# Deskmeter Task Window - Regular Mode

A simple GTK4 window that displays your current deskmeter task, with always-on-top and sticky (visible on all workspaces) properties.

## Why Use This?

- **Testing**: Test the dmweb API integration without needing to restart GNOME Shell
- **Temporary solution**: Use while waiting to log out/in to activate the extension
- **Standalone mode**: If you prefer a window instead of a panel indicator

## Prerequisites

- Python 3 with GTK4 bindings (`python3-gi`)
- dmweb server running on `http://localhost:10000`
- `wmctrl` installed (for always-on-top functionality)

## Quick Start

### Option 1: Using the launcher script (recommended)

```bash
cd /home/mariano/wdir/dm-gnomeext
./run_task_window.sh
```

This will:
1. Start the task window
2. Automatically set it to always-on-top
3. Make it visible on all workspaces (sticky)

### Option 2: Run Python script directly

```bash
cd /home/mariano/wdir/dm-gnomeext
python3 task_window.py
```

Then manually set window properties:
- Right-click window title bar → "Always on Top"
- Right-click window title bar → "Always on Visible Workspace" (if available)

Or use wmctrl:
```bash
# After window appears
wmctrl -r "Deskmeter Task" -b add,above,sticky
```

## What You'll See

- **Loading...** - Initial state while fetching first task
- **work/default** - Your current task path (updates every 2.2 seconds)
- **offline - dmweb not running** (red) - Cannot connect to API
- **error - invalid API response** (orange) - API returned invalid JSON
- **no task** - Valid response but no current task set

## Configuration

Edit `task_window.py` to customize:

```python
UPDATE_INTERVAL = 2200  # Update frequency in milliseconds
DESKMETER_API_URL = 'http://localhost:10000/api/current_task'  # API endpoint
```

Window appearance (line ~24):
```python
self.set_default_size(400, 80)  # Width x Height
```

Font size and styling (line ~27):
```python
self.label.set_markup('<span font_desc="14">Loading...</span>')
```

## Stopping the Window

- Close the window normally (X button)
- Or kill the process: `pkill -f task_window.py`

## Troubleshooting

### "offline - dmweb not running"

Start the dmweb server:
```bash
cd ~/path/to/dm/dmapp/dmweb
python3 run.py
```

Test manually:
```bash
curl http://localhost:10000/api/current_task
```

### Window not staying on top

```bash
# Manually set properties
wmctrl -r "Deskmeter Task" -b add,above,sticky

# Check if wmctrl is installed
which wmctrl
# If not: sudo apt install wmctrl
```

### GTK4 not found

```bash
# Install GTK4 Python bindings
sudo apt install python3-gi gir1.2-gtk-4.0
```

### Window appears on wrong workspace

Use wmctrl to make it sticky (visible on all workspaces):
```bash
wmctrl -r "Deskmeter Task" -b add,sticky
```

## Comparison: Window vs Extension

| Feature | Task Window (this) | GNOME Extension |
|---------|-------------------|-----------------|
| Always visible | ✅ (when on top) | ✅ (in panel) |
| All workspaces | ✅ (sticky) | ✅ (panel always visible) |
| Screen space | Takes window space | No extra space |
| Setup | Run anytime | Requires logout/login |
| Integration | Separate window | Native panel integration |
| Restart needed | No | Yes (on Wayland) |

## Usage Tips

1. **Position**: Drag to top-right corner of screen for minimal interference
2. **Size**: The window can be resized - smaller is less intrusive
3. **Transparency**: You can use GNOME Tweaks to make unfocused windows transparent
4. **Auto-start**: Add to Startup Applications if you want it to run on login

## Adding to Startup (Optional)

```bash
# Create desktop entry
cat > ~/.config/autostart/deskmeter-task-window.desktop <<EOF
[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Deskmeter Task Window
Exec=/home/mariano/wdir/dm-gnomeext/run_task_window.sh
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
EOF
```

## Files

- `task_window.py` - Main GTK4 Python application
- `run_task_window.sh` - Launcher script with wmctrl integration
- `TASK_WINDOW_README.md` - This file

## Next Steps

Once you've tested that the API integration works with this window, you can log out/in to test the GNOME extension, which will provide the same information in the panel without taking up window space.