Sidebar / Navigation Options

Phase 1 adds: sidebar nav, author filter, search bar, branch age column. Which layout fits best?

Option A: Left Sidebar

git-cleaner
📋 Branches
⭐ Stale
📊 Dashboard
⚙️ Settings
v1.0.3
🔍 Search branches... 👤 All authors
● main [ahead 2]
● feature/login
● fix/header-bug
● old/experiment [3mo ago]

Pros

  • Classic TUI pattern (htop, ranger)
  • Room for many nav items + badges
  • Branch list stays full width
  • Scrollable independently

Cons

  • ~12 columns of screen real estate lost
  • Can feel cramped on narrow terminals

Option B: Top Tab Bar

📋 Branches
⭐ Stale
📊 Dashboard
⚙️ Settings
🔍 Search branches... 👤 All authors
● main [ahead 2]
● feature/login
● fix/header-bug
● old/experiment [3mo ago]

Pros

  • Maximum content width
  • Familiar browser-like pattern
  • Minimal screen real estate used (1 row)

Cons

  • Limited space for nav labels
  • Badges/counts look crowded
  • Less distinctive as a TUI

Option C: Bottom Tab Bar

🔍 Search branches... 👤 All authors
● main [ahead 2]
● feature/login
● fix/header-bug
● old/experiment [3mo ago]
📋 Branches
⭐ Stale
📊 Dashboard
⚙️ Settings

Pros

  • Like lazygit, btm — fits TUI convention
  • Maximum content + width
  • Tabs don't interfere with content scan

Cons

  • Bottom feels less prominent for nav
  • Scroll indicators at bottom compete
  • Less room for badges at bottom
A

Left Sidebar

Classic TUI, roomy but costs width

B

Top Tabs

Familiar, minimal space, tight labels

C

Bottom Tabs

lazygit-style, content-first