flutter / flutter/flutter

New Windows API leaves a lot to be desired

Open
#192,188 5 comments 2 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub
a: multi window c: proposal platform-windows team-windows
Dominant language
Dart
Stars
179k
Forks
31.1k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

### Use case

I had to write an on-screen protractor app for both Mac and Windows in Electron because the multi-windowing functionality in Flutter was wanting. The app requires a screen-sized frameless, transparent window that isn't currently possible in Flutter. In addition, the app also had a dialog consisting of multiple custom panes and it proved impossible to do it straight Flutter (it would helpful to know when the window has completed its layout, for example). There is also the opening black window bug on Mac OS, https://github.com/flutter/flutter/issues/184701#issuecomment-5288148458

### Proposal

Flutter should provide total access to underlying Window API for both Mac/Windows.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

Research direction

Start by reviewing Flutter’s existing Windows and macOS windowing APIs and how desktop windows are configured. The proposal requests broad underlying Window API access, including frameless transparent windows and notification of completed layout, but names no files, tests, or entry points. Done would require a defined, reviewed scope and platform-specific acceptance criteria.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
dart, flutter
Domain
desktop
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Active
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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