The Shift Around Bug: Inconsistent And Incorrect Access

When access control breaks, users don’t just lose features - they get mixed messages, confusion, and mistrust. In Settings, the system should clearly say when access is blocked, not send conflicting cues like automatic logout when all they need is a ‘permission denied’ pause. The bug manifests when users without required rights hit restricted sections: sometimes they’re logged out cold, other times met with empty tables or vague errors, and sometimes met with a brisk ‘Access Denied’ - but rarely the consistent experience expected. This inconsistency isn’t just annoying; it erodes trust in the interface. nn- Access denied → logout instead of clear denial

• Empty sections hide, but not always
• Error states vary wildly, from 403 to 404 to silence

Psychologically, users expect predictability - especially in work tools where clarity builds confidence. A sudden logout feels like a cold rejection, not a controlled access check. The spec says: ‘The left navigation should hide sections the user can’t access.’ But too often, the system doesn’t hide - either by design or bug. This disconnect fuels frustration. nnHidden truths behind the chaos:

• The system doesn’t uniformly block access via UI or auth middleware
• No consistent error messaging; ‘Access Denied’ appears only sporadically
• Logout is triggered even when permissions are missing, bypassing graceful feedback

Safety and etiquette matter: users should never be silently dropped from a feature without a clear note. Do:

• Show consistent access denial UI
• Keep sessions stable unless explicitly logged out
• Avoid silent errors that confuse or frustrate

This isn’t just a bug - it’s a design gap. The bottom line: when access control fails, users need clarity, not chaos. Will your interface respond with a polite refusal - or a confusing logout?