Cinnamon 6.6.5 - XKB keyboard layout switch stop working while cinnamon text field is active

[MrCapone]

Distribution

22.3

Package version

6.6.5

Graphics hardware in use

Nvidia Geforce RTX 4090

Frequency

Always

Bug description

After updating to 22.3 keyboard layout switch changed, but it worked inconsistently so I reverted to XKB switching by Alt+Shift. But when some Cinnamon text field is on screen layout switching stop working.

Steps to reproduce

Open menu and try to press Alt+Shift to switch keyboard layout

Expected behavior

Keyboard layout switched to the next one

Additional information

Also happens when some application requires root access and password dialogue pop ups.

[carsteneu]

maybe related to this #13473 - can you try the fix? You have to restart cinnamon after changing the file, please create a backupfile :-)

[MrCapone]

@carsteneu i tried to change file according the pull request, but it didn't help. Also problem occurs not only in menu but in any cinnamon text field (root password input, alt+f2).

[perdakovich]

same, i just came in to report the issue but it's already there =)
#13473 patch did not help

[carsteneu]

Thank you very much for your feedback - there may be a general problem with the key press event handler.

[anatolij-novoselcev]

This solution helped me.
When switching layouts in Cinnamon text fields, it is important to follow the correct sequence of keystrokes. In my case, I first press the left Alt key, and only then the left Shift key.

[anatolij-novoselcev]

Unfortunately, this option does not work when the user has locked the computer. But there is a workaround: switching using the mouse.

[carsteneu]

I think i found the reason - Commit 6a51054 changed the keybinding system:

BEFORE:

switch-input-source → global.display (Mutter/Meta)
→ main.js intercepts it
→ invoke_keybinding_action_by_id()
→ Works everywhere

AFTER:
switch-input-source → Main.keybindingManager (Cinnamon)
→ main.js does NOT find it!
→ global.display.get_keybinding_action() = 0
→ NOT fired!

Why was this done?

Commit message: "This allows the switch-input-source keybindings to operate in modal states (popups open, etc...)."

The intention was in my point of view: KeybindingManager should enable keybindings in modals.
As far as i unterstand - this means:

• Components now have to interact with KeybindingManager themselves
• main.js can no longer centrally catch all keybindings

[carsteneu]

You can try the above proposed solution—but please make sure you have a backup copy of all files. I have tested it locally, but these fields are critical to your system. The solution may be a working solution, but it may not be the best or even the right one.

[MrCapone]

Before update everything worked just fine through XKB. After update new Cinnamon keybinding management was added. As far as I understand XKB is deprecated now and Cinnamon team expect us to use new system for switching keyboard layouts. Yes this system works everywhere, in Menu, password pop up and etc. But it unreliable and uncomfortable to use. It depends on key pressing order, so Alt+Shift and Shift+Alt are completely different combinations. It has some significant delays, but this inconsistent. For example Shift+Alt works almost instantly but Alt+Shift requires to press Alt wait and then press Shift. Also let's not forget that sometime we have to work in console without any DE, and console will ignore that options. XKB doesn't have all that flaws and works perfect. But it doesn't work everywhere.

[perdakovich]

in my case, i didn't have the Cinnamon "switch layout" bound at all, i had only added an xkb option, so that's the reason it didn't work. you need both xkb and cinnamon configured to make it work properly

What I noticed is that if you have it bound like this, with Alt+Shift in one "field" (I'm not sure why it calls Shift a "next group" when it's together with Alt):

...then the switching will be inconsistent

But if you bind them in separate "fields" like this:

...then everything works, except for the lock screen. apparently, the lock screen has its own layout system
Another thing I noticed is that it always defaults to the English layout, even if you had another layout selected previously.
This is a consequence of it having its own layout system, it doesn't change the layout system-wide, so after unlocking, you will still have the same layout you were using before. Assuming most people use English passwords, this is actually optimal and quite handy.

[MrCapone]

@perdakovich It's not very obvious. But it works. I understand I need to add Alt R + Shift R separately?

[perdakovich]

i don't know how to add more binds this way.
nor do i know how to make a bind with more than 2 keys
i guess for that you'll need an answer from Cinnamon team
i don't use Alt R + Shift R so it's not a problem for me