Comment 6 for bug 583080

I can supply an SVG if really needed, but nothing complex is required--just a single simple object. Now that I've figured it out, I can reproduce consistently:

Start a fresh new document.
Create an object (say, a box) and convert it to path.
Open Fill and Stroke, select gradient to apply to the path.
Switch to the node selection tool.
Select a vertex (Fn'S still shows gradient).
Select one of the control markers for the gradient by clicking on it (Fn'S switches to solid color).
Select at least one vertex again, either by clicking with or without modifier keys or drag-selecting (Fn'S stays on solid color).
- Alternatively/After, deselect the control marker by shift-clicking on it (Fn'S still stays on solid color).
Gradient status is only restored in Fill and Stroke if directly clicking the object, forcing vertex selection to be lost, or moving the selected vertices.

I didn't even realize until trying to reproduce this behavior that the solid color selection allowed me to edit a gradient "in-line." Most of the time when that was up, I was dealing with a vertex selection, not color markers. I can see the value in that, but I'd rather keep access to gradient selection and other controls--especially since clicking color markers other than the anchor and endpoint(s) brings risk of accidentally moving them.

I think this bug:
https://bugs.launchpad.net/inkscape/+bug/321840
is really on the right track for improving this and related behavioral gotchas/inconsistencies.