Define Settings ownership boundaries

2026-08-18 13:27:52 -04:00
parent 9fc1fdbbbb
commit d87f4b6d6a
5 changed files with 179 additions and 15 deletions
@@ -59,6 +59,36 @@ If it is compositor-backed, add the matching `prefs.get("blurSize", 8)` in
 `hypr/looks.lua` so the Hyprland config still stands alone with no settings
 file.

+## Setting ownership
+
+Every preference has **one primary page**, derived from its schema `group` and
+the route in `services/SettingsSearch.qml`. Search results always open that
+owner. A control may appear on a second page only when the same adaptation is
+part of another established mental model; otherwise use a labelled handoff to
+the owner instead of duplicating it.
+
+### Intentional mirrors
+
+| Setting | Primary page | Mirror | Why the mirror earns its place |
+|---|---|---|---|
+| `animationsEnabled` | Appearance | Accessibility | Reduced motion belongs both to visual polish and motion accessibility. |
+| `cursorInactiveTimeout` | Mouse | Accessibility | Pointer visibility is configured with pointer behaviour but affects motor and visual access. |
+| `cursorSize` | Accessibility | Mouse | Large cursors are an accessibility adaptation that users also look for beside pointer controls. |
+| `inactiveOpacity` | Appearance | Accessibility | Window translucency is an appearance choice with a direct readability impact. |
+| `lockMinutes` | Power | Privacy | Idle timing owns the mechanism; privacy owns the expectation that the unattended desktop locks. |
+| `lockOnSleep` | Power | Privacy | Suspend owns the transition; privacy owns whether waking requires authentication. |
+
+Mirrors must remain the same schema-backed control, never a second preference
+or a copied default. Additions to this table require a concrete discoverability
+reason and an update to `tests/quickshell/settings-ownership-contract.sh`.
+
+Window border colour follows the same ownership rule. The inactive border is a
+**scheme-relative role** owned by `ColorScheme.qml`: it changes only to retain
+neutral contrast in light and dark modes. The focused Prism border is the
+accent role owned by the visual theme (and, eventually, an accent picker).
+`ColorScheme.qml` must never write the focused border, so changing schemes
+cannot erase a user-selected accent.
+
 ## The rows

 | Component | For |