How to make an autohidden KDE panel autoreappear

Hi,

I am currently using the following.

Operating System: Debian GNU/Linux 12(.5 fully updated)
KDE Plasma Version: 5.27.5
KDE Frameworks Version: 5.103.0
Qt Version: 5.15.8
Kernel Version: 6.1.0-30-amd64 (64-bit)
Graphics Platform: Wayland

Recently I tried to set my KDE Plasma panel to autohide so that the panel would hide when “not needed” but could once again be made visible just by placing the mouse pointer on that edge of the screen. So I right-clicked on an empty part of the panel and selected “Enter Edit Mode” from the pop-up menu that appeared. I then clicked on the “More Options” button on the right of the panel. In the pop-up menu that appeared I selected Autohide in the Visibility section.

The panel has now disappeared from the Plasma desktop. However, when I place the mouse pointer next to that screen edge, the panel does not(!) auto reappear. How do I now get the autohidden panel to now auto reappear ?
(Aside: This is the panel that hosts the application launcher and the notification tray.)

I have done a web search but could not(!) find anything relating to making an autohidden KDE Plasma panel reappear.

I now realise that instead of choosing “Autohide”, I should have chosen “Windows Can Cover”.

Stuart

Right-click on an empty space on the desktop and select Enter Edit Mode in the Context Menu. The panel should reappear.

I also chose Autohide, Tansluscent and Floating. In addition, I also assigned a keyboard combo (Meta+`) to toggle Hide and Show Panel. This way I don’t have to drag my cursor to the desktop edge.

I chose dodge windows cause I found it to be better than auto hide with Plasma 6.0 and newer.

You should know depending on which kind of panel you’re referring to there is a bug in Plasma that on reboot or logoff the panel(s) can disappear and or simply be smaller that what you set. When you see this either cightclick on the panel you can see and select edit mode or rightclick on the desktop and select edit mode and the panel(s) will appear / fix themselves. Then you can just exit edit mode.

Good morning Archie,

Thank you for such a swift reply. As it turned out, the “fix” was even simpler. As I could no longer do anything, I just shut down and the laptop. The next time I booted the system, the panel just appeared normally, as though it had never been set to autohide. If this reappearance is a bug, thank goodness for it. :wink:

Stuart

Good morning BlueUSA,

Thank you for such a swift reply. As it turned out, the “fix” was even simpler. As I could no longer do anything, I just shut down and the laptop. The next time I booted the system, the panel just appeared normally, as though it had never been set to autohide. If this reappearance is a bug, thank goodness for it. :wink:

Now I am confused. I have just right clicked on the middle of the panel and selected “More Options”. Nowhere in the pop up menu does it offer an option to “dodge windows”. Also, that’s why I use Linux. :wink:

Stuart

Yes it does provide the option to dodge.

“Dodge Windows” was added in Plasma 6, while @stuart is using Plasma 5 since Debian ships old software.

As for the original bug, it seems like a bug indeed. I can’t recall seeing any bug reports about this and I can’t reproduce the issue on current git master, so I assume it was fixed long ago.

In general Debian won’t give you an optimal UX with Plasma, as the software it ships lags behind what the developers have released by years — by which time any bugs found are virtually undebuggable. I’d recommend a distro that ships updated software more frequently.

I missed seeing that you’re on Plasma 5.27 because of your OS putting itself in a straitjacket. I’d suggest you find yourself a Arch based distro you like and switching to it. I’d suggest either Garuda or ReBornOS.

Hi BlueUSA,

Apologies for taking so long to reply. The reason I was confused by your statement that the KDE panel could be set to dodge windows is that I am running KDE Plasma 5.27.5 . This panels “More Options” pop up menu does not have a Dodge Windows option. So, I had never heard of this option. Sorry if I inadvertently caused any offence.

Stuart

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Don’t worry @Stuart u are not alone. I thought I knew the not-so-obvious crevices on KDE and I guess I’m wrong. I don’t know what Dodge Window is as well. :face_with_spiral_eyes:

UPDATE: I guess Vishnu makes mistakes as well. I found Doge Windows. I’m still OK with Autohide with a shortcut key to display the panel.

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I still strongly suggest you switch your OS to something that is fully up to date.