error message for desktop file problems does not include how to fix them
Metadata
Current evaluation
Snapcraft raises the same generic exception for all desktop file errors (missing file, missing 'Desktop Entry', missing 'Exec' key) without explaining how to fix each. Suggests splitting the exception or adding a fix-hint field. Open since 2018, no comments, no maintainer response, unlabelled beyond bitesize/ui.
Suggested action: needs triage
Reason: No maintainer has ever responded, labelled, or assigned this issue (0 comments, last activity 3170 days ago), so it has not been triaged. It is a real, well-scoped UX improvement (bitesize) to desktop-file error messages, not a support request, but there is no evidence it was ever assessed or that the underlying code path still behaves as described, so a human should confirm before closing or prioritizing.
Issue body
Evaluation history
| Date | Model | Scores | Action | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| qwen/qwen3.8-27b |
Impact:
30
Quick Win:
22.5
Staleness:
92
Complexity:
25
Confidence:
55
Support Request:
5
|
needs triage | Snapcraft raises the same generic exception for all desktop file errors (missing file, missing 'Desktop Entry', missing 'Exec' key) without explaining how to fix each. Suggests splitting the exception or adding a fix-hint field. Open since 2018, no comments, no maintainer response, unlabelled beyond bitesize/ui. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
95
Complexity:
15
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
10
|
close stale | Desktop file validation errors during snap builds lack actionable fix instructions. Suggests splitting exceptions or adding fix details. Unchanged for over 8 years with no maintainer response. | |
| qwen/qwen3.6-35b-a3b |
Staleness:
95
Complexity:
15
Confidence:
85
Support Request:
5
|
close stale | Request to improve error messages for desktop file validation in snap builds. Issue has been inactive for over 8 years with no maintainer response or updates. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
95
Complexity:
15
Confidence:
80
Support Request:
10
|
needs triage | Desktop file validation errors during snap builds lack actionable fix instructions. Suggests splitting exceptions or adding fix details. Currently untriaged and inactive for over eight years. | |
| qwen3.6-35b-a3b-mtp-q6 |
Staleness:
98
Complexity:
20
Confidence:
95
Support Request:
0
|
close stale | Desktop file validation errors lack fix instructions. All failures raise the same exception without guidance. Requires splitting exceptions or adding a fix field. Open, unassigned, no comments. |
Update history
No update history recorded yet.
Related issues
| Issue | Project | State | Summary | Similarity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1670162 publish complains about desktop file un-necessarily | snapcraft (launchpad) | open | Snapcraft publish validation falsely requires a .desktop file when a snap uses the x11 plug, blocking a CLI utility from releasing to stable. Reported ~9.5 years ago with no maintainer response; the quoted error is from the old snapcraft 1.x publish flow. |