https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=511211
Bug ID: 511211
Summary: Virtual desktop layout lock
Classification: Plasma
Product: kwin
Version First 6.5.0
Reported In:
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: wishlist
Priority: NOR
Component: general
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
Target Milestone: ---
Created attachment 186227
--> https://bugs.kde.org/attachment.cgi?id=186227&action=edit
example broken window rule that was set to open on desktop SE
SUMMARY
There is no way to lock a virtual desktop layout and prevent it from being
changed. Deleting a virtual desktop accidentally can imply a lot of work to
restore the setup.
Use-case: I have an MMO mouse with 12 buttons in a 3x4 grid that I have bound
to the F-keys; F1-12. I map the first 6 buttons (3x2) to virtual desktops,
calling them NW, N, NE and SW, S, SE. It's great for switching desktops and
moving windows; Ctrl+Mouse1 to switch to NE, Ctrl+Mouse6 to switch to SE.
Shift+Ctrl+Mouse3 to move a window to NE, etc. The cardinal direction theme
makes it easy to remember which desktop is where.
There is no way to lock the virtual desktop layout.
When a virtual desktop is removed, any desktops to the right of it are moved
left. If I have four virtual desktops; A, B, C and D; and I delete B at
position 2, then C and D become the new position 2 and 3 respectively. They
keep their names and are now A, C, D.
Window rules refer to virtual desktops by name. If a rule expects a virtual
desktop, and it is not available, the fallback behaviour is that the window is
placed on all desktops. Each affected rule must be manually edited to restore
the expected behaviour.
Even if no applications have rules for a desktop that is removed, other window
rules will place affected windows on the wrong desktops if the removal meant
they were moved left. It also breaks any naming and mnemonics of desktops.
The Overview lets you add and remove virtual desktops with a single click,
without a confirmation dialogue window.
STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Set up an elaborate virtual desktop setup
2. Add window rules to automatically place windows on specific desktops
3. Accidentally delete a desktop in a way that breaks a window rule, preferably
one in the middle of other desktops
OBSERVED RESULT
Layout breaks, as does any window rules that referred to the deleted desktop.
EXPECTED RESULT
Layout was possible to lock and step 3 was prevented.
SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: Aurora 43 (Universal Blue, immutable)
KDE Plasma Version: 6.5.0
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.19.0
Qt Version: 6.9.2
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
I want to like the Overview but I would also like it to not be a footgun. The
current behaviour makes sense if you use virtual desktops as transient
throwaway things, adding some on demand and deleting them when you're done with
them, but not so much for permanent layouts.
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