Compact sidebar keeps popping up flickering when switching to a zen window with focus in macOS

[sameerasw]

Captchas

• I have read the instructions.
• I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• I am not filing an enhancement request.
• I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.
• I have checked that this issue can be reproduced once I removed all my Mods and Custom CSS.

What happened?

When switching to Zen from another app, space or a window, the compact sidebar keeps popping up and flickering for a second. I have experienced this behavior with regular window switching, with stage manager, with switching between spaces and also with my Window manager as well... From my experience, only reproduce-able on macOS.

Tested on both release (1st workspace) and also a new vanilla install of Twilight (2nd workspace) and I have been experiencing this for quite a few updates by now. Also tried with brand new profiles on Stable as well.

Add to that, I have also disabled this flag zen.view.compact.show-sidebar-and-toolbar-on-hover false in about:config because I never use the compact sidebar so did not want it to pop-up on hover at all. But it keeps popping up or trying to and do the flicker. I am a keyboard centric user so I only use the non compact sidebar if I need without hover.

CleanShot.2025-05-08.at.12.41.28.mp4

Version

1.12.2b (Firefox 138.0.1) (aarch64)

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

macOS - aarch64

What component is this issue related to?

Compact Mode

Relevant log output if applicable

[sameerasw]

Add to that, there seems to be even weirder artifacts and such caused when Zen is in full screen mode... And also the compact sidebar pops up too which is not supposed to do...

CleanShot.2025-05-08.at.1.05.45.mp4

I can provide logs if needed, please guide me if needed.

[dosubot]

Hi, @sameerasw. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• Flickering problem with the compact sidebar in Zen mode on macOS.
• Occurs when switching between applications or windows.
• Persists despite testing on multiple setups and disabling sidebar hover feature.
• Strange artifacts and unexpected behavior in full-screen mode, including sidebar popping up.
• Offered to provide logs for further investigation.

Next Steps:

• Please confirm if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting here.
• If no updates are provided, the issue will be automatically closed in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[sameerasw]

Can not replicate anymore

[dosubot]

Thank you for your contribution, sameerasw! We appreciate your help in keeping the project organized.