Public bug reported: # Ark: explain missing RAR editing helpers and the read-only backend
## Environment - Ubuntu 26.04.1 LTS, amd64 - Ark: 4:25.12.3-0ubuntu1 - Initially, `rar` and `unrar` were absent; Ark loaded `kerfuffle_cliunarchiver.so` for the RAR archive. - Working configuration: `rar` 2:7.20-1 and `unrar` 1:7.2.4-1, with a fresh Ark window loading `kerfuffle_clirar.so`. ## Scenario 1. On a system with Ark's Unarchiver backend available but without `rar` and `unrar`, open a writable RAR containing a text file. 2. Open the text file in Kate and try to edit it and update the archive. 3. The user cannot complete the update workflow and does not understand which component is missing. The user's expectation was that saving the edited document would allow Ark to update the original archive. A clear, actionable explanation of the missing RAR editing support was not apparent during this workflow. ## Investigation and workaround Installing `rar` alone was insufficient in this environment. Ark's full RAR plugin metadata lists `unrar` as a required read executable and `rar` as a required write executable. After installing both helpers and opening a fresh Ark window, that window loaded the full RAR backend. Previously opened windows retained the Unarchiver backend. The user confirmed that updating the archive then worked. ```sh sudo apt install rar unrar ``` The archive was on a writable NTFS3 mount. Creating and updating a separate temporary RAR in the same directory succeeded, so the filesystem was not the cause of this incident. The user's original archive was not modified during these diagnostic tests. ## Suggested improvement When a RAR is opened with a read-only backend, clearly show that archive updates are unavailable and explain which optional helper programs enable editing. Ubuntu-specific guidance could identify both `rar` and `unrar`, subject to their availability and licensing. If helper programs are installed while Ark is running, either re- evaluate the available backend when opening the archive again or explain that a fresh Ark window/process is required. This report does not request making proprietary helper programs mandatory dependencies, and does not allege archive corruption. ## References - Ark editing workflow: https://docs.kde.org/stable_kf6/en/ark/ark/ark-work-files.html - Full RAR plugin requirements: https://github.com/KDE/ark/blob/v25.12.3/plugins/clirarplugin/kerfuffle_clirar.json.cmake - Ubuntu reporting instructions: https://ubuntu.com/project/docs/contributors/qa-and-testing/report-a-bug/ ** Affects: ark (Ubuntu) Importance: Undecided Status: New -- You received this bug notification because you are a member of Ubuntu Bugs, which is subscribed to Ubuntu. https://bugs.launchpad.net/bugs/2171363 Title: Ark does not clearly explain missing rar/unrar helpers when RAR editing is unavailable To manage notifications about this bug go to: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/ark/+bug/2171363/+subscriptions -- ubuntu-bugs mailing list [email protected] https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-bugs
