Tabs unloading with the feature disabled

[vicky5124]

Captchas

• I have read the instructions.
• I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• I am not filing an enhancement request.

What happened?

When Zen is out of focus (not necessary, but it increases the chances), tabs in deactivated workspaces unload even when the feature is completely disabled.
Below there's a picture of all the relevant configuration entries that should disable unloading entirely, but they only prevent unloading on the active workspace, and keeps unloading tabs in the different workspaces, including pinned tabs that have an increased base weight.
Unloading often happens in the same order displayed in about:unloads, but only following the secondary weight (for the most part; it appears to be quite random, but it does mostly follow this metric), which is what allows the pinned tabs to get unloaded, as it is ignoring the base weight that would prevent them from being unloaded.
Furthermore, not all tabs in different workspaces get unloaded at once, as most often only a random choice of tabs (regardless of when they were last accessed) get unloaded, including pinned tabs (so, if there are 3 pinned tabs and 20 normal tabs in a workspace, having 1 pinned tab and 12 normal tabs getting unloaded is possible)

Reproducible?

• I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.

Version

From at least 1.0.1-a.19 to 1.0.2-b.5, including the latest twilight

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

Linux

Relevant log output

No response

[dosubot]

I found a related discussion that might be helpful:

• Zen is unloading tabs too quickly #3076

To continue talking to Dosu, mention @dosu.

[vicky5124]

It appears that the issue is related to having multiple profiles with different unloader settings, and the setting not being correctly fetched or stored (it can be reproduced when you select "restart later" when changing the setting)

[dosubot]

Hi, @vicky5124. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• Tabs are unloading in deactivated workspaces in Zen, even when the feature is disabled.
• The issue is specific to Linux platforms and does not occur on Mozilla Firefox.
• You suggested the problem might be linked to multiple profiles with different unloader settings.
• The issue persists when selecting "restart later" after changing settings.
• A related discussion was shared but received negative feedback from you and @Anoms12.

Next Steps:

• Please let us know if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting here.
• If there is no further activity, the issue will be automatically closed in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[vicky5124]

The issue is due to conflicting unloader implementations. Tabs in different workspaces are hidden, and hidden tabs get unloaded from memory into disk after a while, which is default Firefox behaviour, behaviour which can be tweaked with extensions such as Tab Stash or Auto Tab Discard (these extensions can be used to solve the issue; install tab stash, configure the extension so it does not unload stashed tabs, and then remove the extension). This default Firefox behaviour overrides the behaviour implemented by the zen browser.
It is an issue that is still present in the latest twilight and will keep on getting worse with future Firefox updates, as they are implementing their own unloaded with behaviour that zen does not manage and will keep overriding the zen unloader.

[j14i]

Hi, does this happen in b.5 / t.6 ?

[vicky5124]

It is an issue that is still present in the latest twilight

I have updated the original message with the versions it happens on

[j14i]

Alright thanks

[mauro-balades]

These features are indeed profile-independent. Are you suggesting they shoudn't be or that they dont even work on the same profile? Sorry my english isn't that good