break;
+    }
+
+    std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(100));
+  }
+
+  if !has_timed_out {
+    spawn_worker(
+      &paths_overrides,
+      exit_notify,
+      start_reason,
+    );
+  } else {
+    error!("could not restart worker, as the exit process has timed out");
+  }
+}
diff --git a/espanso/src/cli/worker/engine/mod.rs b/espanso/src/cli/worker/engine/mod.rs
index b4f53a5..e3cd7bf 100644
--- a/espanso/src/cli/worker/engine/mod.rs
+++ b/espanso/src/cli/worker/engine/mod.rs
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ use crate::{cli::worker::{context::Context, engine::{dispatch::executor::{clipbo
           extension::{clipboard::ClipboardAdapter, form::FormProviderAdapter},
           RendererAdapter,
         },
-      }}, match_cache::{CombinedMatchCache, MatchCache}}, engine::event::ExitMode, preferences::Preferences};
+      }}, match_cache::{CombinedMatchCache, MatchCache}}, common_flags::WORKER_START_REASON_CONFIG_CHANGED, engine::event::ExitMode, preferences::Preferences};
 
 use super::secure_input::SecureInputEvent;
 
@@ -60,8 +60,7 @@ pub fn initialize_and_spawn(
   ui_event_receiver: Receiver<UIEvent>,
   secure_input_receiver: Receiver<SecureInputEvent>,
   use_evdev_backend: bool,
-  run_count: i32,
-  has_been_started_manually: bool,
+  start_reason: Option<String>,
 ) -> Result<JoinHandle<ExitMode>> {
   let handle = std::thread::Builder::new()
     .name("engine thread".to_string())
@@ -213,22 +212,24 @@ pub fn initialize_and_spawn(
       }
 
       // TODO: check config
-      match run_count {
-        0 => {
+      match start_reason.as_deref() {
+        Some(flag) if flag == WORKER_START_REASON_CONFIG_CHANGED => {
+          ui_remote.show_notification("Configuration reloaded! Espanso automatically loads new changes as soon as you save them.");
+        }
+        Some("manual_restart") => {
+          ui_remote.show_notification("Configuration reloaded!");
+        }
+        Some("keyboard_layout_changed") => {
+          ui_remote.show_notification("Updated keyboard layout!");
+        }
+        _ => {
           ui_remote.show_notification("Espanso is running!");
           
           if !preferences.has_displayed_welcome() {
             super::ui::welcome::show_welcome_screen();
             preferences.set_has_displayed_welcome(true);
           }
-        },
-        n => {
-          if has_been_started_manually {
-            ui_remote.show_notification("Configuration reloaded!");
-          } else if n == 1 {
-            ui_remote.show_notification("Configuration reloaded! Espanso automatically loads new changes as soon as you save them.");
-          }
-        },
+        }
       }
 
       let mut engine = crate::engine::Engine::new(&funnel, &mut processor, &dispatcher);
diff --git a/espanso/src/cli/worker/mod.rs b/espanso/src/cli/worker/mod.rs
index 0420479..b7c0b26 100644
--- a/espanso/src/cli/worker/mod.rs
+++ b/espanso/src/cli/worker/mod.rs
@@ -61,15 +61,11 @@ fn worker_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
   let paths = args.paths.expect("missing paths in worker main");
   let cli_args = args.cli_args.expect("missing cli_args in worker main");
 
-  // This number is passed by the daemon and incremented at each worker
-  // restart.
-  let run_count = cli_args
-    .value_of("run-count")
-    .map(|val| val.parse::<i32>().unwrap_or(0))
-    .unwrap_or(0);
-  debug!("starting with run-count = {:?}", cli_args);
-
-  let has_been_started_manually = cli_args.is_present("manual");
+  // When restarted, the daemon passes the reason why the worker was restarted (config_change, etc)
+  let start_reason = cli_args
+    .value_of("start-reason")
+    .map(String::from);
+  debug!("starting with start-reason = {:?}", start_reason);
 
   // Avoid running multiple worker instances
   let lock_file = acquire_worker_lock(&paths.runtime);
@@ -132,8 +128,7 @@ fn worker_main(args: CliModuleArgs) -> i32 {
     engine_ui_event_receiver,
     engine_secure_input_receiver,
     use_evdev_backend,
-    run_count,
-    has_been_started_manually,
+    start_reason,
   )
   .expect("unable to initialize engine");
 
diff --git a/espanso/src/common_flags.rs b/espanso/src/common_flags.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3255d6b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/espanso/src/common_flags.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+/*
+ * This file is part of espanso.
+ *
+ * Copyright (C) 2019-2021 Federico Terzi
+ *
+ * espanso is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+ * it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+ * the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+ * (at your option) any later version.
+ *
+ * espanso is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+ * but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+ * MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.  See the
+ * GNU General Public License for more details.
+ *
+ * You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+ * along with espanso.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+ */
+
+pub const WORKER_START_REASON_MANUAL: &str = "manual_restart";
+pub const WORKER_START_REASON_CONFIG_CHANGED: &str = "config_changed";
+pub const WORKER_START_REASON_KEYBOARD_LAYOUT_CHANGED: &str = "keyboard_layout_changed";
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/espanso/src/main.rs b/espanso/src/main.rs
index 11dce8e..0a1f90c 100644
--- a/espanso/src/main.rs
+++ b/espanso/src/main.rs
@@ -40,6 +40,7 @@ use crate::{
 
 mod capabilities;
 mod cli;
+mod common_flags;
 mod config;
 mod engine;
 mod exit_code;
@@ -357,17 +358,11 @@ fn main() {
       SubCommand::with_name("worker")
         .setting(AppSettings::Hidden)
         .arg(
-          Arg::with_name("run-count")
-            .long("run-count")
+          Arg::with_name("start-reason")
+            .long("start-reason")
             .required(false)
             .takes_value(true),
         )
-        .arg(
-          Arg::with_name("manual")
-            .long("manual")
-            .required(false)
-            .takes_value(false),
-        )
         .arg(
           Arg::with_name("monitor-daemon")
             .long("monitor-daemon")