Kiwi Extension Bug: Mouse Stuck On Vertical Displays
Hey everyone! Let's dive into a quirky bug that some of you might have encountered while using the Kiwi extension. Specifically, this issue arises when you have your displays arranged vertically. I'm here to break down the problem, how to reproduce it, and provide some context so you know exactly what's going on. So, let's get started!
Understanding the Mouse Cursor Issue with Vertically Arranged Displays
When the Kiwi extension is enabled, users are finding that their mouse cursor simply refuses to play nice when moving between displays stacked vertically. Instead of smoothly transitioning from one screen to another, the cursor gets stuck at the edge, showing only a tantalizing single pixel on the adjacent display. Frustrating, right? The moment the Kiwi extension is disabled, everything goes back to normal, and the cursor moves freely. This clearly points to the extension as the culprit. The core problem is that the mouse cursor gets trapped when trying to cross from one vertically stacked display to another while the Kiwi extension is active. Disabling the extension immediately fixes the issue, allowing the cursor to move freely. This behavior suggests there might be some conflict in how the extension handles pointer barriers or edge detection, especially when displays are stacked on top of each other. Users have reported that this issue makes it difficult to navigate between applications and perform tasks that require frequent movement between screens, significantly impacting productivity. Ensuring seamless transitions between displays is crucial for a smooth user experience, and this bug disrupts that flow. To address this issue effectively, it's important to understand the underlying mechanisms of the Kiwi extension and how it interacts with the display settings. By identifying the specific code or configuration causing the conflict, developers can implement a targeted solution that resolves the problem without compromising the extension's other functionalities. In addition, thorough testing across different display configurations and operating systems can help prevent similar issues from arising in future updates. Resolving this bug will not only enhance the usability of the Kiwi extension but also contribute to a more polished and user-friendly desktop environment overall. Therefore, it's a priority to investigate and address this issue to ensure a seamless and efficient workflow for users with vertically arranged displays.
How to Reproduce the Bug
Want to see if you can reproduce this bug yourself? Here’s a step-by-step guide to replicate the behavior:
- Enable the Kiwi extension: First things first, make sure the Kiwi extension is active in your browser. This is essential for triggering the bug.
 - Configure displays vertically: Head over to your GNOME Display Settings (or your OS equivalent) and arrange two displays in a vertical configuration. This means one display should be stacked directly on top of the other.
 - Attempt to move the cursor: Now, try to move your mouse cursor from the bottom display to the top one, or vice versa. This is where the problem should manifest.
 - Observe the stuck cursor: Keep an eye on the cursor as it approaches the edge between the displays. You should notice it getting stuck, only showing a tiny sliver on the adjacent display. It just won't fully cross over.
 - Disable the Kiwi extension: Next, disable the Kiwi extension in your browser. This is the key to seeing the resolution.
 - Observe normal cursor movement: Try moving the cursor between the displays again. You should now see it moving freely, without any issues. Ah, freedom!
 
By following these steps, you can reliably reproduce the bug and confirm that the Kiwi extension is indeed the culprit. This is super helpful for developers trying to diagnose and fix the issue. This step-by-step reproduction guide is designed to make it easy for anyone to verify the bug and provide valuable feedback to the developers. The more users who can reproduce the issue, the better the chances of a quick and effective resolution. It's also a great way to ensure that the fix is working correctly after it's implemented. Additionally, this guide can be used by QA teams to create automated tests to prevent regressions in future releases. The detailed instructions help ensure that the testing process is consistent and reliable, leading to a more stable and user-friendly experience. Remember to document your findings and report them to the developers with as much detail as possible. This will help them understand the issue better and expedite the process of finding a solution. By working together and providing clear, reproducible steps, we can all contribute to making the Kiwi extension a better and more reliable tool for everyone. So, grab your mouse, set up your displays, and let's get testing!
Desktop Environment Details
Here’s some more info about the environment where this bug was observed:
- OS: Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS
 - Extension version: v1.2.0 (23)
 - Gnome version: 46.0
 
This setup is crucial for understanding the context in which the bug occurs. Knowing the specific versions of the OS, extension, and desktop environment helps developers narrow down the potential causes. For example, the bug might be specific to a particular version of Gnome or a certain configuration of Ubuntu. Providing this information can save developers time and effort in troubleshooting the issue. It also allows them to replicate the environment in their own testing setups to verify the bug and test potential fixes. Additionally, this information can be used to identify any known compatibility issues between the Kiwi extension and the specified versions of the OS and desktop environment. By gathering and sharing this detailed information, users can contribute to a more efficient and effective bug-fixing process, ultimately leading to a better user experience for everyone. So, remember to always include your OS, extension version, and desktop environment details when reporting bugs!
Additional Context
Here are some extra details that might shed light on the issue:
- Display configuration: Two displays (1366x768 and 1360x768) arranged vertically. The resolutions of the displays might play a role.
 - Horizontal arrangement works: Interestingly, when the displays are arranged horizontally, the bug doesn't appear. It seems to be specific to vertical stacking.
 - Vertical arrangement only: Yep, only vertical arrangements are affected. This further narrows down the potential causes.
 - Pointer barriers or edge detection: The issue seems related to how the extension handles pointer barriers or edge detection when displays are stacked vertically. This is a key area for developers to investigate.
 
The fact that horizontal display arrangements work correctly while vertical arrangements don't suggests that the bug might be related to how the extension calculates the boundaries between displays. When displays are stacked vertically, the extension might be miscalculating the position of the pointer barrier, causing the cursor to get stuck. This could be due to differences in how the operating system handles vertical and horizontal display configurations. Understanding these differences is crucial for identifying the root cause of the bug. Additionally, the resolutions of the displays might also play a role. Different resolutions can affect the size and position of the pointer barrier, potentially exacerbating the issue. Therefore, it's important to test the extension with a variety of display resolutions to ensure that it works correctly in all scenarios. By considering these additional factors, developers can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the bug and develop a more effective solution that addresses the underlying causes. So, keep these details in mind when reporting bugs and providing feedback to the developers.
In summary, if you're rocking a vertical dual-monitor setup and using the Kiwi extension, you might encounter this frustrating mouse cursor issue. Disabling the extension is a temporary workaround, but hopefully, this detailed report will help the developers squash the bug for good! Stay tuned for updates, and happy browsing! Remember, providing detailed information and reproducible steps is key to helping developers fix bugs quickly and efficiently. So, keep testing and keep reporting! Together, we can make the Kiwi extension even better. And don't forget to share your experiences with others who might be encountering the same issue. The more awareness we raise, the faster we can get this bug resolved. So, spread the word and let's get this fixed!