Expose locked state for Quickshell #414
Description
Feature Description
Provide a way for external applications to detect when Noctalia has engaged the lock screen. This could be via writing the lock state to a file, emitting a D-Bus signal, or another accessible method so that other programs (like session managers or status utilities) can track the lock status reliably.
Why Is This Needed?
Currently, Noctalia’s lock screen spawns ephemeral processes through QuickShell IPC, which exit immediately after locking. This makes it impossible for external programs to determine whether the session is currently locked. Without this feature, utilities like stasis or other session trackers cannot reliably detect the lock state, limiting integration with desktop environments and automation to
Suggested Solutions
- Write the lock state to a known file (e.g., /run/noctalia/locked) when the lock engages and remove it when unlocked
- Emit a D-Bus signal or other IPC event when the lock engages and disengages.
- Optionally, provide a command or API to query the current lock state.
Additional Context
- This is similar to how other compositors or lock utilities expose lock state (e.g., Sway, Hyprland via ext_lock_session_v1).
- The goal is to allow programs to react to lock/unlock events without requiring custom wrappers or polling ephemeral processes.