diff --git a/autotests/integration/tabbox_test.cpp b/autotests/integration/tabbox_test.cpp
index bc5300773b..40e48a86f9 100644
--- a/autotests/integration/tabbox_test.cpp
+++ b/autotests/integration/tabbox_test.cpp
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ void TabBoxTest::testCapsLock()
     QVERIFY(c3->isActive());
 
     // Setup tabbox signal spies
-    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.isValid());
-    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
     QVERIFY(tabboxClosedSpy.isValid());
 
     // enable capslock
@@ -111,19 +111,19 @@ void TabBoxTest::testCapsLock()
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_TAB, timestamp++);
 
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.wait());
-    QVERIFY(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed());
+    QVERIFY(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed());
 
     // release alt
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTALT, timestamp++);
     QCOMPARE(tabboxClosedSpy.count(), 1);
-    QCOMPARE(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed(), false);
+    QCOMPARE(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed(), false);
 
     // release caps lock
     Test::keyboardKeyPressed(KEY_CAPSLOCK, timestamp++);
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_CAPSLOCK, timestamp++);
     QCOMPARE(input()->keyboardModifiers(), Qt::NoModifier);
     QCOMPARE(tabboxClosedSpy.count(), 1);
-    QCOMPARE(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed(), false);
+    QCOMPARE(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed(), false);
     QCOMPARE(workspace()->activeWindow(), c2);
 
     surface3.reset();
@@ -156,9 +156,9 @@ void TabBoxTest::testMoveForward()
     QVERIFY(c3->isActive());
 
     // Setup tabbox signal spies
-    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.isValid());
-    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
     QVERIFY(tabboxClosedSpy.isValid());
 
     // press alt+tab
@@ -169,12 +169,12 @@ void TabBoxTest::testMoveForward()
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_TAB, timestamp++);
 
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.wait());
-    QVERIFY(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed());
+    QVERIFY(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed());
 
     // release alt
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTALT, timestamp++);
     QCOMPARE(tabboxClosedSpy.count(), 1);
-    QCOMPARE(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed(), false);
+    QCOMPARE(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed(), false);
     QCOMPARE(workspace()->activeWindow(), c2);
 
     surface3.reset();
@@ -207,9 +207,9 @@ void TabBoxTest::testMoveBackward()
     QVERIFY(c3->isActive());
 
     // Setup tabbox signal spies
-    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxAddedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded);
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.isValid());
-    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(TabBox::TabBox::self(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
+    QSignalSpy tabboxClosedSpy(workspace()->tabbox(), &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed);
     QVERIFY(tabboxClosedSpy.isValid());
 
     // press alt+shift+tab
@@ -222,14 +222,14 @@ void TabBoxTest::testMoveBackward()
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_TAB, timestamp++);
 
     QVERIFY(tabboxAddedSpy.wait());
-    QVERIFY(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed());
+    QVERIFY(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed());
 
     // release alt
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTSHIFT, timestamp++);
     QCOMPARE(tabboxClosedSpy.count(), 0);
     Test::keyboardKeyReleased(KEY_LEFTALT, timestamp++);
     QCOMPARE(tabboxClosedSpy.count(), 1);
-    QCOMPARE(TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed(), false);
+    QCOMPARE(workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed(), false);
     QCOMPARE(workspace()->activeWindow(), c1);
 
     surface3.reset();
diff --git a/src/effects.cpp b/src/effects.cpp
index 7026401567..fc0c3b4524 100644
--- a/src/effects.cpp
+++ b/src/effects.cpp
@@ -206,7 +206,7 @@ EffectsHandlerImpl::EffectsHandlerImpl(Compositor *compositor, Scene *scene)
 #endif
     connect(ws, &Workspace::stackingOrderChanged, this, &EffectsHandler::stackingOrderChanged);
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox *tabBox = TabBox::TabBox::self();
+    TabBox::TabBox *tabBox = workspace()->tabbox();
     connect(tabBox, &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxAdded, this, &EffectsHandler::tabBoxAdded);
     connect(tabBox, &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxUpdated, this, &EffectsHandler::tabBoxUpdated);
     connect(tabBox, &TabBox::TabBox::tabBoxClosed, this, &EffectsHandler::tabBoxClosed);
@@ -1157,7 +1157,7 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::setTabBoxWindow(EffectWindow *w)
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
     auto window = static_cast<EffectWindowImpl *>(w)->window();
     if (window->isClient()) {
-        TabBox::TabBox::self()->setCurrentClient(window);
+        workspace()->tabbox()->setCurrentClient(window);
     }
 #else
     Q_UNUSED(w)
@@ -1167,7 +1167,7 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::setTabBoxWindow(EffectWindow *w)
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::setTabBoxDesktop(int desktop)
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->setCurrentDesktop(desktop);
+    workspace()->tabbox()->setCurrentDesktop(desktop);
 #else
     Q_UNUSED(desktop)
 #endif
@@ -1176,7 +1176,7 @@ void EffectsHandlerImpl::setTabBoxDesktop(int desktop)
 EffectWindowList EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxWindowList() const
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    const auto clients = TabBox::TabBox::self()->currentClientList();
+    const auto clients = workspace()->tabbox()->currentClientList();
     EffectWindowList ret;
     ret.reserve(clients.size());
     std::transform(std::cbegin(clients), std::cend(clients),
@@ -1193,28 +1193,28 @@ EffectWindowList EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxWindowList() const
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::refTabBox()
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->reference();
+    workspace()->tabbox()->reference();
 #endif
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::unrefTabBox()
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->unreference();
+    workspace()->tabbox()->unreference();
 #endif
 }
 
 void EffectsHandlerImpl::closeTabBox()
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->close();
+    workspace()->tabbox()->close();
 #endif
 }
 
 QList<int> EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxDesktopList() const
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    return TabBox::TabBox::self()->currentDesktopList();
+    return workspace()->tabbox()->currentDesktopList();
 #else
     return QList<int>();
 #endif
@@ -1223,7 +1223,7 @@ QList<int> EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxDesktopList() const
 int EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxDesktop() const
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    return TabBox::TabBox::self()->currentDesktop();
+    return workspace()->tabbox()->currentDesktop();
 #else
     return -1;
 #endif
@@ -1232,7 +1232,7 @@ int EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxDesktop() const
 EffectWindow *EffectsHandlerImpl::currentTabBoxWindow() const
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    if (auto c = TabBox::TabBox::self()->currentClient()) {
+    if (auto c = workspace()->tabbox()->currentClient()) {
         return c->effectWindow();
     }
 #endif
diff --git a/src/events.cpp b/src/events.cpp
index b9fdb4bd55..9af023d3c1 100644
--- a/src/events.cpp
+++ b/src/events.cpp
@@ -825,7 +825,7 @@ void X11Window::updateMouseGrab()
     xcb_ungrab_button(kwinApp()->x11Connection(), XCB_BUTTON_INDEX_ANY, m_wrapper, XCB_MOD_MASK_ANY);
 
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    if (TabBox::TabBox::self()->forcedGlobalMouseGrab()) { // see TabBox::establishTabBoxGrab()
+    if (workspace()->tabbox()->forcedGlobalMouseGrab()) { // see TabBox::establishTabBoxGrab()
         m_wrapper.grabButton(XCB_GRAB_MODE_SYNC, XCB_GRAB_MODE_ASYNC);
         return;
     }
diff --git a/src/input.cpp b/src/input.cpp
index 08d77ea270..44aaba5b51 100644
--- a/src/input.cpp
+++ b/src/input.cpp
@@ -1646,14 +1646,14 @@ public:
     bool pointerEvent(QMouseEvent *event, quint32 button) override
     {
         Q_UNUSED(button)
-        if (!TabBox::TabBox::self() || !TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed()) {
+        if (!workspace()->tabbox() || !workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed()) {
             return false;
         }
-        return TabBox::TabBox::self()->handleMouseEvent(event);
+        return workspace()->tabbox()->handleMouseEvent(event);
     }
     bool keyEvent(QKeyEvent *event) override
     {
-        if (!TabBox::TabBox::self() || !TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed()) {
+        if (!workspace()->tabbox() || !workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed()) {
             return false;
         }
         auto seat = waylandServer()->seat();
@@ -1664,18 +1664,18 @@ public:
         passToWaylandServer(event);
 
         if (event->type() == QEvent::KeyPress) {
-            TabBox::TabBox::self()->keyPress(event->modifiers() | event->key());
+            workspace()->tabbox()->keyPress(event->modifiers() | event->key());
         } else if (static_cast<KeyEvent *>(event)->modifiersRelevantForGlobalShortcuts() == Qt::NoModifier) {
-            TabBox::TabBox::self()->modifiersReleased();
+            workspace()->tabbox()->modifiersReleased();
         }
         return true;
     }
     bool wheelEvent(QWheelEvent *event) override
     {
-        if (!TabBox::TabBox::self() || !TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed()) {
+        if (!workspace()->tabbox() || !workspace()->tabbox()->isGrabbed()) {
             return false;
         }
-        return TabBox::TabBox::self()->handleWheelEvent(event);
+        return workspace()->tabbox()->handleWheelEvent(event);
     }
 };
 #endif
diff --git a/src/tabbox/tabbox.cpp b/src/tabbox/tabbox.cpp
index 46dce6ff7a..74b585e85e 100644
--- a/src/tabbox/tabbox.cpp
+++ b/src/tabbox/tabbox.cpp
@@ -440,18 +440,9 @@ QUuid TabBoxClientImpl::internalId() const
 /*********************************************************
  * TabBox
  *********************************************************/
-TabBox *TabBox::s_self = nullptr;
 
-TabBox *TabBox::create(QObject *parent)
-{
-    Q_ASSERT(!s_self);
-    s_self = new TabBox(parent);
-    return s_self;
-}
-
-TabBox::TabBox(QObject *parent)
-    : QObject(parent)
-    , m_displayRefcount(0)
+TabBox::TabBox()
+    : m_displayRefcount(0)
     , m_desktopGrab(false)
     , m_tabGrab(false)
     , m_noModifierGrab(false)
@@ -506,10 +497,7 @@ TabBox::TabBox(QObject *parent)
     connect(Workspace::self(), &Workspace::configChanged, this, &TabBox::reconfigure);
 }
 
-TabBox::~TabBox()
-{
-    s_self = nullptr;
-}
+TabBox::~TabBox() = default;
 
 void TabBox::handlerReady()
 {
@@ -526,7 +514,7 @@ void TabBox::key(const KLazyLocalizedString &actionName, Slot slot, const QKeySe
     a->setObjectName(QString::fromUtf8(actionName.untranslatedText()));
     a->setText(actionName.toString());
     KGlobalAccel::self()->setGlobalShortcut(a, QList<QKeySequence>() << shortcut);
-    input()->registerShortcut(shortcut, a, TabBox::self(), slot);
+    input()->registerShortcut(shortcut, a, this, slot);
     auto cuts = KGlobalAccel::self()->shortcut(a);
     globalShortcutChanged(a, cuts.isEmpty() ? QKeySequence() : cuts.first());
 }
diff --git a/src/tabbox/tabbox.h b/src/tabbox/tabbox.h
index 9e568880e7..24fef5ff24 100644
--- a/src/tabbox/tabbox.h
+++ b/src/tabbox/tabbox.h
@@ -106,7 +106,8 @@ class KWIN_EXPORT TabBox : public QObject
 {
     Q_OBJECT
 public:
-    ~TabBox() override;
+    explicit TabBox();
+    ~TabBox();
 
     /**
      * Returns the currently displayed client ( only works in TabBoxWindowsMode ).
@@ -261,9 +262,6 @@ public:
     }
     void setCurrentIndex(QModelIndex index, bool notifyEffects = true);
 
-    static TabBox *self();
-    static TabBox *create(QObject *parent);
-
 public Q_SLOTS:
     /**
      * Notify effects that the tab box is being shown, and only display the
@@ -357,16 +355,9 @@ private:
     QList<ElectricBorder> m_borderActivate, m_borderAlternativeActivate;
     QHash<ElectricBorder, QAction *> m_touchActivate;
     QHash<ElectricBorder, QAction *> m_touchAlternativeActivate;
-    QScopedPointer<X11EventFilter> m_x11EventFilter;
-
-    static TabBox *s_self;
+    std::unique_ptr<X11EventFilter> m_x11EventFilter;
 };
 
-inline TabBox *TabBox::self()
-{
-    return s_self;
-}
-
 } // namespace TabBox
 } // namespace
 #endif
diff --git a/src/tabbox/x11_filter.cpp b/src/tabbox/x11_filter.cpp
index 46abaea22a..f751b5869d 100644
--- a/src/tabbox/x11_filter.cpp
+++ b/src/tabbox/x11_filter.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,8 @@ X11Filter::X11Filter()
 
 bool X11Filter::event(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
 {
-    if (!TabBox::TabBox::self()->isGrabbed()) {
+    const auto tab = workspace()->tabbox();
+    if (!tab->isGrabbed()) {
         return false;
     }
     const uint8_t eventType = event->response_type & ~0x80;
@@ -38,7 +39,6 @@ bool X11Filter::event(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
     case XCB_BUTTON_RELEASE: {
         auto e = reinterpret_cast<xcb_button_press_event_t *>(event);
         xcb_allow_events(connection(), XCB_ALLOW_ASYNC_POINTER, XCB_CURRENT_TIME);
-        const auto tab = TabBox::TabBox::self();
         if (!tab->isShown() && tab->isDisplayed()) {
             if (effects && static_cast<EffectsHandlerImpl *>(effects)->isMouseInterception()) {
                 // pass on to effects, effects will filter out the event
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ bool X11Filter::event(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
 bool X11Filter::buttonPress(xcb_button_press_event_t *event)
 {
     // press outside Tabbox?
-    const auto tab = TabBox::TabBox::self();
+    const auto tab = workspace()->tabbox();
     QPoint pos(event->root_x, event->root_y);
     if ((!tab->isShown() && tab->isDisplayed())
         || (!tabBox->containsPos(pos) && (event->detail == XCB_BUTTON_INDEX_1 || event->detail == XCB_BUTTON_INDEX_2 || event->detail == XCB_BUTTON_INDEX_3))) {
@@ -99,7 +99,7 @@ void X11Filter::keyPress(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
     int keyQt;
     xcb_key_press_event_t *keyEvent = reinterpret_cast<xcb_key_press_event_t *>(event);
     KKeyServer::xcbKeyPressEventToQt(keyEvent, &keyQt);
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->keyPress(keyQt);
+    workspace()->tabbox()->keyPress(keyQt);
 }
 
 void X11Filter::keyRelease(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void X11Filter::keyRelease(xcb_generic_event_t *event)
         }
     }
     if (release) {
-        TabBox::TabBox::self()->modifiersReleased();
+        workspace()->tabbox()->modifiersReleased();
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/useractions.cpp b/src/useractions.cpp
index 72df2e12d1..a74f2fa353 100644
--- a/src/useractions.cpp
+++ b/src/useractions.cpp
@@ -1103,7 +1103,7 @@ void Workspace::initShortcuts()
     initShortcut("Invert Screen Colors", i18n("Invert Screen Colors"), 0, kwinApp()->platform(), &Platform::invertScreen);
 
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox::self()->initShortcuts();
+    m_tabbox->initShortcuts();
 #endif
     vds->initShortcuts();
     m_userActionsMenu->discard(); // so that it's recreated next time
diff --git a/src/window.cpp b/src/window.cpp
index 76f42ba9ec..9e050a1ad8 100644
--- a/src/window.cpp
+++ b/src/window.cpp
@@ -4432,7 +4432,7 @@ void Window::setFullscreenGeometryRestore(const QRectF &geom)
 void Window::cleanTabBox()
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox *tabBox = TabBox::TabBox::self();
+    TabBox::TabBox *tabBox = workspace()->tabbox();
     if (tabBox && tabBox->isDisplayed() && tabBox->currentClient() == this) {
         tabBox->nextPrev(true);
     }
diff --git a/src/workspace.cpp b/src/workspace.cpp
index 9c69950233..9e02997700 100644
--- a/src/workspace.cpp
+++ b/src/workspace.cpp
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ Workspace::Workspace()
 
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
     // need to create the tabbox before compositing scene is setup
-    TabBox::TabBox::create(this);
+    m_tabbox = std::make_unique<TabBox::TabBox>();
 #endif
 
     if (!Compositor::self()) {
@@ -1874,9 +1874,8 @@ void Workspace::setWasUserInteraction()
 void Workspace::updateTabbox()
 {
 #if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
-    TabBox::TabBox *tabBox = TabBox::TabBox::self();
-    if (tabBox->isDisplayed()) {
-        tabBox->reset(true);
+    if (m_tabbox->isDisplayed()) {
+        m_tabbox->reset(true);
     }
 #endif
 }
@@ -2866,6 +2865,13 @@ Screens *Workspace::screens() const
     return m_screens.get();
 }
 
+#if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
+TabBox::TabBox *Workspace::tabbox() const
+{
+    return m_tabbox.get();
+}
+#endif
+
 #if KWIN_BUILD_ACTIVITIES
 Activities *Workspace::activities() const
 {
diff --git a/src/workspace.h b/src/workspace.h
index 9ce2d82a08..343a8ce53e 100644
--- a/src/workspace.h
+++ b/src/workspace.h
@@ -45,6 +45,11 @@ class Tree;
 class Window;
 }
 
+namespace TabBox
+{
+class TabBox;
+}
+
 class Window;
 class Output;
 class ColorMapper;
@@ -445,6 +450,9 @@ public:
     RuleBook *rulebook() const;
     ScreenEdges *screenEdges() const;
     Screens *screens() const;
+#if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
+    TabBox::TabBox *tabbox() const;
+#endif
 #if KWIN_BUILD_ACTIVITIES
     Activities *activities() const;
 #endif
@@ -724,6 +732,9 @@ private:
     std::unique_ptr<RuleBook> m_rulebook;
     std::unique_ptr<ScreenEdges> m_screenEdges;
     std::unique_ptr<Screens> m_screens;
+#if KWIN_BUILD_TABBOX
+    std::unique_ptr<TabBox::TabBox> m_tabbox;
+#endif
 #if KWIN_BUILD_ACTIVITIES
     std::unique_ptr<Activities> m_activities;
 #endif