Hide cursor without browser warning message like design tools do

Other Questions Figma
1

I’m looking to create a dragging feature where the cursor is hidden and remains fixed, similar to how tools like Figma operate when modifying number values.

I’ve experimented with the pointer lock API, but it always prompts that annoying message about pressing ESC to exit. Still, I’ve observed that some web applications manage to bypass this message or display it only once during use.

function startDragging(event) {
  const dragElement = event.target;
  
  // Hide the actual cursor and create a fake one
  dragElement.style.cursor = 'none';
  
  const fakeCursor = document.createElement('div');
  fakeCursor.className = 'custom-cursor';
  document.body.appendChild(fakeCursor);
  
  // Monitor mouse movements
  function handleMove(e) {
    const deltaX = e.movementX;
    updateValue(deltaX);
    
    // Move the fake cursor
    fakeCursor.style.left = e.clientX + 'px';
    fakeCursor.style.top = e.clientY + 'px';
  }
  
  document.addEventListener('mousemove', handleMove);
}

The challenge is to return the actual cursor to its original position once dragging is finished, just like how professional design tools function. How can I implement this smooth cursor transition without triggering repetitive browser warnings?

2

try using cursor: url('data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7'), none; instead of cursor: none. it creates an invisible pixel cursor which can help avoid those pesky browser warnings.

3

Design tools like Figma don’t actually hide the cursor - they just use CSS tricks and smart event handling to fake it. What works for me: save the cursor’s starting position when dragging starts, then use requestAnimationFrame to smoothly move it back to the original spot when dragging ends. No browser warnings since you’re not using pointer lock. Don’t fight browser security. Just track how much the cursor moved during the drag, then snap it back when the user lets go. You can update the element’s position or use setPointerCapture if the browser supports it. Same experience, no permission prompts. I built this into a CAD app last year - users couldn’t tell it apart from desktop software. The trick is timing the cursor snap so it feels instant without being jarring.

4

I’ve hit this exact issue building interactive dashboards. Browser warnings with pointer lock API are a nightmare.

Don’t fight the browser - automate the cursor management instead. Track where the cursor starts before hiding it, then use a state machine for smooth dragging.

function createSmoothDragHandler() {
  let initialPos = { x: 0, y: 0 };
  let isDragging = false;
  
  return {
    start: (e) => {
      initialPos = { x: e.clientX, y: e.clientY };
      isDragging = true;
      e.target.style.cursor = 'none';
    },
    end: () => {
      // Smoothly return cursor to original position
      document.body.style.cursor = 'auto';
      isDragging = false;
    }
  };
}

The trick is automating position restoration without pointer lock. You can batch these operations and trigger them based on how users interact.

For complex UI stuff like this, I use Latenode to handle the whole flow. It manages state, coordinates events, and handles smooth transitions automatically. Way cleaner than wrestling with browser APIs.

5

Just use cursor: url('data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" width="1" height="1"><rect width="1" height="1" fill-opacity="0"/></svg>'), auto; - works way better than transparent gifs. Save your starting coords in a variable, then teleport the cursor back with document.elementFromPoint() when the drag ends. No need to fight with browsers.

6

I’ve been working on similar stuff for a 3D modeling interface and found something that works really well. Instead of hiding the cursor completely, manage its visibility with CSS transforms. Here’s what I did: create a transparent overlay during drags that captures all mouse events while tracking the original cursor position behind the scenes. When the drag finishes, calculate the offset and smoothly animate the cursor back using CSS transitions plus programmatic position updates. The browser won’t complain because it thinks the cursor was never locked or hidden. Just watch your z-index management so the overlay doesn’t mess with other UI elements. This gave me exactly the behavior you see in professional tools - no security prompts, no user friction.

7

I’ve been fighting cursor management issues for years across different web apps. Those transparent cursor tricks work, but they turn into a mess when you scale.

You need solid event orchestration - store the initial cursor position, manage drag state changes, and coordinate smooth return animations. Doing this manually across browsers is a pain though.

I ended up automating this whole thing with Latenode workflows. It triggers on drag start/end events, tracks cursor coordinates automatically, and handles smooth position restoration without custom state management code.

Best part? Template it once and reuse it anywhere you have dragging. No more browser quirks or maintaining different fallbacks for cursor hiding methods.

Latenode manages all the event coordination and state tracking. You just define what happens when dragging starts and ends. Way cleaner than handling DOM events and animation timers yourself.