UI Inconsistency: "Notifications" button disappears after log in. #193556
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🏷️ Discussion TypeBug 💬 Feature/Topic AreaOther BodyI noticed a UI inconsistency that causes confusion. When browsing a repository as a guest, there is a "Notifications" button with a bell icon. Clicking it prompts for login. However, once logged in, the button disappears and I can't find that button or the bell icon anywhere on the site: 
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Replies: 3 comments
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Yo @AmigaCoding — I feel for you on this one. UI states flipping out when you log in is a special kind of confusing 😂 But real talk, you're asking the wrong question. You're hunting for a button that doesn't exist; you aren't crazy, the platform is just messing with your permissions. Here's the reality: What you're actually looking for: The config that actually works: Go to the top right of the repo page (where it says "Watch" or "Unwatch"). The fix: Stop looking for the button and check your Watch settings. If you aren't watching the repo, that button is effectively dead to you. If you want to talk this through live — I run a weekly UI/UX bug squash where devs track down these inconsistencies and share fixes. No ghosting allowed 😂 Or just reply here — happy to keep helping 🔧 |
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Thank you, @P-r-e-m-i-u-m, for you answer. I figured "Watch" kind of replaces the "Notification" button once I'm log in, but if I go to https://github.com/notifications I don't see anything there, so that adds to the confusion 😅 I guess, I'll accept the "Watch" as the option I was looking for without asking more questions 😄 Thanks and all the best! |
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Yo @AmigaCoding — I feel for you on this one. UI states flipping out when you log in is a special kind of confusing 😂
But real talk, you're asking the wrong question. You're hunting for a button that doesn't exist; you aren't crazy, the platform is just messing with your permissions.
Here's the reality:
Guests see that "Notifications" button because it's part of the global navigation template—it’s a generic hook to get you to sign up ("Hey, click this to see updates!"). But once you're logged in, GitHub checks your access level. If you don't have explicit permissions to that repo (you aren't a collaborator or watching it), the button ghosts you. It's not a bug; it's a "feature" of how the…