Add Notes option not working in Distraction-Free Mode

[karthick-murugan]

Description

When working in Distraction-Free Mode, the Add Notes option in the Block Toolbar does not display the New Note form or trigger any visible action.

The issue appears to be specific to Distraction-Free Mode — the same functionality works as expected when the mode is turned off. This impacts the usability of the Block Commenting feature, as users are unable to add notes without exiting this mode.

A short video recording has been attached to demonstrate the issue.

cc @Mamaduka

Step-by-step reproduction instructions

1. Open the post or page editor.
2. Enable Distraction-Free Mode from the editor options.
3. Select any block.
4. Click the Add Notes option from the Block Toolbar.
5. Observe that the New Note form does not appear, and no note can be added.

Screenshots, screen recording, code snippet

REC-20251030144832.mp4

Environment info

WordPress 6.8.3
Gutenberg version 22.0.0-rc.1

Please confirm that you have searched existing issues in the repo.

• Yes

Please confirm that you have tested with all plugins deactivated except Gutenberg.

• Yes

Please confirm which theme type you used for testing.

• Block
• Classic
• Hybrid (e.g. classic with theme.json)
• Not sure

[Mamaduka]

Good catch, @karthick-murugan!

We should probably hide note-related controls from the block toolbar in this mode. Distraction-free mode focuses on content, and all extra areas are hidden by default.

cc @t-hamano, @adamsilverstein

[t-hamano]

I think several approaches are possible, but which one would be best?

1. When clicking the Add note button, disable the Distraction-free mode and show the Notes sidebar
2. Disable the Add note button with some help text. Probably related to Note: Does not work in classic and missing. #72520 (comment)
3. Visually hide the Add note button

We also need to consider the plugin sidebar menu button as well:

b8839d31426209bb80ec5c75ef025f60.mp4

[jeffpaul]

Actually, I think Distraction-free mode SHOULD NOT include Notes as they are... distracting. Distraction-free mode to me should primarily be focused on creating/authoring content and not editing/reviewing content.

[jeffpaul]

Derp, would help if I READ all the comments and not just skim/jump to a conclusion. Looks like I'm in agreement with option 3:

Visually hide the Add note button