Bug 506617 - Regression(?): screen video recording seems to be unstoppable when not having a system tray
Summary: Regression(?): screen video recording seems to be unstoppable when not having...
Status: CONFIRMED
Alias: None
Product: Spectacle
Classification: Applications
Component: General (other bugs)
Version First Reported In: 6.4.1
Platform: postmarketOS Linux
: NOR normal
Target Milestone: ---
Assignee: Noah Davis
URL:
Keywords: usability
Depends on:
Blocks:
 
Reported: 2025-07-05 06:40 UTC by Ellie
Modified: 2025-10-14 16:20 UTC (History)
3 users (show)

See Also:
Latest Commit:
Version Fixed/Implemented In: 6.5.0
Sentry Crash Report:


Attachments
Photo of how Spectacle has no button to stop recording (563.45 KB, image/jpeg)
2025-07-05 06:41 UTC, Ellie
Details

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Description Ellie 2025-07-05 06:40:48 UTC
SUMMARY

In the newest Spectacle version, screen video recording seems to be unstoppable when not having a system ray. There used to be a button to stop the recording inside Spectacle's window shown right under the timer, if I recall correctly. That button now seems to be gone. I took a photo of how a desktop without system tray looks like when being recorded, and how there is seemingly no way to stop it.

STEPS TO REPRODUCE

1.  Remove system tray (since e.g. you find it too distracting)
2. Press print to open up recording options
3. Start "New recording" of entire screen

OBSERVED RESULT

You can't stop the recording anymore even if you explicitly open up the Spectacle window to look for the stop button.

EXPECTED RESULT

There used to be a stop button in the Spectacle window, I think. This button seems to be missing now, leaving users potentially stranded.

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS

Windows: 
macOS: 
(available in the Info Center app, or by running `kinfo` in a terminal window)
Linux/KDE Plasma: postmarketOS edge based on Alpine Edge
KDE Plasma Version: 6.4.1
KDE Frameworks Version: 6.15.0
Qt Version: 6.8.3

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Comment 1 Ellie 2025-07-05 06:41:35 UTC
Created attachment 182968 [details]
Photo of how Spectacle has no button to stop recording
Comment 2 TraceyC 2025-07-09 22:52:43 UTC
I confirm this in git-master. There is no way to stop a screen recording unless you have a system tray.
There isn't a button, or a keyboard shortcut to do this.
Comment 3 Noah Davis 2025-07-11 14:39:30 UTC
(In reply to TraceyC from comment #2)
> I confirm this in git-master. There is no way to stop a screen recording
> unless you have a system tray.
> There isn't a button, or a keyboard shortcut to do this.

The keyboard shortcut to stop is any shortcut that can start a recording. On git master the names for the shortcuts should reflect this.
Comment 4 Ellie 2025-07-11 15:05:41 UTC
While it is true that pressing "print" stops the recording, this isn't very obvious in my opinion. The obvious place would be the spectacle window. Is there any reason why the unmissable stop button contained in the spectacle window, right under the timer, was removed? I think the best fix would be to simply add it back.
Comment 5 Nate Graham 2025-08-26 23:38:24 UTC
In Plasma 6.5.0, the notification about the recording starting will also tell you how to stop it, which can be useful if you don't have a system tray.
Comment 6 Ellie 2025-08-27 05:54:37 UTC
What about people who use do not disturb? It seems to me like Spectacle should offer a "Stop" button nevertheless. Sorry if I'm missing something.
Comment 7 Nate Graham 2025-08-27 15:52:20 UTC
The notification still appears in DND mode.
Comment 8 Ellie 2025-08-27 16:29:06 UTC
Hm, does it give a keyboard combination though? I feel like that's still a problem e.g. on touch devices. You can currently start recording by pressing a button in the Spectacle UI but not stop it. If you have no system tray, there's also no stop button there.
Comment 9 Ellie 2025-10-12 00:20:24 UTC
I ran into this again, CTRL+SHIFT+ALT+R simply didn't stop it, I guess I changed the shortcut at some point. Checked the window, nothing. Nothing in the system tray since I don't have one. Had to open the terminal all while the recording was forever ongoing, type "spectacle", only then it stopped. (I guess I could have dug out the notification too, but then I would have risked getting my notifications with personal messages recorded and having to make sure to crop that.)

I'm curious why the old stop button in the spectacle window was removed. That felt easy and intuitive, but you seem reluctant to add it back. Perhaps if the reason for that is more clear, alternate options could be found.
Comment 10 TraceyC 2025-10-14 16:20:07 UTC
I'm going to reopen this, since it does seem that having the button removed has caused a step back in terms of usability.
Comment 11 TraceyC 2025-10-14 16:20:21 UTC
.