diff --git a/roles/sway/templates/config.j2 b/roles/sway/templates/config.j2
index b8a9ab6..bfdd012 100644
--- a/roles/sway/templates/config.j2
+++ b/roles/sway/templates/config.j2
@@ -194,14 +194,14 @@ bindsym $mod+Next move workspace to output right
 # exec background apps
 
 # tiny
-exec_always bash -c "pgrep tiny || screen -S tiny -md tiny"
+exec_always bash -c "pgrep -x tiny || screen -S tiny -md tiny"
 # mako
-exec_always bash -c "pgrep mako || mako"
+exec_always bash -c "pgrep -x mako || mako"
 # syncthing
-exec_always bash -c "pgrep syncthing || syncthing"
+exec_always bash -c "pgrep -x syncthing || syncthing"
 # pipewire
-exec_always bash -c "pgrep pipewire || pipewire"
-exec_always bash -c "pgrep pipewire-pulse || pipewire-pulse"
+exec_always bash -c "pgrep -x pipewire || pipewire"
+exec_always bash -c "pgrep -x pipewire-pulse || pipewire-pulse"
 # xdg-desktop-portal-wlr
 exec dbus-update-activation-environment WAYLAND_DISPLAY XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=sway