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ADR 010: Multiple Windows Support for Single Account

Status​

❌ Rejected

Context​

Issue #1984 requested the ability to open multiple windows for a single account, similar to the native Windows Teams client's pop-out functionality for chats and meetings.

Investigation Date: November 2025 Requested Features:

  • Pop-out windows for individual chats
  • Separate windows for meetings
  • Simultaneous access to meetings and chat conversations

The user believed the Teams PWA previously supported this feature and it was disabled, but investigation revealed this is incorrect.

Decision​

Reject multiple windows support. The application will continue to use a single-window model.

Rationale​

  1. Teams PWA Limitation: Microsoft Teams PWA does not natively support multiple windows or pop-out chats. This is a fundamental limitation of the web application itself, not the Electron wrapper.

  2. Architectural Complexity: Current architecture assumes single-window operation:

    • Single instance lock prevents multiple app instances
    • 72 IPC channels designed for single-window communication
    • 17 browser tools assume single window context (tray updates, activity tracking, authentication)
    • State management scattered with module-level variables

  3. Extensive Refactoring Required:

    • All IPC handlers would need window identification and state aggregation
    • Browser tools would need coordination across windows
    • Complex questions with no clear answers:
      • Which window's unread count shows in tray?
      • How to handle call state across windows?
      • Which window receives notifications?
      • How to manage screen sharing state?

  4. Uncertain Benefit: Even if implemented, Teams web UI may not function correctly with multiple windows due to:

    • Potential authentication/session conflicts
    • Shared workers or service workers expecting single window
    • Unexpected behavior from web app not designed for this use case

  5. High Maintenance Burden: Would significantly increase codebase complexity with ongoing maintenance challenges as Teams web evolves.

Consequences​

Positive​

  • ✅ Maintains simple, proven single-window architecture
  • ✅ Reduces complexity and testing burden
  • ✅ Avoids potential authentication and session issues
  • ✅ No ongoing maintenance for multi-window coordination

Negative​

  • ⚠️ Users cannot pop out chats or meetings into separate windows
  • ⚠️ Feature disparity with native Windows client
  • ⚠️ Users must choose between meeting view and chat view

Neutral​

  • Continue monitoring Microsoft Teams PWA development
  • If Microsoft adds native multi-window support to PWA, re-evaluate with minimal changes
  • Document limitation clearly for users

Alternatives Considered​

Option 1: Allow Multiple Independent Instances​

Run multiple completely independent instances with separate userData directories.

Pros:

  • Simple implementation (remove single instance lock)
  • Each window fully isolated
  • No state synchronization needed

Cons:

  • Each instance has separate tray icon
  • No coordination between windows
  • Higher memory usage
  • Separate login sessions
  • Does not achieve desired "pop-out" behavior

Why rejected: Does not provide the integrated experience users expect. However, this could be offered as an advanced user option via CLI flag.

Option 2: Primary + Secondary Window Pattern​

Maintain one primary window and allow secondary windows with limited functionality.

Pros:

  • Clear ownership of global state
  • Reduced complexity vs full multi-window
  • Aligns with native client behavior

Cons:

  • Still requires extensive IPC refactoring
  • Browser tools need window-type awareness
  • Unknown if Teams web UI supports this model
  • Complex window lifecycle management

Why rejected: High implementation cost for uncertain benefit given Teams PWA limitations.

Option 3: Single Window with BrowserViews​

Use Electron BrowserViews to create "virtual" windows within single window.

Pros:

  • No IPC refactoring needed
  • Single window context preserved
  • Lower memory usage

Cons:

  • Not true separate windows (can't move to different monitors easily)
  • Requires custom window management UI
  • Does not match user expectations

Why rejected: Does not provide true separate window experience users want.

Future Considerations​

Multiple Instances (Already Supported)​

Users can already run multiple independent instances by specifying different user data directories:

# Instance 1 (default)
teams-for-linux

# Instance 2 (separate profile)
teams-for-linux --user-data-dir=/path/to/profile2

Each instance operates independently with:

  • Separate tray icons
  • Separate login sessions
  • Separate configuration
  • Higher memory usage
  • No coordination between instances

Note: This is a workaround, not the integrated multi-window experience users expect from the native client, but it provides the ability to view different accounts or contexts simultaneously.

Monitor Teams PWA Evolution​

If Microsoft adds native multi-window support to Teams PWA:

  1. Evaluate minimal changes needed in Teams for Linux
  2. Implement support for native feature
  3. Update documentation

Estimated timeline for Microsoft PWA multi-window: Unknown, likely 12+ months if at all

  • Issue #1984 - Allow multiple windows for one account
  • app/index.js:61 - Single instance lock implementation
  • app/mainAppWindow/index.js:530-553 - Window open handler
  • app/security/ipcValidator.js - IPC channel validation (72 channels)

References​