COSMIC adds inactive window styling, custom shortcuts, & more ahead of Alpha release

The COSMIC team is nearing the release of the alpha version of their new Rust-based desktop environment, with only 20 issues left to resolve. Key features from the last update include the addition of inactive window styling, where headers now use distinct colors, such as grey in Dark Mode, to differentiate from active windows. Users can now customize keyboard shortcuts via Input Settings, complete with error messages to prevent conflicts. The new Super+Tab feature allows seamless switching between open windows, displaying a list of applications similar to the Launcher tool. Additionally, display mirroring has been added to the Display Settings panel, enabling the same image to be shown across multiple screens.

A panel overflow menu is being developed to manage crowded panels by housing extra apps and applets. The Settings application now boasts improved performance thanks to the wgpu renderer and better responsiveness to narrow window widths. COSMIC's compositor has also been optimized for multi-threading, enhancing performance in scenarios involving high refresh rates and multiple monitors. A patch to iced_wgpu has addressed multi-GPU workflow issues, such as unwanted GPU activation and hybrid graphics mode problems. The FlexRow widget in libcosmic now uses Taffy for UI layout, featuring new fields for alignment and justification.

Community contributions continue to play a vital role, adding new features and resolving issues. Dark Mode has seen enhancements, with inactive window icons now styled in a distinguished grey for better visibility. The team is actively addressing remaining issues and implementing new features as they prepare for the alpha release. For a detailed list of additions and bug fixes, refer to the official announcement.