safeeyes.json config file is often lost / resets

[adventuretc]

safeeyes copy.json

Describe the bug
My safeeyes.json config file often resets. I am not sure why but I suspect it's due to my computer shutting down while the file is open for writing and its format gets corrupted. Safeeyes on my computer saves the config file very frequently. Mine is 99 kB so quite large. I have a lot of short_breaks and the problem seems to surface more frequently with a large config.
I removed most short_breaks from the uploaded file for privacy reasons but left a few to show how it looks.

To Reproduce
Steps to reproduce the behavior:

1. Normal usage.
2. Shut down Ubuntu. (I guess SIGTERM should be enough?)

Expected behavior
I would like the program to only save the config file when really necessary (only when changed). Even then, making a .bak copy (a rename operation) wouldn't hurt in my opinion.

Desktop (please complete the following information):

• OS: Ubuntu 24.04
• Desktop Env: LXDE
• Version 2.2.2

Configuration
Attach the configuration file, usually found in ~/.config/safeeyes/safeeyes.json.

[archisman-panigrahi]

Please update safeeyes using the PPA. Delete the config file. Reopen the issue if the problem persists. Version 2.2.2 is very old.

…

On Wed, 21 Jan, 2026, 5:13 pm Göller Bertalan, ***@***.***> wrote: *adventuretc* created an issue (slgobinath/safeeyes#840) <#840> *Describe the bug* My safeeyes.json config file often resets. I am not sure why but I suspect it's due to my computer shutting down while the file is open for writing and its format gets corrupted. Safeeyes on my computer saves the config file *very* frequently. Mine is 3.5 kB so quite large. I have lots of short_breaks and the problem seems to surface more frequently with a large config. *To Reproduce* Steps to reproduce the behavior: 1. Normal usage. 2. Shut down Ubuntu. (I guess SIGTERM should be enough?) *Expected behavior* I would like the program to only save the config file when really necessary (only when changed). Even then, making a .bak copy (a rename operation) wouldn't hurt in my opinion. *Desktop (please complete the following information):* - OS: Ubuntu 24.04 - Desktop Env: LXDE - Version 2.2.2 *Configuration* Attach the configuration file, usually found in ~/.config/safeeyes/safeeyes.json. — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <#840>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AAXL2XBCXOF7BVZFEALJGZL4H5Q4ZAVCNFSM6AAAAACSMSHZ6OVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43ASLTON2WKOZTHAZTOOBVHA3TOMI> . You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[archisman-panigrahi]

The config file you attached is just 3.8 kb (not 99 kb). It seems to be normal

[deltragon]

Note that #837 should at least decrease how often the file is actually touched on disk, and log when it is, so it should be more debuggable.

[adventuretc]

Please update safeeyes using the PPA. Delete the config file. Reopen the
issue if the problem persists.

Version 2.2.2 is very old.
…

I know it counts old. But were there any changes since that make it reasonable to say that this may have been resolved? Is the code that much different?

The config file you attached is just 3.8 kb (not 99 kb). It seems to be normal

Because I removed most of my short break messages (short_breaks).

[archisman-panigrahi]

I know it counts old. But were there any changes since that make it reasonable to say that this may have been resolved? Is the code that much different?

It has been largely rewritten and the code is quite different. Please check with the new version