Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 - Preview

This documentation describes the features and configuration of Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 2502. This version is the preview for the latest version of Citrix Workspace app for HTML5.

EAR build is for the purpose of testing or validation with the intent to make organizations ready for the upcoming release and is NOT advised to be deployed in production environments.

Install the EAR build from Citrix Downloads.

What’s new

The following are the features:

• Enhancements to the improved in-session toolbar
• Connection strength indicator
• Service continuity [Technical Preview]
• Support for horizontal scrolling on trackpad
• Session launch diagnostics
• Enhanced seamless app launch and resizing experience
• Support for Unified Communications (UC) SDK

Enhancements to the improved in-session toolbar

Starting with the 2502 version, this feature is enabled by default. To disable the feature, follow the configuration steps mentioned in this article.

Note:

The new toolbar isn’t supported if the Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 session is launched in a mobile browser.

Configuration

You can disable the new toolbar UI by using:

• Configuration.js
• Global App Configuration service

Configuration.js

In Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, the configuration.js file is located under the C:\Program Files\Citrix\Receiver StoreFront\HTML5Client folder. Edit this file to configure the feature.

Notes:

• Citrix recommends that you back up the configuration.js file before modifying it.
• Administrator-level credentials are required to edit the configuration.js file.

To disable the new toolbar feature:

1. Navigate to the configuration.js file in the HTML5Client folder.
2. Add the switchToNewToolbar attribute and set the attribute to false. For example:

   {
       'ui': {
           'toolbar': {
               'switchToNewToolbar': false,
           }
       }
   }
<!--NeedCopy-->

Global App Configuration service

On the cloud setup, administrators can disable the new toolbar feature by navigating to Workspace Configuration > App Configuration > Session Experience > Toolbar > New Session Toolbar. Clear the checkbox and respective toggle button to disable the feature.

Toolbar customization

Admins can customize the toolbar, choosing what options must be viewed by the end user. You can customize it using the Global App Configuration service.

To enable a particular feature, administrators can:

1. Navigate to Workspace Configuration > App Configuration > Session Experience > Toolbar.
2. Select the checkbox HTML5.
3. Scroll and click the down arrow.
4. Select the platform checkbox and click the toggle button to enable or disable the option in the toolbar
5. Save and publish the changes.

The following table displays the toolbar options that the admin can configure:

Connection strength indicator

Starting with the version 2502, Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 supports the Connection Strength Indicator (CSI) on the in-session toolbar. This feature displays a network strength icon that alerts you of network issues. You can click the indicator to view real-time connection statistics for the client and VDA, and copy (or download) diagnostic information to share with IT for advanced troubleshooting.

Notes:

• This feature is enabled by default.
• When you open the session, you can see the Connection Details icon on the in-session toolbar, provided the new toolbar feature is enabled.

Benefits

• Immediate feedback: The network strength icon gently nudges users when network issues are detected.
• Enhanced troubleshooting: Real-time stats and diagnostics help users and IT teams quickly identify and resolve connectivity issues.

Prerequisites

This feature is available only when a session is opened using:

• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2407 or later
• Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2402 LTSR CU1 or later

Known issue in the feature

With Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops version 2411, the Connection Strength Indicator (CSI) on the in-session toolbar doesn’t display the protocol information such as RTT and Bandwidth (in EDT protocol) [XASUP-6810].

Configuration

You can disable the feature by using:

• Configuration.js
• Global App Configuration service

Configuration.js

In Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, the configuration.js file is located under the C:\Program Files\Citrix\Receiver StoreFront\HTML5Client folder. Edit this file to configure the feature.

Notes:

• Citrix recommends that you back up the configuration.js file before modifying it.
• Administrator-level credentials are required to edit the configuration.js file.

To disable the new toolbar feature:

1. Navigate to the configuration.js file in the HTML5Client folder.
2. Add the connectionStrengthIndicator attribute and set the attribute to false. For example:

   {
       'ui': {
           'toolbar': {
               'connectionStrengthIndicator': false,
           }
       }
   }
<!--NeedCopy-->

Global App Configuration service

Administrators can disable the feature by navigating to Workspace Configuration > App Configuration > Session Experience > Toolbar > Connection Strength Indicator.

Clear the checkbox and respective toggle button to disable the feature.

Support for Unified Communications (UC) SDK

The Citrix Unified Communications SDK allows Unified Communications vendors, Cloud contact center providers, Communications Platform as a Service (CPaaS) providers, or any WebRTC-based communications vendors to integrate seamlessly with electron-based desktop or browser-based applications.

For more information, see Unified Communications (UC) SDK, which is a tech zone article.

Redirection of WebHID APIs

Unified Communications SDK for Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 implements the redirection of WebHID APIs as defined in Citrix-WebRTC, with certain known limitations. They are:

• If multiple HID devices of the same type exist, the user can’t select a specific device for testing.
• On Mac machines, when you use Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, the app might fail to retrieve the custom ‘compositeId’ before a newly connected media device is ready.
• On both Windows and Mac systems, when using Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, users might need to re-grant access permissions for reconnected devices. This process includes devices using a wireless keyboard or mouse USB receiver. The need to re-grant permissions is due to the absence of a connection event.

Note:

This feature is disabled by default.

Configuration

You can enable the feature by using:

• Configuration.js
• Global App Configuration service

Configuration.js

In Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, the configuration.js file is located under the C:\Program Files\Citrix\Receiver StoreFront\HTML5Client folder. Edit this file to enableee the feature.

Notes:

• Citrix recommends that you back up the configuration.js file before modifying it.
• Administrator-level credentials are required to edit the configuration.js file.

To enable the feature:

1. Navigate to the configuration.js file in the HTML5Client folder.

2. Make sure you set the attribute webHID to true. The following is an example of JSON data:

   'features' : {
       'msTeamsOptimization' : { 
           'webHID' : true 
           } 
           }
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

3. Set the attribute hidDeviceBlockList with the correct format. If you want to block some HID devices, the following is an example of JSON data:

   'features' : {
   'msTeamsOptimization' : {       
       // The format of the blocklist is ["VID:PID", "VID:PID", "VID:PID", ...]
       // Each VID and PID is an up to 4-digit hexadecimal number with an optional "0x" prefix.
       // The VID is a required field. The PID is optional, so the colon and PID can be omitted.
       // example ["35ab:21ff", "45ac", "0x567:123a", "0x1234:0x5678"]
       'hidDeviceBlockList' : [] 
       }
   }
   <!--NeedCopy-->
   

4. Save the changes.

Global App Configuration service

Administrators can enable the feature by navigating to Workspace Configuration > App Configuration > HDX and Multimedia > MS Teams > Enable webHID redirection and HID Device Blocklist. Select the checkbox and respective toggle button to enable the feature.

Service continuity [Technical Preview]

Service continuity removes or reduces the dependency on the availability of components involved in the connection process. You can launch the Citrix Virtual Apps and Desktops and Citrix DaaS regardless of the health status of the cloud services. In other words, service continuity allows you to connect to the DaaS apps and desktops during outages. As a prerequisite, your device must maintain a network connection to a resource location.

For more information, see the Service continuity section in the Citrix Workspace documentation.

Note:

This feature is disabled by default. To get it enabled in your environment, fill the Google form: https://forms.gle/CVBicWZ2thaRNz9S8.

Prerequisite

In case a store page or Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 page is inaccessible over the network, the Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 binaries must cache for service continuity to work, and they require at least one successful regular launch for caching.

Known limitations in the feature

• In Citrix Workspace app for HTML5, the service continuity feature isn’t supported on the Apple Safari and Mozilla Firefox browsers. It supports only Chromium browsers (Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge ).
• Service continuity doesn’t support showing an offline banner on the login page.
• Lease files download five minutes after the store page is authenticated. If the store page refreshes, it takes another five minutes to download the lease files.
• If the store URL can’t be accessed, the offline mode that displays cached resources might be delayed, which also delays the session launch.

Know issue in the feature

• When the VDA is powered off, the lease launch can’t start and gets stuck on the progress message “Connection leases are being resolved.” The workaround is to wait a while and then attempt to relaunch the session. [RFHTMCRM-15129]

Collect Workspace UI - store page logs

To collect and download the logs for the store page:

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + L on the store page to enable logging.
2. Reproduce the issue.
3. Press Ctrl + Shift + / to download the logs.
4. Press Ctrl + Shift + L again to stop logging.

Note:

When the page reloads, the logs might reset.

For more information on Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 logging, see How to collect logs.

Enhanced seamless app launch and resizing experience

Starting with the 2502 version, Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 ensures an enhanced app launch experience. You experience a seamless, flicker-free transition to your apps without intermediate screens. The app also eliminates dark screens and flickering during resizing or stretching, providing a stable and modern interface. This feature is enabled by default.

Session launch diagnostics

Starting with the 2502 version, we’ve implemented an improved support process for session failures. Help desk administrators are now equipped with comprehensive insights into failure paths, allowing them to effectively triage and significantly reduce the number of support cases related to session failures.

For more information, see Session launch diagnostics in the Citrix Monitor documentation.

Support for horizontal scrolling on trackpad

Starting with the 2502 version, horizontal scrolling using the trackpad is supported within the session.

Fixed issues

• When the secure ICA feature is disabled in the delivery group properties, the session might not start. [RFHTMCRM-14974]

Known issues

There are no new known issues in this release.

Technical Preview

Features in the Technical Preview are available to use in non-production or limited production environments, and to give customers an opportunity to share feedback. Citrix does not accept support cases for features in technical preview but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.

Citrix Workspace app for HTML5 - Preview feedback

You can give the EAR feedback at: https://forms.gle/ef3eFFKBk7gvTi1b6.

Important:

The Early Adopter Release (EAR) documentation is available for information purposes only. It isn’t a commitment, promise, or legal obligation to deliver any material, code, or functionality and must not be relied upon in making Citrix product purchase decisions. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described in the EAR documentation remain at our sole discretion and are subject to change without notice or consultation. Citrix does not accept support cases for EAR but welcomes feedback for improving them. Citrix might act on feedback based on its severity, criticality, and importance.