Plasma 6 Proposal: Rethink lookandfeel / desktop package
Our lookandfeel story has got a bit confusing over time.
It's simultaneously bundles of sometimes complex QML code for key Plasma parts, but also a set of configuration files to provide a set of sweeping defaults.
The only argument is that it can bundle everything together, but it fails at doing that: The more popular global themes on store.kde.org have repos where lnf is shipped along with a bunch of other folders: https://github.com/EliverLara/Sweet/tree/nova/kde https://github.com/vinceliuice/ChromeOS-kde of things that can't be in the lnf.
Some parts; tabbox, desktopswitcher, splash allows you to select which "look and feel package" to use to provide the relevant UI. But there's no KCM to choose an OSD.
Desktop package is also unclear:
Why is the activity switcher in the "desktoppackage" but "desktop switcher" in the LNF? The breeze style is intended to look similar, but only one will change. Is the plasma layout in both?
Having a frozen API for core plasma parts has been problematic. We've left questionable code for years for API reasons, and it's prevented progress; especially in the parts where it's more about the logic like the lockscreen.
It's a lot of pain points for something really not well documented, and therefore unused.
I haven't written a proposal, because an open ended discussion is probably more useful.