Bug 498202

Summary:	KDE Present Windows does not show windows in most recently used order
Product:	[Plasma] kwin	Reporter:	beatlink+kdebugs
Component:	effects-present-windows	Assignee:	KWin default assignee <kwin-bugs-null>
Status:	CLOSED INTENTIONAL
Severity:	normal	CC:	beatlink+kdebugs, kde, nate
Priority:	NOR
Version First Reported In:	6.2.4
Target Milestone:	---
Platform:	Other
OS:	Linux
Latest Commit:		Version Fixed/Implemented In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description beatlink+kdebugs 2025-01-03 11:54:03 UTC

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SUMMARY
KDE Present Windows does not show windows in most recently used order but rather an arbitrary order that makes it difficult to find open applications

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. Go to Screen Edges and Corners in Settings
2. Set any edge or corner to "Present Windows", "Overview",  or "Grid"

OBSERVED RESULT
Notice how unlike the other task switchers (Compact, Cover Switch, Flip Switch, Large Icons, Sidebar,  Thumbnail Grid, the view does not sort by recently used but rather by an arbitrary order) 

EXPECTED RESULT
The "Present Windows", "Overview",  or "Grid" views should sort windows by most recently used

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Windows: N/A
macOS: N/A
(available in the Info Center app, or by running `kinfo` in a terminal window)
Linux/KDE Plasma: NixOS 25.05 
KDE Plasma Version: 6.2.4
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.9.0
Qt Version: 6.8.1

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Comment 1 Nate Graham 2025-01-03 18:00:32 UTC

Present Windows isn't a Task Switcher, it's a separate visualization. I'm afraid the current ordering is intentional, the result of much discussion.

Comment 2 beatlink+kdebugs 2025-01-03 18:58:41 UTC

In that case, 

1. What exactly is the ordering of the windows and why was said ordering chosen? 
2. What exactly is present windows if not a task switcher?
3. Can a task switcher be created that operates as present window currently does? (preview of all windows displayed on a grid). Thumbnail grid is the closest but it is not full screen and the previews are small

Comment 3 Nate Graham 2025-01-03 19:07:44 UTC

1. The order is somewhat spatial, according to the actual positions of windows on screen. I say "somewhat" because it can't be perfect (e.g. what if all windows are stacked on the right side).
2. A Task Switcher is a thing that appears when you press Alt+Tab.
3. Sure, anyone can create new Task Switcher visualizations. There are many available for download already.