[GH-ISSUE #6906] Accessibility and desktop integration feedback for the new Linux tray app #11634

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opened 2026-08-05 01:30:14 -04:00 by saavagebueno · 3 comments
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Originally created by @roberto976 on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/6906

Environment

  • OS: Ubuntu 26.04 LTS
  • Desktop environment: GNOME Shell 50.1
  • Display protocol: Wayland
  • NetBird version: 0.75.0

Feedback

1. The previous tray icon was clearer and more accessible

The previous orange tray icon, with a clearly visible green indicator when the connection was active, was easier to recognize and understand at a glance than the current white icon.

In the new icon, the check mark and the X shown for the connection state have very low visual prominence and are almost impossible to distinguish for users with low vision. This is also an issue for many users with common age-related vision changes such as presbyopia.

Please consider restoring the stronger color contrast and larger, clearer connection-state indicators of the previous icon, or offering an accessible/high-contrast icon option.

2. The app does not need to remain permanently visible in the Dock

On GNOME, the NetBird application is permanently shown in the Dock while it is running. For an application that is primarily controlled through the system tray, this is unnecessary duplication and takes up Dock space.

Ideally, NetBird should remain available only in the system tray when its main window is closed or hidden. The Dock icon could appear only while the main window is open, or this behavior could be configurable.

Originally created by @roberto976 on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird/issues/6906 ### Environment - **OS:** Ubuntu 26.04 LTS - **Desktop environment:** GNOME Shell 50.1 - **Display protocol:** Wayland - **NetBird version:** 0.75.0 ### Feedback #### 1. The previous tray icon was clearer and more accessible The previous orange tray icon, with a clearly visible green indicator when the connection was active, was easier to recognize and understand at a glance than the current white icon. In the new icon, the check mark and the X shown for the connection state have very low visual prominence and are almost impossible to distinguish for users with low vision. This is also an issue for many users with common age-related vision changes such as presbyopia. Please consider restoring the stronger color contrast and larger, clearer connection-state indicators of the previous icon, or offering an accessible/high-contrast icon option. #### 2. The app does not need to remain permanently visible in the Dock On GNOME, the NetBird application is permanently shown in the Dock while it is running. For an application that is primarily controlled through the system tray, this is unnecessary duplication and takes up Dock space. Ideally, NetBird should remain available only in the system tray when its main window is closed or hidden. The Dock icon could appear only while the main window is open, or this behavior could be configurable.
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@linear-code[bot] commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026):

NET-1441

<!-- gh-comment-id:5083281965 --> @linear-code[bot] commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026): <!-- linear-linkback --> <p><a href="https://linear.app/netbird/issue/NET-1441">NET-1441</a></p>
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@rmtsrc commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026):

On KDE Plasma (6.7.3) using the standard Breeze (light) theme the NetBird tray icon is barely visible:

Image

Ideally in light mode it should use a black icon (like the rest of the system icons) & in dark mode it should use the white icon or have a setting to switch between them.

<!-- gh-comment-id:5085092335 --> @rmtsrc commented on GitHub (Jul 26, 2026): On KDE Plasma (6.7.3) using the standard Breeze (light) theme the NetBird tray icon is barely visible: <img width="669" height="74" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d5890191-1787-411c-8f0c-8395696a2a5d" /> Ideally in light mode it should use a black icon (like the rest of the system icons) & in dark mode it should use the white icon or have a setting to switch between them.
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@TimoKunze commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2026):

On Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome it is actually not visible:
Image
It is there, to the left of the "Restart required" icon, but completely invisible.

<!-- gh-comment-id:5101994515 --> @TimoKunze commented on GitHub (Jul 28, 2026): On Ubuntu 24.04 with Gnome it is actually not visible: <img width="916" height="48" alt="Image" src="https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/e2f25a72-d5e1-4965-a013-f21c81ef659b" /> It is there, to the left of the "Restart required" icon, but completely invisible.
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Reference: DYNR/netbird#11634