diff --git a/meta/generateLuaStubs.py b/meta/generateLuaStubs.py
index a523496df..7ef70babb 100644
--- a/meta/generateLuaStubs.py
+++ b/meta/generateLuaStubs.py
@@ -469,7 +469,8 @@ def generate_stub(root: Path) -> str:
 
     api_signatures: dict[str, str] = {
         "hl.on": "fun(event: HL.EventName, cb: fun(...)): HL.EventSubscription",
-        "hl.bind": "fun(keys: string, dispatcher: function, opts?: HL.BindOptions): HL.Keybind",
+        "hl.bind": "fun(keys: string, dispatcher: HL.Dispatcher|function, opts?: HL.BindOptions): HL.Keybind",
+        "hl.dispatch": "fun(dispatcher: HL.Dispatcher|function): any",
         "hl.define_submap": "fun(name: string, reset_or_fn: string|function, fn?: function): nil",
         "hl.timer": "fun(callback: function, opts: HL.TimerOptions): HL.Timer",
         "hl.config": "fun(config: table): nil",
@@ -523,6 +524,9 @@ def generate_stub(root: Path) -> str:
     lines.append("---@alias HL.CssGap integer|{top?:integer, right?:integer, bottom?:integer, left?:integer}")
     lines.append("---@alias HL.Gradient string|{colors:string[], angle?:number}")
     lines.append("")
+    lines.append("---@class HL.Dispatcher")
+    lines.append("local __HL_Dispatcher = {}")
+    lines.append("")
 
     lines.extend(
         emit_class_block(
@@ -651,7 +655,8 @@ def generate_stub(root: Path) -> str:
 
         for method in sorted(node.methods):
             full_name = f"{full_prefix}.{method}"
-            method_type = api_signatures.get(full_name, "fun(...): any")
+            default_method_type = "fun(...): HL.Dispatcher" if path and path[0] == "dsp" else "fun(...): any"
+            method_type = api_signatures.get(full_name, default_method_type)
             fields.append((method, method_type, False))
 
         for child_name in sorted(node.children.keys()):
diff --git a/meta/hl.meta.lua b/meta/hl.meta.lua
index e0fd096ae..a13655633 100644
--- a/meta/hl.meta.lua
+++ b/meta/hl.meta.lua
@@ -378,6 +378,9 @@
 ---@alias HL.CssGap integer|{top?:integer, right?:integer, bottom?:integer, left?:integer}
 ---@alias HL.Gradient string|{colors:string[], angle?:number}
 
+---@class HL.Dispatcher
+local __HL_Dispatcher = {}
+
 ---@class HL.Vec2
 ---@field x number
 ---@field y number
@@ -739,12 +742,12 @@ local __HL_Workspace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.API
 ---@field animation fun(...): any
----@field bind fun(keys: string, dispatcher: function, opts?: HL.BindOptions): HL.Keybind
+---@field bind fun(keys: string, dispatcher: HL.Dispatcher|function, opts?: HL.BindOptions): HL.Keybind
 ---@field config fun(config: table): nil
 ---@field curve fun(...): any
 ---@field define_submap fun(name: string, reset_or_fn: string|function, fn?: function): nil
 ---@field device fun(spec: HL.DeviceSpec): nil
----@field dispatch fun(...): any
+---@field dispatch fun(dispatcher: HL.Dispatcher|function): any
 ---@field env fun(...): any
 ---@field exec_cmd fun(cmd: string, rules?: table<string, string|number|boolean>): nil
 ---@field gesture fun(spec: HL.GestureSpec): nil
@@ -783,21 +786,21 @@ local __HL_Workspace = {}
 local __HL_API = {}
 
 ---@class HL.DspNamespace
----@field dpms fun(...): any
----@field event fun(...): any
----@field exec_cmd fun(...): any
----@field exec_raw fun(...): any
----@field exit fun(...): any
----@field focus fun(...): any
----@field force_idle fun(...): any
----@field force_renderer_reload fun(...): any
----@field global fun(...): any
----@field layout fun(...): any
----@field no_op fun(...): any
----@field pass fun(...): any
----@field send_key_state fun(...): any
----@field send_shortcut fun(...): any
----@field submap fun(...): any
+---@field dpms fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field event fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field exec_cmd fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field exec_raw fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field exit fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field focus fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field force_idle fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field force_renderer_reload fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field global fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field layout fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field no_op fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field pass fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field send_key_state fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field send_shortcut fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field submap fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
 ---@field cursor HL.DspCursorNamespace
 ---@field group HL.DspGroupNamespace
 ---@field window HL.DspWindowNamespace
@@ -805,48 +808,48 @@ local __HL_API = {}
 local __HL_DspNamespace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.DspCursorNamespace
----@field move fun(...): any
----@field move_to_corner fun(...): any
+---@field move fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field move_to_corner fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
 local __HL_DspCursorNamespace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.DspGroupNamespace
----@field active fun(...): any
----@field lock fun(...): any
----@field lock_active fun(...): any
----@field move_window fun(...): any
----@field next fun(...): any
----@field prev fun(...): any
----@field toggle fun(...): any
+---@field active fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field lock fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field lock_active fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field move_window fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field next fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field prev fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field toggle fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
 local __HL_DspGroupNamespace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.DspWindowNamespace
----@field alter_zorder fun(...): any
----@field bring_to_top fun(...): any
----@field center fun(...): any
----@field close fun(...): any
----@field cycle_next fun(...): any
----@field deny_from_group fun(...): any
----@field drag fun(...): any
----@field float fun(...): any
----@field fullscreen fun(...): any
----@field fullscreen_state fun(...): any
----@field kill fun(...): any
----@field move fun(...): any
----@field pin fun(...): any
----@field pseudo fun(...): any
----@field resize fun(...): any
----@field set_prop fun(...): any
----@field signal fun(...): any
----@field swap fun(...): any
----@field tag fun(...): any
----@field toggle_swallow fun(...): any
+---@field alter_zorder fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field bring_to_top fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field center fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field close fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field cycle_next fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field deny_from_group fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field drag fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field float fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field fullscreen fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field fullscreen_state fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field kill fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field move fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field pin fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field pseudo fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field resize fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field set_prop fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field signal fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field swap fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field tag fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field toggle_swallow fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
 local __HL_DspWindowNamespace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.DspWorkspaceNamespace
----@field move fun(...): any
----@field rename fun(...): any
----@field swap_monitors fun(...): any
----@field toggle_special fun(...): any
+---@field move fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field rename fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field swap_monitors fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
+---@field toggle_special fun(...): HL.Dispatcher
 local __HL_DspWorkspaceNamespace = {}
 
 ---@class HL.NotificationNamespace
diff --git a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatcherUtils.cpp b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatcherUtils.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..a55dfc655
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatcherUtils.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,144 @@
+#include "LuaBindingsInternal.hpp"
+
+using namespace Config::Lua::Bindings;
+
+static constexpr const char* DISPATCHER_MT = "HL.Dispatcher";
+static char                  DISPATCHER_TABLES_REGISTRY_KEY;
+
+namespace {
+    struct SDispatcherRef {
+        int ref = LUA_NOREF;
+    };
+}
+
+static int dispatcherGc(lua_State* L) {
+    auto* dispatcher = sc<SDispatcherRef*>(luaL_checkudata(L, 1, DISPATCHER_MT));
+    if (dispatcher->ref != LUA_NOREF) {
+        luaL_unref(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX, dispatcher->ref);
+        dispatcher->ref = LUA_NOREF;
+    }
+
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int dispatcherCall(lua_State* L) {
+    return Internal::configError(L, "dispatcher objects cannot be called directly; use hl.dispatch(dispatcher)");
+}
+
+static int dispatcherToString(lua_State* L) {
+    lua_pushstring(L, "HL.Dispatcher");
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static void ensureDispatcherMetatable(lua_State* L) {
+    if (luaL_newmetatable(L, DISPATCHER_MT)) {
+        lua_pushcfunction(L, dispatcherGc);
+        lua_setfield(L, -2, "__gc");
+        lua_pushcfunction(L, dispatcherCall);
+        lua_setfield(L, -2, "__call");
+        lua_pushcfunction(L, dispatcherToString);
+        lua_setfield(L, -2, "__tostring");
+
+        lua_pushstring(L, DISPATCHER_MT);
+        lua_setfield(L, -2, "__metatable");
+    }
+
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+}
+
+static bool isDispatcherTable(lua_State* L, int idx) {
+    if (!lua_istable(L, idx))
+        return false;
+
+    idx = lua_absindex(L, idx);
+    lua_pushlightuserdata(L, &DISPATCHER_TABLES_REGISTRY_KEY);
+    lua_rawget(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX);
+
+    if (!lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+        lua_pop(L, 1);
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    lua_pushvalue(L, idx);
+    lua_rawget(L, -2);
+    const bool result = lua_toboolean(L, -1);
+    lua_pop(L, 2);
+    return result;
+}
+
+static int dispatcherFactory(lua_State* L) {
+    const int nargs = lua_gettop(L);
+
+    lua_pushvalue(L, lua_upvalueindex(1));
+    lua_insert(L, 1);
+    lua_call(L, nargs, LUA_MULTRET);
+
+    const int nresults = lua_gettop(L);
+    if (nresults == 1 && lua_isfunction(L, -1))
+        return Internal::wrapDispatcher(L);
+
+    return nresults;
+}
+
+void Internal::setFn(lua_State* L, const char* name, lua_CFunction fn) {
+    if (isDispatcherTable(L, -1)) {
+        lua_pushcfunction(L, fn);
+        lua_pushcclosure(L, dispatcherFactory, 1);
+    } else
+        lua_pushcfunction(L, fn);
+
+    lua_setfield(L, -2, name);
+}
+
+void Internal::markDispatcherTable(lua_State* L) {
+    if (!lua_istable(L, -1))
+        return;
+
+    lua_pushlightuserdata(L, &DISPATCHER_TABLES_REGISTRY_KEY);
+    lua_rawget(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX);
+
+    if (!lua_istable(L, -1)) {
+        lua_pop(L, 1);
+        lua_newtable(L);
+        lua_pushlightuserdata(L, &DISPATCHER_TABLES_REGISTRY_KEY);
+        lua_pushvalue(L, -2);
+        lua_rawset(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX);
+    }
+
+    lua_pushvalue(L, -2);
+    lua_pushboolean(L, true);
+    lua_rawset(L, -3);
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+}
+
+int Internal::wrapDispatcher(lua_State* L) {
+    luaL_checktype(L, -1, LUA_TFUNCTION);
+
+    const int ref = luaL_ref(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX);
+
+    new (lua_newuserdata(L, sizeof(SDispatcherRef))) SDispatcherRef{.ref = ref};
+
+    ensureDispatcherMetatable(L);
+    luaL_getmetatable(L, DISPATCHER_MT);
+    lua_setmetatable(L, -2);
+
+    return 1;
+}
+
+bool Internal::pushDispatcherFunction(lua_State* L, int idx) {
+    if (lua_isfunction(L, idx)) {
+        lua_pushvalue(L, idx);
+        return true;
+    }
+
+    auto* dispatcher = sc<SDispatcherRef*>(luaL_testudata(L, idx, DISPATCHER_MT));
+    if (!dispatcher || dispatcher->ref == LUA_NOREF)
+        return false;
+
+    lua_rawgeti(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX, dispatcher->ref);
+    if (lua_isfunction(L, -1))
+        return true;
+
+    lua_pop(L, 1);
+    return false;
+}
diff --git a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatchers.cpp b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatchers.cpp
index 4a981f4eb..4fd332eb7 100644
--- a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatchers.cpp
+++ b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsDispatchers.cpp
@@ -1214,14 +1214,17 @@ static int hlWorkspaceSwapMonitors(lua_State* L) {
 
 void Internal::registerDispatcherBindings(lua_State* L) {
     lua_newtable(L);
+    Internal::markDispatcherTable(L);
 
     {
         lua_newtable(L);
+        Internal::markDispatcherTable(L);
         Internal::setFn(L, "move_to_corner", hlCursorMoveToCorner);
         Internal::setFn(L, "move", hlCursorMove);
         lua_setfield(L, -2, "cursor");
 
         lua_newtable(L);
+        Internal::markDispatcherTable(L);
         Internal::setFn(L, "toggle", hlGroupToggle);
         Internal::setFn(L, "next", hlGroupNext);
         Internal::setFn(L, "prev", hlGroupPrev);
@@ -1232,6 +1235,7 @@ void Internal::registerDispatcherBindings(lua_State* L) {
         lua_setfield(L, -2, "group");
 
         lua_newtable(L);
+        Internal::markDispatcherTable(L);
         Internal::setFn(L, "close", hlWindowClose);
         Internal::setFn(L, "kill", hlWindowKill);
         Internal::setFn(L, "signal", hlWindowSignal);
@@ -1255,6 +1259,7 @@ void Internal::registerDispatcherBindings(lua_State* L) {
         lua_setfield(L, -2, "window");
 
         lua_newtable(L);
+        Internal::markDispatcherTable(L);
         Internal::setFn(L, "rename", hlWorkspaceRename);
         Internal::setFn(L, "move", hlWorkspaceMove);
         Internal::setFn(L, "swap_monitors", hlWorkspaceSwapMonitors);
diff --git a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.cpp b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.cpp
index e0cef1464..5f1958051 100644
--- a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.cpp
+++ b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.cpp
@@ -449,11 +449,6 @@ CA::eTogglableAction Internal::tableToggleAction(lua_State* L, int idx, const ch
     return CA::TOGGLE_ACTION_TOGGLE;
 }
 
-void Internal::setFn(lua_State* L, const char* name, lua_CFunction fn) {
-    lua_pushcfunction(L, fn);
-    lua_setfield(L, -2, name);
-}
-
 void Internal::setMgrFn(lua_State* L, CConfigManager* mgr, const char* name, lua_CFunction fn) {
     lua_pushlightuserdata(L, mgr);
     lua_pushcclosure(L, fn, 1);
diff --git a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.hpp b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.hpp
index 024d72489..9b61360cb 100644
--- a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.hpp
+++ b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsInternal.hpp
@@ -181,6 +181,9 @@ namespace Config::Lua::Bindings::Internal {
 
     void setFn(lua_State* L, const char* name, lua_CFunction fn);
     void setMgrFn(lua_State* L, CConfigManager* mgr, const char* name, lua_CFunction fn);
+    void markDispatcherTable(lua_State* L);
+    int  wrapDispatcher(lua_State* L);
+    bool pushDispatcherFunction(lua_State* L, int idx);
 
     template <typename T>
     SParseError parseTableField(lua_State* L, int tableIdx, const char* field, T& parser) {
diff --git a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsToplevel.cpp b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsToplevel.cpp
index 2d54a7b3c..1b345cdef 100644
--- a/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsToplevel.cpp
+++ b/src/config/lua/bindings/LuaBindingsToplevel.cpp
@@ -132,13 +132,12 @@ static int hlBind(lua_State* L) {
     if (auto res = parseKeyString(kb, keys); !res)
         return Internal::configError(L, std::format("hl.bind: failed to parse key string: {}", res.error()));
 
-    if (!lua_isfunction(L, 2))
+    if (!Internal::pushDispatcherFunction(L, 2))
         return Internal::configError(L, "hl.bind: dispatcher must be a dispatcher (e.g. hl.dsp.window.close()) or a lua function");
 
     if (kb.catchAll && mgr->m_currentSubmap.empty())
         return Internal::configError(L, "hl.bind: catchall keybinds are only allowed in submaps.");
 
-    lua_pushvalue(L, 2);
     int ref       = luaL_ref(L, LUA_REGISTRYINDEX);
     kb.handler    = "__lua";
     kb.arg        = std::to_string(ref);
@@ -293,10 +292,9 @@ static int hlExecCmd(lua_State* L) {
 }
 
 static int hlDispatch(lua_State* L) {
-    if (!lua_isfunction(L, 1))
-        return Internal::configError(L, "hl.dispatch: expected a dispatcher function (e.g. hl.dsp.window.close())");
+    if (!Internal::pushDispatcherFunction(L, 1))
+        return Internal::configError(L, "hl.dispatch: expected a dispatcher (e.g. hl.dsp.window.close())");
 
-    lua_pushvalue(L, 1);
     int status = LUA_OK;
     if (auto* mgr = CConfigManager::fromLuaState(L); mgr)
         status = mgr->guardedPCall(0, 1, 0, CConfigManager::LUA_TIMEOUT_DISPATCH_MS, "hl.dispatch");