diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 63f48f6..db94656 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -17,6 +17,9 @@
 * overline: new decoration
   (https://codeberg.org/dnkl/yambar/issues/153).
 * i3/sway: boolean option `strip-workspace-numbers`.
+* font-shaping: new inheritable configuration option, allowing you to
+  configure whether strings should be _shaped_ using HarfBuzz, or not
+  (https://codeberg.org/dnkl/yambar/issues/159).
 
 
 ### Changed
diff --git a/bar/bar.h b/bar/bar.h
index c9f94f4..717b690 100644
--- a/bar/bar.h
+++ b/bar/bar.h
@@ -1,6 +1,7 @@
 #pragma once
 
 #include "../color.h"
+#include "../font-shaping.h"
 #include "../module.h"
 
 struct bar {
@@ -26,6 +27,7 @@ struct bar_config {
     const char *monitor;
     enum bar_layer layer;
     enum bar_location location;
+    enum font_shaping font_shaping;
     int height;
     int left_spacing, right_spacing;
     int left_margin, right_margin;
diff --git a/config-verify.c b/config-verify.c
index b92fb71..68a50c8 100644
--- a/config-verify.c
+++ b/config-verify.c
@@ -228,6 +228,13 @@ conf_verify_font(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
     return true;
 }
 
+bool
+conf_verify_font_shaping(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
+{
+    return conf_verify_enum(
+        chain, node, (const char *[]){"full", /*"graphemes",*/ "none"}, 2);
+}
+
 bool
 conf_verify_decoration(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node)
 {
@@ -450,6 +457,7 @@ conf_verify_bar(const struct yml_node *bar)
 
         {"border", false, &verify_bar_border},
         {"font", false, &conf_verify_font},
+        {"font-shaping", false, &conf_verify_font_shaping},
         {"foreground", false, &conf_verify_color},
 
         {"left", false, &verify_module_list},
diff --git a/config-verify.h b/config-verify.h
index 8e5ab29..0a4ae34 100644
--- a/config-verify.h
+++ b/config-verify.h
@@ -45,6 +45,7 @@ bool conf_verify_dict(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node,
 bool conf_verify_on_click(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 bool conf_verify_color(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 bool conf_verify_font(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
+bool conf_verify_font_shaping(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 
 bool conf_verify_particle(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
 bool conf_verify_particle_list_items(keychain_t *chain, const struct yml_node *node);
diff --git a/config.c b/config.c
index 580781b..d2c11a6 100644
--- a/config.c
+++ b/config.c
@@ -101,6 +101,44 @@ conf_to_font(const struct yml_node *node)
     return ret;
 }
 
+enum font_shaping
+conf_to_font_shaping(const struct yml_node *node)
+{
+    const char *v = yml_value_as_string(node);
+
+    if (strcmp(v, "none") == 0)
+        return FONT_SHAPE_NONE;
+
+    else if (strcmp(v, "graphemes") == 0) {
+        static bool have_warned = false;
+
+        if (!have_warned &&
+            !(fcft_capabilities() & FCFT_CAPABILITY_GRAPHEME_SHAPING))
+        {
+            have_warned = true;
+            LOG_WARN("cannot enable grapheme shaping; no support in fcft");
+        }
+        return FONT_SHAPE_GRAPHEMES;
+    }
+
+    else if (strcmp(v, "full") == 0) {
+        static bool have_warned = false;
+
+        if (!have_warned &&
+            !(fcft_capabilities() & FCFT_CAPABILITY_TEXT_RUN_SHAPING))
+        {
+            have_warned = true;
+            LOG_WARN("cannot enable full text shaping; no support in fcft");
+        }
+        return FONT_SHAPE_FULL;
+    }
+
+    else {
+        assert(false);
+        return FONT_SHAPE_NONE;
+    }
+}
+
 struct deco *
 conf_to_deco(const struct yml_node *node)
 {
@@ -144,7 +182,8 @@ particle_simple_list_from_config(const struct yml_node *node,
     }
 
     struct particle *common = particle_common_new(
-        0, 0, NULL, fcft_clone(inherited.font), inherited.foreground, NULL);
+        0, 0, NULL, fcft_clone(inherited.font), inherited.font_shaping,
+        inherited.foreground, NULL);
 
     return particle_list_new(common, parts, count, 0, 2);
 }
@@ -163,6 +202,7 @@ conf_to_particle(const struct yml_node *node, struct conf_inherit inherited)
     const struct yml_node *right_margin = yml_get_value(pair.value, "right-margin");
     const struct yml_node *on_click = yml_get_value(pair.value, "on-click");
     const struct yml_node *font_node = yml_get_value(pair.value, "font");
+    const struct yml_node *font_shaping_node = yml_get_value(pair.value, "font-shaping");
     const struct yml_node *foreground_node = yml_get_value(pair.value, "foreground");
     const struct yml_node *deco_node = yml_get_value(pair.value, "deco");
 
@@ -215,12 +255,14 @@ conf_to_particle(const struct yml_node *node, struct conf_inherit inherited)
      */
     struct fcft_font *font = font_node != NULL
         ? conf_to_font(font_node) : fcft_clone(inherited.font);
+    enum font_shaping font_shaping = font_shaping_node != NULL
+        ? conf_to_font_shaping(font_shaping_node) : inherited.font_shaping;
     pixman_color_t foreground = foreground_node != NULL
         ? conf_to_color(foreground_node) : inherited.foreground;
 
     /* Instantiate base/common particle */
     struct particle *common = particle_common_new(
-        left, right, on_click_templates, font, foreground, deco);
+        left, right, on_click_templates, font, font_shaping, foreground, deco);
 
     const struct particle_iface *iface = plugin_load_particle(type);
 
@@ -237,6 +279,7 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar, enum bar_backend backend)
     struct bar_config conf = {
         .backend = backend,
         .layer = BAR_LAYER_BOTTOM,
+        .font_shaping = FONT_SHAPE_FULL,
     };
 
     /*
@@ -359,6 +402,7 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar, enum bar_backend backend)
      * foreground color at top-level.
      */
     struct fcft_font *font = fcft_from_name(1, &(const char *){"sans"}, NULL);
+    enum font_shaping font_shaping = FONT_SHAPE_FULL;
     pixman_color_t foreground = {0xffff, 0xffff, 0xffff, 0xffff}; /* White */
 
     const struct yml_node *font_node = yml_get_value(bar, "font");
@@ -367,12 +411,17 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar, enum bar_backend backend)
         font = conf_to_font(font_node);
     }
 
+    const struct yml_node *font_shaping_node = yml_get_value(bar, "font-shaping");
+    if (font_shaping_node != NULL)
+        font_shaping = conf_to_font_shaping(font_shaping_node);
+
     const struct yml_node *foreground_node = yml_get_value(bar, "foreground");
     if (foreground_node != NULL)
         foreground = conf_to_color(foreground_node);
 
     struct conf_inherit inherited = {
         .font = font,
+        .font_shaping = font_shaping,
         .foreground = foreground,
     };
 
@@ -402,12 +451,15 @@ conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar, enum bar_backend backend)
                  * applied to all its particles.
                  */
                 const struct yml_node *mod_font = yml_get_value(m.value, "font");
+                const struct yml_node *mod_font_shaping = yml_get_value(m.value, "font-shaping");
                 const struct yml_node *mod_foreground = yml_get_value(
                     m.value, "foreground");
 
                 struct conf_inherit mod_inherit = {
                     .font = mod_font != NULL
                         ? conf_to_font(mod_font) : inherited.font,
+                    .font_shaping = mod_font_shaping != NULL
+                        ? conf_to_font_shaping(mod_font_shaping) : inherited.font_shaping,
                     .foreground = mod_foreground != NULL
                         ? conf_to_color(mod_foreground) : inherited.foreground,
                 };
diff --git a/config.h b/config.h
index 56f5b2e..ceb4b85 100644
--- a/config.h
+++ b/config.h
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 #include <fcft/fcft.h>
 #include "yml.h"
 #include "bar/bar.h"
+#include "font-shaping.h"
 
 struct bar;
 struct particle;
@@ -16,9 +17,11 @@ struct bar *conf_to_bar(const struct yml_node *bar, enum bar_backend backend);
 
 pixman_color_t conf_to_color(const struct yml_node *node);
 struct fcft_font *conf_to_font(const struct yml_node *node);
+enum font_shaping conf_to_font_shaping(const struct yml_node *node);
 
 struct conf_inherit {
     const struct fcft_font *font;
+    enum font_shaping font_shaping;
     pixman_color_t foreground;
 };
 
diff --git a/doc/yambar-particles.5.scd b/doc/yambar-particles.5.scd
index a633269..312fb99 100644
--- a/doc/yambar-particles.5.scd
+++ b/doc/yambar-particles.5.scd
@@ -31,6 +31,12 @@ following attributes are supported by all particles:
 :  Font to use. Note that this is an inherited attribute; i.e. you can
    set it on e.g. a _list_ particle, and it will apply to all
    particles in the list.
+|  font-shaping
+:  enum
+:  no
+:  font-shaping; one of _full_ or _none_. When set to _full_ (the
+   default), strings will be "shaped" using HarfBuzz. Requires support
+   in fcft.
 |  foreground
 :  color
 :  no
diff --git a/doc/yambar.5.scd b/doc/yambar.5.scd
index 4e70ef2..35c87b8 100644
--- a/doc/yambar.5.scd
+++ b/doc/yambar.5.scd
@@ -130,6 +130,12 @@ types that are frequently used:
    the primary font, and the rest fallback fonts. These are yambar
    custom fallback fonts that will be searched before the fontconfig
    provided fallback list.
+|  font-shaping
+:  enum
+:  no
+:  Default setting for font-shaping, for use in particles. One of
+   _full_ or _none_. When set to _full_ (the default), strings will be
+   "shaped" using HarfBuzz. Requires support in fcft.
 |  foreground
 :  color
 :  no
diff --git a/font-shaping.h b/font-shaping.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..3ae3817
--- /dev/null
+++ b/font-shaping.h
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+#pragma once
+
+enum font_shaping {
+    FONT_SHAPE_NONE,
+    FONT_SHAPE_GRAPHEMES,
+    FONT_SHAPE_FULL,
+};
diff --git a/meson.build b/meson.build
index 4a479ec..b43d3fb 100644
--- a/meson.build
+++ b/meson.build
@@ -116,6 +116,7 @@ yambar = executable(
   'config-verify.c', 'config-verify.h',
   'config.c', 'config.h',
   'decoration.h',
+  'font-shaping.h',
   'log.c', 'log.h',
   'main.c',
   'module.c', 'module.h',
diff --git a/particle.c b/particle.c
index 1b06f9a..7fd747c 100644
--- a/particle.c
+++ b/particle.c
@@ -31,14 +31,15 @@ particle_default_destroy(struct particle *particle)
 struct particle *
 particle_common_new(int left_margin, int right_margin,
                     const char **on_click_templates,
-                    struct fcft_font *font, pixman_color_t foreground,
-                    struct deco *deco)
+                    struct fcft_font *font, enum font_shaping font_shaping,
+                    pixman_color_t foreground, struct deco *deco)
 {
     struct particle *p = calloc(1, sizeof(*p));
     p->left_margin = left_margin;
     p->right_margin = right_margin;
     p->foreground = foreground;
     p->font = font;
+    p->font_shaping = font_shaping;
     p->deco = deco;
 
     if (on_click_templates != NULL) {
diff --git a/particle.h b/particle.h
index 7c5685e..bdf01f2 100644
--- a/particle.h
+++ b/particle.h
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@
 
 #include "color.h"
 #include "decoration.h"
+#include "font-shaping.h"
 #include "tag.h"
 
 enum mouse_event {
@@ -35,6 +36,7 @@ struct particle {
 
     pixman_color_t foreground;
     struct fcft_font *font;
+    enum font_shaping font_shaping;
     struct deco *deco;
 
     void (*destroy)(struct particle *particle);
@@ -61,7 +63,8 @@ struct exposable {
 
 struct particle *particle_common_new(
     int left_margin, int right_margin, const char *on_click_templates[],
-    struct fcft_font *font, pixman_color_t foreground, struct deco *deco);
+    struct fcft_font *font, enum font_shaping font_shaping,
+    pixman_color_t foreground, struct deco *deco);
 
 void particle_default_destroy(struct particle *particle);
 
@@ -82,6 +85,7 @@ void exposable_default_on_mouse(
     {"right-margin", false, &conf_verify_unsigned},     \
     {"on-click", false, &conf_verify_on_click},         \
     {"font", false, &conf_verify_font},                 \
+    {"font-shaping", false, &conf_verify_font_shaping}, \
     {"foreground", false, &conf_verify_color},          \
     {"deco", false, &conf_verify_decoration},           \
     {NULL, false, NULL}
diff --git a/particles/list.c b/particles/list.c
index e5cf883..a2c37c6 100644
--- a/particles/list.c
+++ b/particles/list.c
@@ -197,7 +197,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, struct particle *common)
          yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
     {
         parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(
-            it.node, (struct conf_inherit){common->font, common->foreground});
+            it.node, (struct conf_inherit){common->font, common->font_shaping, common->foreground});
     }
 
     return particle_list_new(common, parts, count, left_spacing, right_spacing);
diff --git a/particles/map.c b/particles/map.c
index 980bdd1..abf76a6 100644
--- a/particles/map.c
+++ b/particles/map.c
@@ -215,6 +215,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, struct particle *common)
 
     struct conf_inherit inherited = {
         .font = common->font,
+        .font_shaping = common->font_shaping,
         .foreground = common->foreground
     };
 
diff --git a/particles/progress-bar.c b/particles/progress-bar.c
index 462d536..f9e3999 100644
--- a/particles/progress-bar.c
+++ b/particles/progress-bar.c
@@ -304,6 +304,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, struct particle *common)
 
     struct conf_inherit inherited = {
         .font = common->font,
+        .font_shaping = common->font_shaping,
         .foreground = common->foreground,
     };
 
diff --git a/particles/ramp.c b/particles/ramp.c
index 7815d99..0127519 100644
--- a/particles/ramp.c
+++ b/particles/ramp.c
@@ -209,7 +209,7 @@ from_conf(const struct yml_node *node, struct particle *common)
          yml_list_next(&it), idx++)
     {
         parts[idx] = conf_to_particle(
-            it.node, (struct conf_inherit){common->font, common->foreground});
+            it.node, (struct conf_inherit){common->font, common->font_shaping, common->foreground});
     }
 
     long min_v = min != NULL ? yml_value_as_int(min) : 0;
diff --git a/particles/string.c b/particles/string.c
index c5ade9f..f1e1faf 100644
--- a/particles/string.c
+++ b/particles/string.c
@@ -202,7 +202,9 @@ instantiate(const struct particle *particle, const struct tag_set *tags)
 
     e->kern_x = calloc(chars, sizeof(e->kern_x[0]));
 
-    if (fcft_capabilities() & FCFT_CAPABILITY_TEXT_RUN_SHAPING) {
+    if (particle->font_shaping == FONT_SHAPE_FULL &&
+        fcft_capabilities() & FCFT_CAPABILITY_TEXT_RUN_SHAPING)
+    {
         struct fcft_text_run *run = fcft_rasterize_text_run_utf32(
             font, chars, wtext, FCFT_SUBPIXEL_NONE);