#2151·simplewall

[Bug] Network alert popup steals focus and interrupts CJK IME composition

Author: NarodnyyCreated Sep 13, 2026Updated Sep 13, 2026
Labelsbug

Checklist

  • I have used the search function to see if someone else has already submitted the same bug report.
  • I will describe the problem with as much detail as possible.

App version

3.9.1 Pre-release

Windows version

Windows 11 22H2 ( 22621.1413 )

Steps to reproduce

  1. Enable packet notifications in simplewall:
    NotificationsEnable packets notifications (also Enable notifications sounds, Enable silent-mode with full screen app in foreground, Slow notification window on tray are enabled).
  2. Open any text editor (e.g., Notepad, Word, browser input field) and start typing with a CJK IME (Input Method Editor), such as RIME or Microsoft Pinyin.
  3. While typing letters (e.g., pinyin) and the IME candidate window is visible, trigger a network request from a program that simplewall has no rule for (e.g., launch a new app, or wait for a background process to access the network).
  4. The simplewall "Network alert" popup appears at the bottom-right corner.
    Title: Network alert - simplewall
    Subtitle: Network connection was blocked

Expected behavior

The network alert popup should appear without stealing focus from the active application.
The IME candidate window should remain open, and the user's typing should not be interrupted.

Actual behavior

When the simplewall "Network alert" popup appears, it immediately becomes topmost (even though the popup window itself is not activated, as its title bar is greyed out).
This action force-closes the IME candidate window.
As a result, any uncompleted pinyin composition is committed directly to the text field, and the user must click back into the input field to continue typing.

This issue reproduces with both RIME and Microsoft Pinyin IMEs.
I have confirmed that this is not a general focus-stealing issue like #2042 or #637; those issues do not mention CJK IME composition being interrupted.

Additional context

The following notification settings are enabled in simplewall:

  • Enable packets notifications
  • Enable notifications sounds
  • Enable silent-mode with full screen app in foreground
  • Slow notification window on tray

When the "Network alert" popup appears, a icon (yellow exclamation mark: ⚠️) also appears in the Windows taskbar. This icon behavior is normal and expected.

Suggested solution

Instead of making the popup topmost and potentially stealing focus, I suggest:

  • Do not make the popup topmost, or at least do not activate it / do not steal focus from the foreground window.
  • Instead, flash the icon in the taskbar (the yellow exclamation mark icon) to alert the user.
  • This would avoid interrupting CJK IME input while still notifying the user about a blocked network connection.

Related issues

  • #2042 (Open) — similar focus-stealing behavior, but does not mention CJK IME interruption.
  • #637 (Closed) — similar notification issue, but not the same CJK IME problem.

Logs

N/A