pop-os
Make windows titles optional
I use some apps which are meant to not have windows titles, but the Cosmic compositor seems to force them.
One of these is Emacs, which should basically look like it's running in a terminal, but looks like this:
(Edit: Oops, looks like the screenshot tool doesn't like rotated screens. Will open another issue on that one.)
I am running the pgtk version of Emacs 29.3, so it should be Wayland only. But it also is the same issue on the X-version.
Will this be a feature in the final version (disable windows titles)?
Cosmic isn't forcing window titles. It just adds them if the application prefers server-side decorations (as given for wayland-clients via the xdg-decorations protocol) or for Xwayland clients, if the application doesn't use the MOTIF_WM_HINTS to to specify, that it does client-side decorations.
Being able to get rid of window titles is definitely an essential feature for me - I don't find any use for them at all; they're just taking up screen real estate.
We could have a field for disabling window titles in the CosmicCompConfig. Then either a toggle added to the tiling applet and/or cosmic-settings. I also prefer disabling SSD window headers.
We could have a field for disabling window titles in the CosmicCompConfig. Then either a toggle added to the tiling applet and/or cosmic-settings. I also prefer disabling CSD window headers.
Should I create another issue to address this?
I would also like to be able to just disable CSD for only tiled windows. With tiling the keyboard is the main interaction tool, and titlebars are mostly made for mouse interaction. On the other hand, it's nice to have the titlebar for floating window.
I would also like to be able to just disable CSD for only tiled windows. With tiling the keyboard is the main interaction tool, and titlebars are mostly made for mouse interaction. On the other hand, it's nice to have the titlebar for floating window.
I think it also is dependent on user. I'm not keen on tiling, personally finding it too rigid. Despite preferring a windowed environment, most of my workflow is still keyboard driven, with only occasional mouse usage.
I've definitely moved away from title bars in recent years and have them disabled on most GUI apps that can be configured to do so. I find it less distracting whilst working.
One more reason to have the ability to remove title bars, if you have a custom color theme, the title bar will often not match at all the application. For example on an electron app (Signal Desktop):
First of all thanks to all people working on cosmic, trying it out and finding it great!
Currently there are several open issues that in my opinion all are part of this problem:
- Qt apps use csd https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-epoch/issues/542 (and also apps like firefox, electron apps like vscode and some other apps like alacritty https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-comp/issues/349)
- There is no way to remove close button (I think some issues mentioned it but can't find now)
- There is no way to style ssds at all https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-comp/issues/549
There is clear some interest in titlebar-less mode and appropriate style for native cosmic apps. KDE does this fine, the options to disable titlebars are a little obscure but behavior is consitent if you figure out how to do it. I think this would be a great feature and some important parts like super+click to drag and super+right click to resize are already in place so UX wise removing titlebars should be absolutely fine
One more reason to have the ability to remove title bars, if you have a custom color theme, the title bar will often not match at all the application. For example on an electron app (Signal Desktop):
Server Side Decorations never supposed to match applications' colours. For example on windows if you enable accent colour headerbar it would look like image here. And if you disable this headerbar - you will loose window controls buttons
For example on windows if you enable accent colour headerbar it would look like image here
I don't think Windows should be the benchmark on having a uniform look and feel.
And if you disable this headerbar - you will loose window controls buttons
Yes, this feature should probably be described as "advanced" or something. But I'm migrating from sway where I already disable titlebars and only use keyboard shortcuts to manage apps.
Also note that some apps (I know of Firefox at least), can optionally show their own decorations.
And if you disable this headerbar - you will loose window controls buttons
Therefore, I hope https://github.com/pop-os/cosmic-applets/issues/204 is implemented at the same time. Only for the focus-window but better than nothing.
I wanted just to point out that server side decorations were never supposed to match colouring of applications since environment doesn't know what colour it is. Removing SSDs for applications that specifically asks it (COSMIC actually prefers Client Side Decorations, unless asked other way by application) can make some applications poorly usable since you won't be able to move them in floating mode
Removing SSDs for applications that specifically asks it (COSMIC actually prefers Client Side Decorations, unless asked other way by application) can make some applications poorly usable since you won't be able to move them in floating mode
Many desktops (including COSMIC!) support dragging windows with super+left click anywhere on window and resizing with super+right click anywhere near edges. This works even in floating mode. I assume that users who specifically want to disable title bars know about this feature. Additionally this functionality can be advertised in some text near opinion that disables title bars or maybe in some popup confirming the choice. I believe this not only does not degrade useability but actually improves it
And if you disable this headerbar - you will loose window controls buttons
It's the same here. Users who opt in into the no titles feature probably know about super+Q shortcut to close window and whatever other shortcuts they may need to manage windows
IMO this should absolutely be opt-in with some warning text or popup about the need to use shortcuts. But for users who prefer it is huge, e.g. saves space on small screens like 14" laptops
Removing SSDs for applications that specifically asks it (COSMIC actually prefers Client Side Decorations, unless asked other way by application) can make some applications poorly usable since you won't be able to move them in floating mode
Many desktops (including COSMIC!) support dragging windows with super+left click anywhere on window and resizing with super+right click anywhere near edges. This works even in floating mode. I assume that users who specifically want to disable title bars know about this feature. Additionally this functionality can be advertised in some text near opinion that disables title bars or maybe in some popup confirming the choice. I believe this not only does not degrade useability but actually improves it
Yes! Let me share my experience:
In GNOME:
- SuperKey+RightClick displays the window menu (same as right click on TitleBar)
- SuperKey+MouseDrag moves the window
- SuperKey show the activities view (where the top bar, dash, open window list and workspace list are)
- There are extensions to hide the titlebar when the window is maximized (or merge it with the top panel);
- There are extensions to display the top panel only in the activities view;
- There are extensions to display the dash only in the activities view;
- There are configurations to make alt+tab work by window (without grouping applications).
This is my daily driver and is awesome. I found no windows that break, become ugly or unresponsive because of the hidden TitleBar; Those extensions are very popular and this suggests that is a productive and desirable workflow;
It would be nice to have something like this as an option on COSMIC too.
I guess that for most users of i3, sway, hyprland, niri, and other minimal window managers (myself included), the ability to hide the titlebar in tiling mode is certainly an important feature. I'd be nice to see this option into the COSMIC settings
