[Feature Request] More ideas for Command Bar actions

[SiteRider]

Description:
Since version 1.16b, Zen Browser allows users to perform different actions directly from the Command Bar (e.g., toggling Compact Mode).

This feature is already super useful, and I think it could be even more powerful with additional actions related to tab and space management.

Here are some ideas:

1. Duplicate current tab
2. Move current tab to a folder
3. Move current tab to another space
4. Replace pinned URL with current
5. Reset pinned Tab

I believe these additions would make the Command Bar an even more flexible and efficient tool for power users.

👉 If other users have more ideas for useful Command Bar actions, please feel free to add them in the comments!

[mr-cheffy]

If you'd like to make your first contribution, its very simple to add new commands!

List of commands: for zen / for firefox
Urlbar Commands: https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/blob/dev/src/zen/urlbar/ZenUBGlobalActions.sys.mjs

[qvattr0]

Great resources, I may just start trying to implement those.

[papa-Leo]

I'm busy implementing the following commands:

• Create New Workspace
• Delete Current Workspace
• Unsplit Tabs
• Split Tabs Vertically
• Split Tabs Horizontally
• Split Tabs as Grid

I'll also try some of @SiteRider's suggestions if no one else gets to it first.
Guidance welcome, this is my first contribution!
PR coming soon.

[wasokeli]

These sound useful, thank you for your contributions!!

"Delete current workspace" might be better disabled by default, I wouldn't want to invoke that accidentally from a misclick or an unfortunate autocomplete...

[NoHidSe]

native !bangs support is great instead of relying on ddg or other search engines
see bangs for the helium browser as reference link

[timharris777]

How do I only see commands? If I start typing commands show up randomly in my suggestions, but I want to see all available commands and only filter them. Similar to how typing > in vscode bar will only show commands.

Maybe adding commands in the search shortcuts could be useful-- similar to history, bookmarks, and tabs so the trigger for commands can be configurable.

[papa-Leo]

If you press TAB while the URL bar is empty, it will show all of the available commands: Release notes - Zen

Bear in mind that this might not be every command there is, only the commands available in the current context. Refer to this file if you want to see every command that has been implemented so far.

[timharris777]

If you press TAB while the URL bar is empty, it will show all of the available commands: Release notes - Zen

Bear in mind that this might not be every command there is, only the commands available in the current context. Refer to this file if you want to see every command that has been implemented so far.

This does not work for me. Pressing TAB on an empty bar just goes to the first suggested entry that is in the dropdown. Nevermind-- restarting the browser picked up the new behavior.

[kianenigma]

Moving a tab to another space and/or container from the command bar would be super useful. Looking forward to your PR @papa-Leo!

[davidmcguiredesign]

Perhaps instead of asking which commands are useful in the command bar, we should ask which are not. I think “CtrlT for everything” was one of Arc's better ideas.

[timharris777]

Perhaps instead of asking which commands are useful in the command bar, we should ask which are not. I think “CtrlT for everything” was one of Arc's better ideas.

I agree-- the purpose of a command pallet is to have every command available via fuzzy search. Instead of selectively adding commands in, it should be everything.

[lnatero]

Opening a pinned tab instead of creating a new tab would be useful.

For example:
If I have YouTube as a pinned tab (with url: www.youtube.com), and if the pinned tab is unloaded, then typing "youtube" in the command bar and pressing enter should open the unloaded pinned tab for YouTube, instead of creating a new tab for www.youtube.com.
If I have already opened the pinned YouTube tab, (and the current url of the pinned tab is different from the original, i.e. I have a video opened) then typing youtube into the command bar should create a new tab with www.youtube.com.

[wasokeli]

There's an open standard similar to !bang prefixes. It's called OpenSearch, and Firefox already supports it. You type the search engine you want, press tab, and type your query.

Firefox:

1. type your search engine

2. press tab

Chrome:

1. type your search engine

2. press tab

[redrumthebum]

i know this is exists in zen if you turn on browser.urlbar.scotchBonnet.enableOverride in about:config, tho i dont think it is currently supported properly (hence why it's off by default).

[y1n0]

it should basically have everything. Anything that can be accessed from menu bar, options menu, right click, etc..

ETA: it should be able to open extension popups

[davidmcguiredesign]

As in, “CtrlT for everything”?

[nrysk]

I'd like to propose adding commands to switch the theme. This would be very useful for web development to quickly check appearance in different themes

How about this three separate commands:

• Switch Theme to Automatic
• Switch Theme to Light Mode (This would be hidden on light mode)
• Switch Theme to Dark Mode (This would be hidden on dark mode)

From my initial investigation, it looks like this would require changes to zen-commands.inc.xhtml, zen-sets.js and ZenUBGlobalActions.sys.mjs using Services.prefs.setIntPref('zen.view.window.scheme', themeInt);. Is that correct?

If this idea is acceptable, I'm willing to work on implementing it and submitting a PR.

[RurPet]

Maybe expand a Folder?

[Nicknamely]

> cmd
# General commands:
# split [h|j|k|l] (left, top,bottom,right) ........... so your finger stay on the homerow
# move [tab|workspace|folder] <target [folder|workspace]>
# clear [history <n hours|n days|n weeks> | all]
# clear cookies [current-site | all]
# set <setting-name / profile> # dont need to specify value if it is toglable

= 23+5
# Inline arithmetic , instantly shows the result.

== 32
# Unit conversions , e.g. 32 miles -> km, F -> C, etc. (can suggest common conversions beased on your region if the unit is not specified

!
# dont know what this prefix can be used for.

[WuuBoLin]

Now after Zen has the command palette, I want Extending the thoughts from #807, #8398, and #10767: bind keybindings to different filterable Command Bar actions, similar to Telescope in Neovim, Consult in Emacs, Rofi on Linux, Raycast / Spotlight on macOS, or even the Arc browser.

For example:
M-x for all actions
M-g for tab switching
M-t for switching between theme presets

Also, if the command bar/palette can be a separate shortcut (instead of opening the URL bar and then pressing Tab) then maybe it might be able to pre-select the first item just like a lot of people mentioned?

One thing I really want when using Firefox (before Zen) is the ability to have a search tab keybinding, like in Chromium-based browsers, as mentioned in #807. If there is a way to pre-select an already opened tab when searching, similar to how Arc behaves shown in this comment, that would be even better.

[mr-cheffy]

Wrong thread, and its a core feature of zen, not other browsers.

[pxlrbt]

Print would be awesome, as I have the command palette on ⌘ + P 😅