Modernize folder list (sidebar)
The current sidebar has a number of problems, both layout and interaction wise, including
- There's a top-level account row in the treeview, which means almost every single item is indented, which looks off balance
- The treeview expand/contract arrows on the left further increase that indentation
- The individual rows are very narrow, which makes everything look cramped and makes for poor click targets
- By default, all folders and subfolders are unfolded, making rarely-used folders way too visible
- All configured accounts with all their folders are stacked on top of each other, making the list very long and unwiedly
All of these factors result in a narrow row of hard to click items with a ton of whitespace around them.
Goals
- Works on small displays and touchscreens too
- Looks better visually (no unbalanced whitespace)
- Easier to scan at a glance
Relevant Art
iPad OS 14:
Gmail on Android tablets:
macOS Big Sur:
Ideas
Improved Tree-View
- Collapse all nested folders by default
- Larger padding on each row
- Remove expand/contract arrows (or maybe move them to the right side?)
- No indentation difference between account name and top-level folders
Sub-views
- Only show top-level folders in the sidebar by default
- Clicking a nested folder opens a sub-view in the sidebar
- Back button in the headerbar goes back up
- What happens to primary menu?
One account at a time (orthogonal to other ideas)
- Only show the folders for one account
- Explicit account switcher, either as a button in the headerbar or as multiple rows at the top of the list
- Some kind of unified inbox?
cc @jsparber
Edited by Michael Gratton