I have a small UI/UX suggestion for the Zorin OS taskbar.
Currently, when the taskbar is configured with rounded corners and a window is maximized, the bottom corners of the screen remain empty. This creates a small visual gap between the taskbar and the edges of the screen.
I think it would look much cleaner if the taskbar could dynamically adapt when a window is maximized.
Suggested behavior
Normal state: Keep the current rounded taskbar design with spacing from the screen edges.
Window maximized: The taskbar would automatically "snap" to the bottom-left and bottom-right corners of the screen, extending all the way to the edges.
Window minimized, restored, or closed: The taskbar would smoothly return to its normal rounded shape with the current spacing.
Ideally, this could have a subtle animation so the transition feels intentional rather than instantaneous.
The idea is basically a "snap in / snap out" taskbar depending on whether an application is maximized.
Why I think this would be useful
It would make the desktop feel more cohesive when an application is maximized, while preserving Zorin's current rounded and modern appearance when the desktop is visible.
It could also make the taskbar feel more integrated with maximized applications instead of looking like a floating element with two unused corners underneath it.
This could potentially be implemented as an optional setting for users who prefer the current behavior.
I think it would be a relatively small visual change that could make the desktop feel noticeably more polished.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I like that Zorin team try to keep Zorin taskbar as clean and useful as possible, especially for new users.
I’m not bothered by this "gap", i like that feeling between a dock and taskbar, but it could be even interesting i guess for small screens.
You can manage extensions with this desktop called Gnome used by Zorin, meaning that you perhaps could find your way with an extension called "dash to panel". It has more options, but you will have to disable Zorin taskbar.
From the software center there is a app (Extension) who allow us to enable or disable extensions, but we must be cautious about how we use it.
regards
This sounds like a thoughtful polish for the rounded taskbar design. I can see how leaving the bottom corners open only while a window is maximized would make the taskbar feel less like a floating element. Making it optional would be a good way to preserve the current look for users who prefer it. Would a simple toggle under the taskbar or desktop settings be the most discoverable place for this?
I personally, as this function doesn´t exist, also like the look of rounded corners of maximized windows in combination with the rounded corners of the taskbar:
You can get this look by installing the gnome extension "Rounded window corners gnome 50" (it is also for gnome 46) and enabling "keep rounded when maximised" at tab corners > behavior. You can set the radius as you like so that it fits to the Zorin taskbar, and set the smoothing to 0. It offers the option to add a colored border around the windows in a width and color you like, too.
I haven´t tested the extension for longer time yet (found it yesterday) to see if the extension makes problems.
