[Bug]: Entire screen displays "gray" before transparent chosen background color.

[nathana212]

Version

• I'm using version 1.14.1

Known issues

• I've checked Known issues

Existing issues

• I've checked Existing issues

Advanced Preferences

• I've checked Advanced Preferences

What operating system are you using?

Windows

Operating System Version

12.2.1

Reproduction steps

1. Start the application
2. Wait for break
3. First the entire screen goes to gray. (see screenshot)
4. Then it goes to the chosen transparent color. (see screenshot)

Expected Behavior

Display goes immediately to chosen transparent color, not gray.

Actual Behavior

Displays entire screen of gray for a split-second before going to correct color.

Relevant log output

No response

Preferences

microbreakDuration	60000
microbreakInterval	1200000
breakDuration	1200000
breakInterval	4
breakNotification	true
microbreakNotification	true
breakNotificationInterval	30000
microbreakNotificationInterval	10000
microbreak	true
break	true
microbreakStrictMode	false
breakStrictMode	false
morningHour	6
microbreakPostpone	true
breakPostpone	true
microbreakPostponeTime	120000
breakPostponeTime	300000
microbreakPostponesLimit	2
microbreakPostponableDurationPercent	30
breakPostponesLimit	2
breakPostponableDurationPercent	30
mainColor	"#1D1F21"
miniBreakColor	"#1D1F21"
transparentMode	true
opacity	0.4
audio	"crystal-glass"
miniBreakAudio	"crystal-glass"
volume	1
fullscreen	false
ideas	true
naturalBreaks	true
naturalBreaksInactivityResetTime	300000
allScreens	true
useIdeasFromSettings	false
language	"en"
notifyNewVersion	true
isFirstRun	false
posLatitude	0
posLongitude	0
useMonochromeTrayIcon	true
useMonochromeInvertedTrayIcon	false
silentNotifications	true
monitorDnd	true
microbreakStartSoundPlaying	false
breakStartSoundPlaying	false
themeSource	"system"
endBreakShortcut	"CmdOrCtrl+X"
breakWindowWidth	0.99
breakWindowHeight	0.99
checkNewVersion	false
breakIdeas	
0	
data	
0	"Not alone"
1	"Do you find it hard to take a break alone? Try to do it with a co-worker. Aside from making it easier to stick to breaks, you will have a chance to get to know them better. Taking breaks together increases productivity."
enabled	true
1	
data	
0	"Step away"
1	"Do you ever notice how your brain can figure things out by itself? All it takes is to step away from the computer and take a break to think about something totally unrelated."
enabled	true
2	
data	
0	"Microbreaks"
1	"Rest is a key component in ensuring the performance of the musculoskeletal system. Frequent breaks can decrease the duration of a task and help lower the exposure to ergonomic injury risk."
enabled	true
3	
data	
0	"Meditation"
1	"Research studies suggest that mindfulness-based exercises help decrease anxiety, depression, stress, and pain, and help improve general health, mental health, and quality of life. Not sure how to start? There are numerous apps to help you out."
enabled	true
4	
data	
0	"Blink"
1	"Looking at screens for a long time causes you to blink less, thus exposing your eyes to the air. Blink rapidly for a few seconds to refresh the tear film and clear dust from the eye surface."
enabled	true
5	
data	
0	"Ergonomics"
1	"Improper height and angle of the keyboard, mouse, monitor or working surface can cause health problems. Take some time to read about desk ergonomics."
enabled	true
6	
data	
0	"Move"
1	"There are a lot of ways you can exercise within your office. Try marching in place or doing desk push-ups."
enabled	true
7	
data	
0	"Change"
1	"Do you have a stability ball or standing work desk? Consider replacing your desk chair with them for a while."
enabled	true
8	
data	
0	"Notice"
1	"Are you daydreaming or having trouble focusing? It is a sign that you need to take a break."
enabled	true
9	
data	
0	"Tech"
1	"How about taking a no-tech walk?"
enabled	true
10	
data	
0	"Metabolism"
1	"Emerging research shows that sitting for long periods of time contributes to risk of metabolic syndrome, heart attack and stroke risk and overall death risk, among others. Taking regular walking breaks can help your circulation, working to counteract some of those problems."
enabled	true
11	
data	
0	"Active Meetings"
1	"How about moving meetings from the conference room to the concourse? Walking not only burns calories but it may even foster a sense of collaboration."
enabled	true
12	
data	
0	"Fruit"
1	"Take your time and eat some fruit. Slowly. Notice the flavor, the texture, the freshness."
enabled	true
13	
data	
0	"Bathrooms"
1	"Walk to the farthest bathroom in the worksite facility when going to the restroom."
enabled	true
14	
data	
0	"Coffee break"
1	"Going on coffee break? Consider doing a 5-minute walk every time you go for one."
enabled	true
15	
data	
0	"Colleagues"
1	"Do not email or message office colleagues, walk to their desks to communicate with them."
enabled	true
16	
data	
0	"Learning"
1	"In a study of healthy volunteers, NIH researchers found that taking short breaks, early and often, may help our brains learn new skills."
enabled	true
17	
data	
0	"Exercise"
1	"Evidence suggests small amounts of regular exercise can bring dramatic health benefits, including measurably reducing stress."
enabled	true
18	
data	
0	"Repeat"
1	"Have you found your stretch-ly-routine? Do not forget to repeat it for more than once to better fight effects of prolonged sitting."
enabled	true
19	
data	
0	"Wrist and forearm"
1	"Extend your arms with the palms facing towards you, then slowly rotate the hands four times clockwise, then four times counter-clockwise."
enabled	true
20	
data	
0	"Back stretching"
1	"Join your hands behind your head, then lift them together up above your head ending with your palms facing upward."
enabled	true
21	
data	
0	"Mobilize"
1	"For every thirty minutes of stagnation, you should have at least one minute of stimulation."
enabled	true
22	
data	
0	"7 Minute Workout"
1	"This workout packs in a full-body exercise routine in a fraction of the time. But as with any exercise, be careful. There are numerous apps to get you started."
enabled	true
23	
data	
0	"Pulse"
1	" Raise your pulse rate to 120 beats per minute for 20 straight minutes four or five times a week doing anything you enjoy. Regularly raising your heart rate results in improved cardiovascular health."
enabled	true
24	
data	
0	"Take the stairs "
1	"Studies have shown that stair climbing, which is considered vigorous-intensity physical activity, burns more calories per minute than jogging."
enabled	true
25	
data	
0	"Make art"
1	"Art therapy is known to have great mental health benefits, especially when it comes to stress management. How about writing a quick poem, taking a picture or painting something small?"
enabled	true
26	
data	
0	"Declutter"
1	"A clean space helps your focus at work and is often linked to positive emotions like happiness."
enabled	true
27	
data	
0	"Lunch outside"
1	"Nature is linked to positive emotions and decreased stress and anxiety. Whenever possible, try to take your daily lunch break outside, surrounded by some greenery."
enabled	true
28	
data	
0	"Public transport"
1	"If you use public transport regularly, you can stand instead of sitting. If it is possible, try to replace as many of your daily trips as possible with walking or cycling."
enabled	true
29	
data	
0	"Yawning"
1	"Yawning can be really helpful, as it produces tears to help moisten and lubricate the eyes."
enabled	true
30	
data	
0	"Focus change"
1	"Hold one finger close to the eye and focus on it. Slowly move the finger away, focus far into the distance and then back to the finger. Bring the finger back and focus on something far away."
enabled	true
31	
data	
0	"Palming"
1	"While seated, brace elbows on the desk and close to the desk edge. Let your weight fall forward and cup hands over eyes. Close your eyes and inhale slowly through nose and hold for few seconds. Continue deep breathing."
enabled	true
32	
data	
0	"Hand squeezes"
1	"Squeeze a pair of balled-up socks or a soft rubber ball, hold for 5 seconds. Repeat whole process few times."
enabled	true
microbreakIdeas	
0	
data	"Go grab a glass of water."
enabled	true
1	
data	"Slowly look all the way left, then right."
enabled	true
2	
data	"Slowly look all the way up, then down."
enabled	true
3	
data	"Close your eyes and take few deep breaths."
enabled	true
4	
data	"Close your eyes and relax."
enabled	true
5	
data	"Stretch your legs."
enabled	true
6	
data	"Stretch your arms."
enabled	true
7	
data	"Is your sitting posture correct?"
enabled	true
8	
data	"Slowly turn head to side and hold for 10 seconds."
enabled	true
9	
data	"Slowly tilt head to side and hold for 5-10 seconds."
enabled	true
10	
data	"Stand from your chair and stretch."
enabled	true
11	
data	"Refocus your eyes on an object at least 20 meters away."
enabled	true
12	
data	"Take a moment to think about something you appreciate."
enabled	true
13	
data	"Take a moment to smile at being alive."
enabled	true
14	
data	"A truly ergonomic workstation is one that you regularly push away from."
enabled	true
15	
data	"Close your eyes and count your breaths."
enabled	true
16	
data	"Close your eyes and name the things you hear."
enabled	true
17	
data	"Place your fingertips on your shoulders. Roll your shoulders forward for 10 seconds, then backward."
enabled	true
18	
data	"Raise your right arm, stretch it over your head to the left, and hold for 10 seconds. Repeat on the other side."
enabled	true
19	
data	"With your right hand, grab each finger of your left hand in turn and squeeze. Repeat on the other side."
enabled	true
20	
data	"Stand up and do a lunge. Hold for 10 seconds, then do the other leg."
enabled	true
21	
data	"Close your eyes and simply notice whatever arises in current moment, without judgement."
enabled	true
22	
data	"Focus every 20 minutes for 20 seconds on an object at 20 feet distance."
enabled	true
23	
data	"If you need help, ask for it."
enabled	true
24	
data	"Do one thing at a time."
enabled	true
25	
data	"Is your attention spent wisely?"
enabled	true
26	
data	"Change your sitting posture."
enabled	true
27	
data	"Expose your eyes to natural light."
enabled	true
28	
data	"With your eyes closed, slowly and gently raise your eyes to the ceiling and back down to the floor."
enabled	true
29	
data	"With your eyes closed, slowly and gently move your eyes to the left, then slowly to the right."
enabled	true
30	
data	"Shake your hands out to get some relief."
enabled	true
31	
data	"One at a time, touch the tip of each finger to the tip of your thumb so they make an O-shape."
enabled	true
32	
data	"Make a fist and then slide your fingers up until they point toward the ceiling, like you're telling someone to stop."
enabled	true
33	
data	"Make a fist and then fan your fingers out and stretch them as far as you can."
enabled	true
showBreaksAsRegularWindows	false
appExclusions	
0	
rule	"pause"
active	true
commands	
0	"zoom.us"
1	"FaceTime.app"
appExclusionsCheckInterval	1000
pauseForSuspendOrLock	true
pauseBreaksToggleShortcut	""
screen	"primary"
timeToBreakInTray	false
currentTimeInBreaks	false
showTrayIcon	true
pauseBreaksShortcut	""
resumeBreaksShortcut	""
__internal__	
migrations	
version	"1.14.1"

Additional information

I have remained on version 1.7.0 as that has been the latest stable version for me - every other later release has some kind of bug or issue and version 1.7.0 works exactly as expected.

Code of Conduct

• I agree to follow this project's Code of Conduct

[hovancik]

Hi @nathana212 and thanks for the report. This is a known electron behavior where it takes some time to show the correct colors. I have some workarounds in code but I guess they are not enough. Not sure if I can make it better ;/

[nathana212]

Thanks @hovancik. As noted, the process still works perfectly in 1.7.0 (and that's the last version it seems to work correctly), so is there something from the code that could be pulled from that version?

I understand for most this may not be not an issue, but I'm an audiobook narrator and even when the break starts, it's nice that I can still see through the color and finish the current sentence without having to immediately restart (because it flashes an opaque gray first).

[hovancik]

Hey, sorry for not replying @nathana212 . Too many issues :(

I have no idea if there would be any help trying to get code from 1.7.0 because Electron had many updates meanwhile and I remember I did rather big changes because of some bugs in that area.

Is this still similar with latest Stretchly? I can try looking into code again, maybe I will come up with something

[nathana212]

Thanks for checking in on this. Just tried latest version, 1.15.1, and the same momentary opaque issue is still happening before the transparent effect. Looks like I'll just keep using 1.7 for now.

[hovancik]

Ok, I think this is the change: #978. Funny enough, it was to address the bug where there was blank break window.

[hovancik]

@nathana212 are you able to test #1442 locally? I don't have supported mac machine, but it seems to help (but not always) with your issue.

[nathana212]

If you can walk me through how to test that, sure. I've only ever downloaded the .dmg packages to install

[hovancik]

No worries, I was able to make a new build: can you try? https://conta.noho.st/nextcloud/s/YfWsZma6yA7e33f

[nathana212]

Tried this out. It seems to usually be fine and not present the problem, but every now and then, the gray screen still flashes before transparency. I reduced the opacity to .3 and that seemed to create the gray flash, but then I changed it back to .4 (my original setting), then back to .3 and the gray flash is sporadic. I can't seem to consistently re-create it, though at higher opacities (> .5), I don't notice it as much. Might the opacity have an impact on this behavior?

I'll also note that when it does work correctly (no gray flash, just transparency) the transition to the break seems a little stronger than 1.7. I'd have to re-install and check that (might just be remembering it differently), but would anything have changed with how the screen loads from 1.7 to 1.15.99?

[hovancik]

Transparency in Electron is not working well, so yeah, it is because of it :)

What do you mean that transitions seems a little stronger?

What I changed is the time when I show the break window (it is hidden by default and I try to show it when it should be ready loading all the things). Before I was waiting for some electron event telling me that break window is ready/done loading, and now I am not trusting the event, but show the Break only when my code tells me that all the changes I am doing for break window are done. Non is perfect.