[Bug]: Theme gallery falsely reports desktop sync

[Shreya-nipunge]

Description

The landing page theme gallery says users can “instantly apply” a theme to the running desktop client and shows “Direct Sync Active.” However, clicking a theme only updates the local preview state and displays an “Activated” toast. There is no desktop-client API, IPC bridge, localhost call, or sync check behind the action.

Steps to Reproduce

1. Open the landing site theme gallery.
2. Click any theme card.
3. Observe the “Activated [theme]” toast and “Direct Sync Active” copy.
4. Check the running desktop app or inspect the code path in ThemeShowcase.tsx.

Expected Behaviour

The UI should either actually sync the selected theme to the desktop client, or clearly label the action as a local preview only.

Actual Behaviour

handleApply() only updates local preview state using setActivePreviewThemeId(theme.id) and sets the toast message. The desktop app is not contacted, but the UI implies real-time desktop sync is active.

Screenshots / Logs

Not attached.

Environment

• OS: Windows
• Browser / Node version: Node v22.17.0, Next.js 16.2.6
• Repo version / commit: v2.2.0 / dbaae83

[github-actions]

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[Shreya-nipunge]

Hi @SamXop123 ,

I would like to work on this issue under GSSoC 2026.

Could you please assign this issue to me?

Thank you!

[SamXop123]

good catch. we cant apply the theme directly to the desktop client btw, so we have to label it as preview only.