BUG: System input indicator should not be considered a window for event handling

[kiangti]

The system input indicator triggered by input source changes in macOS is being recognized as a window, causing yabai to send window events like window_created and window_destroyed.

I believe the input indicator shouldn't trigger window-related events (e.g., window_created, window_destroyed) through yabai, regardless of whether it is shown or hidden.

I use this in yabairc to capture this window info:

yabai -m signal --add event=window_created action='yabai -m query --windows > ~/Desktop/windows.json'

{
	"id":161,
	"pid":1113,
	"app":"xxxxxx",
	"title":"",
	"scratchpad":"",
	"frame":{
		"x":733.0000,
		"y":586.0000,
		"w":84.0000,
		"h":77.0000
	},
	"role":"AXWindow",
	"subrole":"AXDialog",
	"root-window":true,
	"display":1,
	"space":1,
	"level":3,
	"sub-level":0,
	"layer":"above",
	"sub-layer":"normal",
	"opacity":1.0000,
	"split-type":"none",
	"split-child":"none",
	"stack-index":0,
	"can-move":true,
	"can-resize":false,
	"has-focus":false,
	"has-shadow":true,
	"has-parent-zoom":false,
	"has-fullscreen-zoom":false,
	"has-ax-reference":true,
	"is-native-fullscreen":false,
	"is-visible":true,
	"is-minimized":false,
	"is-hidden":false,
	"is-floating":true,
	"is-sticky":false,
	"is-grabbed":false
}

Is this an unintended behavior in yabai, or am I misinterpreting the expected functionality?

macOS version: Sequoia 15.3.1
yabai version: yabai-v7.1.11

---

Expected Behavior:
Transient system UI elements like the input indicator should not be recognized as standard windows or trigger window-related events.

[Bellavene]

I have not seen such a problem. And later turned it off anyway, using input indication through borders instead.

[kiangti]

I have not seen such a problem. And later turned it off anyway, using input indication through borders instead.

I think this input source bubble is really useful because it helps me quickly see which input source I'm using. It’s funny though—I’ve noticed many people actually disable this system feature 😂. However, it can get annoying because every time I switch input sources, yabai triggers window_created and window_destroyed events.

[Bellavene]

Window border color switch is more elegant for tracking input method as for me : )