What happens when 2 users on the same laptop use this extension?

[novoid]

Hi,

I'm about to setup a notebook with two profiles: personal and business.

I may switch profiles via "switch user" or Ctrl-Alt-F-keys.

I need to install this extension for both users in order to see it in the UI. The settings are not "synchronized". So when one user sets the values to 80%, the other user still sees its previous settings, i.e., 60%.

Can you tell me what happens in the background?

I can guess that the last user setting anything in this extension sets the current battery's limits, turning the visualization of the other user into outdated.

Or do you have a recommendation for me? E.g., use it only with one (main) user and never touch the settings at the second user?

[maniacx]

Interesting. Wow I never considered, what would happen if user switches account instead of logging out and relogin

Here is some information.

Charging threshold is stored in the laptop's Embedded Controller EC (microcontroller) . To changed charging threshold, the Bios or OS writes this values on the EC, and this is the reason why the charging threshold is maintained even when the laptop is powered off and not running any OS.

In Linux for some reason, on every boot/reboot these values gets over-written to 100 on most laptops.

So I designed the extension to store the current value in gsettings and restore it back when extension is enabled. This removed the burden for the user to change the settings every time the user boots the system.

Extensions only get enabled after user logs in
Extensions gets disabled, when user logs out or if user lock screen.

So in your case this is happening.

• UserA set threshold 60

• UserB set threshold 80

• Currently UserA logged in

• extensionA is enabled sets threshold to 80%

• Switch user,: userA in lock-screen mode. so extensionA is disabled.

• userB logs in extensionB is enabled. restores previous value by overwritten value to 60%

• SwitchUser: userB in lockscreen mode : disables extensionB

• userA unlocks screen and overwrites it previous settings, applying charging threshold to 80%

Would recommend you to keep both users charging threshold at the same value.

Note:

• Since this is a user extension, the settings are NOT shared between users. Each user has its own extension and gsetting space.

[novoid]

Thanks for the explanation!

One minor thing: I'm working with both users at the same time. This means that most of the time, no user is in lock-screen mode, both are active.

From your bullet points above, I'd deduct that it would be wise to remove the extension from my second user (which is only logged in optionally) and use it only with my first user, which is always running (either locked or unlocked). Right?

And there's another question: in GNOME 48 settings, there is Power > Battery Charging > (Maximize Charge & Preserve Battery Health): how does this setting interfere with your extension? Should I keep it on a particular setting? Is this of no use as soon as I start using your extension? (You should mention this in your README/description as I do think that this is a rather new GNOME setting.)

Thanks!

[maniacx]

Unfortunately, I still don't have the settings for Gnome 48 settings. Which laptop do you have?

I can probably create a patch to set the charging threshold using UPower instead of sysfs. However, my main concern is testing. I can’t test it myself because my laptop (Asus) doesn’t currently support charging thresholds via UPower (which GNOME Settings relies on) and syncing all thresholds between Settings and the extension.

If you’re able to help with some information and testing, please let me know. It will likely require multiple attempts to install test versions of the extension and perform debugging, which can be a bit tedious. I’ll provide all the necessary steps and details.

Just curious. Why would you still use the extension, if there is already settings available in Gnome Settings. Is it because of easier access via quick settings button. Or is it due to using a custom value like 60?

[novoid]

Unfortunately, I still don't have the settings for Gnome 48 settings. Which laptop do you have?

Lenovo x13 2-in-1 Gen 5 i5. Can also test on Lenovo x260 and briefly on Lenovo T490 (if I do set it up as its NixOS got broken anyway).

All with Debian 13 Trixie GNOME 48.

I can probably create a patch to set the charging threshold using UPower instead of sysfs. However, my main concern is testing. I can’t test it myself because my laptop (Asus) doesn’t currently support charging thresholds via UPower (which GNOME Settings relies on) and syncing all thresholds between Settings and the extension.

I see.

If you’re able to help with some information and testing, please let me know. It will likely require multiple attempts to install test versions of the extension and perform debugging, which can be a bit tedious. I’ll provide all the necessary steps and details.

OK, I can see what I can do.

Just curious. Why would you still use the extension, if there is already settings available in Gnome Settings. Is it because of easier access via quick settings button. Or is it due to using a custom value like 60?

The GNOME feature has only 2 thresholds and no quick settings button in the upper right corner and no indicator icon as well. I do like your 3-way approach as I may use the minimum amount of battery level required for the next trip.