diff --git a/proposals/3987-push-actions-clean-up.md b/proposals/3987-push-actions-clean-up.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000000..5857e21d747 --- /dev/null +++ b/proposals/3987-push-actions-clean-up.md @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ +# MSC3987: Push actions clean-up + +There are [two defined push rule actions](https://spec.matrix.org/v1.6/client-server-api/#actions) +which are of dubious use: + +* `coalesce` is defined, but unused in the spec and not implemented on any homeservers [^1] + or clients [^2] beyond validating it or treating it identically to `notify`. +* `dont_notify` is a no-op, but frequently used as a way to denote do nothing. + It is clearer to provide an empty list of actions to avoid a situation where + additional actions are given with it, e.g. `["notify", "dont_notify"]` is + currently valid, but does not make sense. [^3] + +## Proposal + +The `coalesce` push rule action is removed from the Matrix specification. + +The `dont_notify` push rule action is deprecated. Homeservers and clients should +ignore it. Any [pre-defined rules](https://spec.matrix.org/v1.6/client-server-api/#actions) +which include the `dont_notify` action are redefined to have an empty list of actions: + +* `.m.rule.master` +* `.m.rule.suppress_notices` +* `.m.rule.member_event` + +It is recommended that homeservers continue accepting the `coalesce` and `dont_notify` +actions, but ignore them during processing. (Treating them as no-ops.) A future +Matrix spec version should remove them completely. + +## Potential issues + +A client might attempt to create a push rule with a `coalesce` or `dont_notify` +action that homeservers will reject as an unknown action. + +## Alternatives + +Do nothing and continue propagating confusion. + +## Security considerations + +None. + +## Dependencies + +None. + +[^1]: [Dendrite](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Amatrix-org%2Fdendrite+CoalesceAction+NOT+path%3A%2F_test.go%24%2F&type=code), +[Synapse](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Amatrix-org%2Fsynapse+coalesce+language%3ARust&type=code&l=Rust), +[Conduit](https://gitlab.com/search?search=coalesce&nav_source=navbar&project_id=22083768&group_id=4616224&search_code=true&repository_ref=next), +[Construct](https://github.com/matrix-construct/construct/blob/4ecf1ef037ecc1a5d1e3a1049d9a63cb0a6f3455/matrix/push.cc#L739-L740).. + +[^2]: [matrix-js-sdk](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Amatrix-org/matrix-js-sdk%20Coalesce&type=code), +[matrix-ios-sdk](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Amatrix-org%2Fmatrix-ios-sdk%20coalesce&type=code), +[matrix-rust-sdk](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-rust-sdk/commit/59edc22a35c4ef162ea0a8cafccdf25e37ab1070), +[matrix-android-sdk2](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Amatrix-org/matrix-android-sdk2%20ACTION_COALESCE&type=code), +[Ruma](https://github.com/search?q=repo%3Aruma/ruma%20Coalesce&type=code). + +[^3]: It has been noted on recent MSCs that new rules should not use `dont_notify`, +see [MSC3786](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/3786#discussion_r864607531), +[MSC2153](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/2153#discussion_r450188777) / +[MSC2677](https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-spec-proposals/pull/2677#discussion_r879701007).