Investigate changed files widget flickering when opening cloud sessions

[Copilot]

The "Changed files" widget in chat flickers and gets cutoff when opening previously completed cloud sessions.

Status

Initial fix attempt in ChatMultiDiffContentPart was reverted per reviewer feedback. The issue is more fundamental than just the ChatMultiDiffContentPart - it affects other text as well and requires investigation into:

• Layout calculations in chatViewPane.ts
• ChatViewTitleControl height management
• Recent changes to title bar or height assumptions
• The loadSession method and its timing around clearing and showing models

This PR is now a placeholder for the proper fix pending further investigation into the chat widget and chat input part layout/height calculations.

Original prompt

implement this.

[Chronological Review: The conversation began with the user requesting information about a specific GitHub issue related to the vscode repository. The user then asked to implement a solution based on the issue. The context of the conversation shifted towards the user's current file, indicating a focus on coding within the chatWidget.ts file.]

[Intent Mapping:

• User Request 1: "Use github mcp to fetch and understand this issue." - The user wanted to gather information about a specific GitHub issue (Changed files output flickers when opening cloud sessions #281343).
• User Request 2: "implement this." - The user requested the implementation of a solution related to the previously mentioned issue.]

[Technical Inventory:

• Repository: vscode
• Current Branch: 1.107/sessions
• Default Branch: main
• File in Focus: /Users/jospicer/dev/vscode/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/chatWidget.ts]

[Code Archaeology:

• File: chatWidget.ts
• Purpose: This file is part of the VS Code workbench and likely handles chat functionalities.
• Recent Changes: No specific code changes were documented yet, but the user is preparing to implement a solution.]

[Progress Assessment:

• Completed Tasks: The user has identified a GitHub issue to address.
• Partially Complete Work: The implementation of the solution from the GitHub issue is pending.]

[Context Validation: The conversation has captured the user's intent to understand and implement a solution for a specific GitHub issue, focusing on the chatWidget.ts file.]

[Recent Commands Analysis:

• Last Agent Commands: The user requested to use GitHub MCP to fetch information about issue Changed files output flickers when opening cloud sessions #281343 and then requested to implement a solution.
• Tool Results Summary: No specific tool results were returned as the commands were user requests rather than tool executions.
• Pre-Summary State: The agent was actively preparing to implement a solution based on the GitHub issue when the token budget was exceeded.
• Operation Context: The commands were executed to gather context and implement a solution for the identified issue, aligning with the user's goal of enhancing the chat functionality in VS Code.]

1. Conversation Overview: - Primary Objectives: - "Use github mcp to fetch and understand this issue." - The user aimed to gather information about GitHub issue #281343. - "implement this." - The user requested the implementation of a solution related to the issue. - Session Context: The conversation transitioned from understanding a GitHub issue to preparing for its implementation in the chatWidget.ts file. - User Intent Evolution: The user initially sought information and then moved directly to implementation, indicating a clear focus on resolving the issue.

2. Technical Foundation:

• Repository: vscode
• Current Branch: 1.107/sessions
• Default Branch: main
• File in Focus: /Users/jospicer/dev/vscode/src/vs/workbench/contrib/chat/browser/chatWidget.ts

3. Codebase Status:

• File Name: chatWidget.ts
• Purpose: This file is integral to the chat functionalities within the VS Code workbench.
• Current State: The user is preparing to implement a solution based on the GitHub issue.
• Key Code Segments: Not yet documented as implementation is pending.
• Dependencies: This file likely interacts with other components of the VS Code workbench.

4. Problem Resolution:

• Issues Encountered: The specific issue from GitHub (Changed files output flickers when opening cloud sessions #281343) has not been detailed yet.
• Solutions Implemented: No solutions have been implemented yet; the user is in the preparatory phase.
• Debugging Context: No ongoing troubleshooting efforts have been mentioned.
• Lessons Learned: No insights have been documented yet.

5. Progress Tracking:

• Completed Tasks: The user has identified the GitHub issue to address.
• Partially Complete Work: The implementation of the solution is pending.
• Validated Outcomes: No features or code have been confirmed working yet.

6. Active Work State:

• Current Focus: The user is focused on implementing a solution for the GitHub issue in chatWidget.ts.
• Recent Context: The user has requested to understand and implement a solution based on GitHub issue Changed files output flickers when opening cloud sessions #281343.
• Working Code: No specific code snippets have been modified or discussed recently.
• Immediate Context: The user was preparing to implement a solution when the token budget was exceeded.

7. Recent Operations:

• Last Agent Commands: The user requested to use GitHub MCP to fetch information about issue Changed files output flickers when opening cloud sessions #281343 and then requested to implement a solution.
• Tool Results Summary: No specific tool results were returned as the commands were user requests rather than tool executions.
• Pre-Summary State: The agent was actively preparing to implement a solution based on the GitHub issue.
• Operation Context: The commands were executed to gather context and implement a solution for the identified issue, aligning with the user's goal of enhancing the chat functionality in VS Code.

8. Continuation Plan:

• Pending Task 1: Implement the solution ...

Created from VS Code.

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[joshspicer]

@copilot this isn't right. This isn't 'flickering' , and happens for other text , not just the chatmultidiffcontentpart. Look more fundamental into the chat widget and chat input part, especially recent changes in that area, or with height assumptions that could be effected by the new title bar, etc...

[Copilot]

@copilot this isn't right. This isn't 'flickering' , and happens for other text , not just the chatmultidiffcontentpart. Look more fundamental into the chat widget and chat input part, especially re...

Reverted my change in 7f1ad40. You're right - the issue is more fundamental than just the ChatMultiDiffContentPart. I need to investigate the chat widget layout/height calculations more thoroughly, including the ChatViewTitleControl, layoutBody calls in chatViewPane.ts, and any timing issues with how loadSession clears and shows models.