bug(form-field): notch width is out of sync with custom label content during layout changes
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- TypeScript
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Description
### Is this a regression?
- [ ] Yes, this behavior used to work in the previous version
### The previous version in which this bug was not present was
_No response_
### Description
The MDC-based mat-form-field (outline appearance) fails to synchronously update the notch (gap) width when the content inside mat-label changes its layout or when the container is resized. This is especially evident when using custom components with Flexbox inside the label (e.g., for adding help icons or tooltips).
### Reproduction
StackBlitz link: https://stackblitz.com/edit/components-issue-starter-gnupffhv?file=src%2Fmain.ts
Steps to reproduce:
1. Create a `mat-form-field` with `appearance="outline"` and `floatLabel="always"`.
2. Apply `display: flex` to the `mat-label` (or a container immediately inside it).
3. Place a text string and an icon (e.g., `mat-icon`) inside that flex container.
4. Dynamically change the width of the form field's container (e.g., by resizing the browser window or using a slider in the provided reproduction).
5. Observe the behavior of the label content and the notch gap.
### Expected Behavior
The notch gap should resize synchronously with the label content to prevent any "sliding" or "drifting" effect. The gap in the outline should always match the actual width of the floating label in real-time during container resizing or layout shifts, ensuring that the border never overlaps the label's text or icons.
### Actual Behavior
There is a significant visual lag in the label's positioning and scaling. While the browser's layout engine expands the container instantly, the label's text content moves and resizes with a delay.
In this implementation, we intentionally prioritize the visibility of the tooltip/icon over the label text.. This ensures that the help trigger is always accessible to the user, even on small screens
Lag Animation: https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a3e9ff59-8586-449b-95d1-d5d0b3e0f727
### Environment
- Angular: 21.2.10
- CDK/Material: 21.2.8
- Browser(s): Chrome 147.0.7727.138
- Operating System (e.g. Windows, macOS, Ubuntu): Windows
Contributor guide
Research direction
Start with the provided StackBlitz reproduction in src/main.ts and inspect the mat-form-field outline behavior while resizing the container. Compare the floating mat-label content with the notch during layout changes. Done means the notch tracks the label width synchronously without visible sliding, drifting, or overlap.
Written by the indexing model from the issue text.
Assessment
- Tech stack
- angular, typescript
- Domain
- frontend
- Issue type
- Bug
- Difficulty
- 3/5
- Estimated time
- 1-2 days
- Activity status
- Quiet
- Clarity
- Mostly clear
- Newbie friendliness
- 52/100