Zoom out mode conflicts Write/Design mode

[t-hamano]

Description

When the zoom out mode is enabled, what I should expect is the following:

• Only the root level blocks are selectable.
• Above and below the selected block, inserter buttons will appear to insert patterns.

However, switching modes from the Tools menu while the zoom out mode is active will result in unintended behavior.

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

• The default mode is "Design".
• Click the Zoom Out button.
• The canvas zooms out. Only root-level blocks are selectable, and inserter buttons appear above and below selected blocks.
• ❌ Change the mode to "Write". Non-root-level blocks can be selected unintentionally.
• ❌ Change the mode back to "Design". No inserter buttons appear above or below selected root-level blocks.

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

e7846d9fae901fd2b09d1ced6f760045.mp4

Environment info

No response

Please confirm that you have searched existing issues in the repo.

• Yes

Please confirm that you have tested with all plugins deactivated except Gutenberg.

• Yes

[draganescu]

I think we should somehow not allow - yet - switching modes. 😄 as in if modes are engaged the view is exited.

[t-hamano]

I noticed that when I switch to Zoom Out mode in Write mode, it automatically switches to Design mode. Perhaps zoom out mode can be considered a variation or extension of Design mode?

Maybe it would be ok to disable the Write mode button when Zoom Out mode is active:

[draganescu]

Or exit zoom out when mode is changed?

[t-hamano]

Or exit zoom out when mode is changed?

This might be the best. This approach is similar to #65652 and #65444.

[annezazu]

Noting the proposal to better combine these different options: #65736

[afercia]

I noticed that when I switch to Zoom Out mode in Write mode, it automatically switches to Design mode.

The naming and workings of these modes are a little confusing. Select and edit mode have been renamed in the UI but the code implementation still refers to their original names:

• Design mode: code name is edit mode.
• Write mode: code name is navigation mode.

On top of that, the ToolSelector uses a condition that only takes into consideragion navigation and edit modes. So that, when it's not navigation, the UI will indicate it's edit mode, even though the avtual value is zoom-out mode. That condition should be updated.

However, what the Tool Selector should indicate as selected mode when Zoom Out is enabled?

To me, Zoom Out is conceptually and technically an actual 'mode' and should be treated as such. In #65856 I'm proposing to expand the concept of 'modes' in the editor and make them more prominent. Also, by moving Zoom Out mode to the ToolSelector, the UI would present them as a single choice UI thus avoiding any confusion.

[getdave]

I don't see a way forward here until we're aligned on whether or not we want to expose "Zoom Out" as a "mode".

We have two viewpoints:

1. Zoom Out is a mode and should be exposed in the tool selector.
2. Zoom Out is an affordance and may be merged into other modes in the future so should not be exposed in that specific UI location.

I would put this under "Needs Decision".

[t-hamano]

Zoom Out is an affordance and may be merged into other modes in the future so should not be exposed.

Does this mean that zoom out mode will be removed from WordPress 6.7?

[getdave]

No. Zoom Out as a feature will remain in 6.7.

More discussion #65856. We should probably continue there to avoid splintering the discussion.

[draganescu]

The way forward is to implement this comment

Or exit zoom out when mode is changed?

This might be the best. This approach is similar to #65652 and #65444.

This fixes the bug. The conceptual refining can come later without this getting int he way.

[ndiego]

Since the Write/Design modes are not included in WordPress 6.7, I am going to remove this issue from the 6.7 project board. If anyone objects, feel free to comment here and add back.

[draganescu]

@ndiego I think this should be for 6.7? It fixes a bug where one is in a mixed zoom out navigation mode state.

[ndiego]

Thanks for the clarification @draganescu, I added it back.