Layout manager ux fixes (#4831)

imsnif · web-flow · commit 578a7db7d750 · 2026-03-10T22:47:09.000+01:00
* close self after applying and rename tab as layout

* general ui/ux fixes

* change session manager title on startup

* add pr
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -21,7 +21,7 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 * feat: allow overriding layouts at runtime (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4566)
 * build: Update Rust toolchain to 1.92.0 (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4579)
 * docs: Explain Rust toolchain update strategy in CONTRIBUTING (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4585)
-* feat: new `layout-manager` interface and plugin API commands (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4601)
+* feat: new `layout-manager` interface and plugin API commands (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4601 and https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4831)
 * fix: keep serializing sessions resurrected from the welcome screen (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4604)
 * fix: sanitize session names when deleting them from the CLI (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4583)
 * fix: properly close the welcome screen session when switching sessions away from it (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/4605)
diff --git a/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/screens/layout_list/mod.rs b/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/screens/layout_list/mod.rs
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@ impl Default for LayoutListScreen {
             retain_plugin_panes: false,
             apply_only_to_active_tab: false,
             show_more_override_options: false,
-            search_state: SearchState::new(),
+            search_state: SearchState::new_in_search_mode(),
             last_rows: 0,
             last_cols: 0,
         }
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
             retain_plugin_panes: false,
             apply_only_to_active_tab: false,
             show_more_override_options: false,
-            search_state: SearchState::new(),
+            search_state: SearchState::new_in_search_mode(),
             last_rows: 0,
             last_cols: 0,
         }
@@ -101,7 +101,7 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
                     self.open_selected_layout(display_layouts);
                     KeyResponse::none()
                 },
-                BareKey::Tab if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
+                BareKey::Char('o') if key.has_modifiers(&[KeyModifier::Ctrl]) => {
                     self.apply_selected_layout(display_layouts);
                     KeyResponse::none()
                 },
@@ -125,8 +125,8 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
                     KeyResponse::render()
                 },
                 BareKey::Esc if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
-                    self.clear_filter();
-                    KeyResponse::render()
+                    close_self();
+                    KeyResponse::none()
                 },
                 _ => KeyResponse::none(),
             }
@@ -138,27 +138,50 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
         key: KeyWithModifier,
         display_layouts: &[DisplayLayout],
     ) -> KeyResponse {
-        // Special handling for Enter and Esc
+        // Search-first mode: Enter opens, Ctrl+O applies, Tab autocompletes,
+        // arrows navigate, Esc exits to management mode
         match key.bare_key {
             BareKey::Esc if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
-                self.clear_filter();
+                // Clear text first; only exit to management mode if already empty
+                if self.search_state.get_filter_input().is_empty() {
+                    self.clear_filter();
+                } else {
+                    self.search_state.get_filter_input_mut().clear();
+                    self.update_filter(display_layouts);
+                }
                 return KeyResponse::render();
             },
             BareKey::Enter if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
-                if self.search_state.get_filter_input().is_empty()
-                    || self.search_state.get_search_results().is_empty()
-                {
-                    self.clear_filter();
-                } else {
-                    self.search_state.stop_typing();
-                    show_cursor(None);
+                // Open the currently selected layout as new tab(s)
+                self.open_selected_layout(display_layouts);
+                return KeyResponse::none();
+            },
+            BareKey::Char('o') if key.has_modifiers(&[KeyModifier::Ctrl]) => {
+                // Apply/override the currently selected layout to the session
+                self.apply_selected_layout(display_layouts);
+                return KeyResponse::none();
+            },
+            BareKey::Tab if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
+                // Complete: fill input with selected match name
+                if self.search_state.fill_input_with_selected_match() {
+                    self.update_filter(display_layouts);
                 }
                 return KeyResponse::render();
             },
+            BareKey::Up if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
+                // Navigate filtered results while typing
+                self.navigate_up(display_layouts);
+                return KeyResponse::render();
+            },
+            BareKey::Down if key.has_no_modifiers() => {
+                // Navigate filtered results while typing
+                self.navigate_down(display_layouts);
+                return KeyResponse::render();
+            },
             _ => {},
         }
 
-        // Pass all keys to TextInput
+        // Pass remaining keys to TextInput
         let action = self.search_state.get_filter_input_mut().handle_key(key);
 
         match action {
@@ -167,8 +190,13 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
                 KeyResponse::render()
             },
             InputAction::Cancel => {
-                // Ctrl-C or Esc - clear filter
-                self.clear_filter();
+                // Ctrl-C - clear text first; only exit to management mode if already empty
+                if self.search_state.get_filter_input().is_empty() {
+                    self.clear_filter();
+                } else {
+                    self.search_state.get_filter_input_mut().clear();
+                    self.update_filter(display_layouts);
+                }
                 KeyResponse::render()
             },
             InputAction::Submit => {
@@ -304,6 +332,7 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
                 self.apply_only_to_active_tab,
                 Default::default(),
             );
+            close_self();
         }
     }
 
@@ -364,10 +393,16 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
     }
 
     fn open_selected_layout(&self, display_layouts: &[DisplayLayout]) {
-        if let Some(DisplayLayout::Valid(chosen_layout)) =
-            display_layouts.get(self.selected_layout_index)
-        {
-            new_tabs_with_layout_info(chosen_layout);
+        let selected = display_layouts.get(self.selected_layout_index);
+        if let Some(DisplayLayout::Valid(chosen_layout)) = selected {
+            let tab_ids = new_tabs_with_layout_info(chosen_layout);
+            if self.should_default_to_current_tab(display_layouts) {
+                if let Some(&tab_id) = tab_ids.first() {
+                    let layout_name = selected.unwrap().name();
+                    rename_tab_with_id(tab_id as u64, layout_name);
+                }
+            }
+            close_self();
         }
     }
 
@@ -385,6 +420,13 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
         let (base_x, base_y) =
             self.calculate_base_coordinates(rows, cols, total_width, total_height);
 
+        // In search mode, shift everything down by 1 row
+        let base_y = if self.search_state.is_typing() || self.search_state.is_active() {
+            base_y + 1
+        } else {
+            base_y
+        };
+
         let layouts_to_render = self.effective_layouts(display_layouts);
         let (content_height, controls_y) = self.calculate_layout(rows, &display_layouts);
 
@@ -461,13 +503,17 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
         let rows_in_table = display_layouts.len() + 1; // 1 for the title row
         let controls_height = self.get_controls_height();
         let filter_row_height = if self.is_searching() { 1 } else { 0 };
+        let search_mode_offset = if self.is_searching() { 1 } else { 0 };
         let padding = 1;
         let mut content_height = std::cmp::max(rows_in_table, 5);
-        if content_height + controls_height + padding + filter_row_height >= rows {
+        if content_height + controls_height + padding + filter_row_height + search_mode_offset
+            >= rows
+        {
             content_height = rows
                 .saturating_sub(controls_height)
                 .saturating_sub(padding)
                 .saturating_sub(filter_row_height)
+                .saturating_sub(search_mode_offset)
         }
         let controls_y = content_height + padding + filter_row_height;
 
@@ -520,10 +566,12 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
         display_layouts: &[DisplayLayout],
     ) -> (usize, usize) {
         let filter_row_height = if self.is_searching() { 1 } else { 0 };
+        let search_mode_offset = if self.is_searching() { 1 } else { 0 };
         let (content_height, _) = self.calculate_layout(rows, display_layouts);
         let padding = 1;
         let controls_height = self.get_controls_height();
-        let total_height = filter_row_height + content_height + padding + controls_height;
+        let total_height =
+            filter_row_height + search_mode_offset + content_height + padding + controls_height;
 
         let controls = Controls::new(
             self.retain_terminal_panes,
@@ -612,6 +660,13 @@ impl LayoutListScreen {
             total_height,
         );
 
+        // In search mode, cursor must account for the extra row offset
+        let base_y = if self.search_state.is_typing() || self.search_state.is_active() {
+            base_y + 1
+        } else {
+            base_y
+        };
+
         self.search_state
             .update_filter(display_layouts, base_x, base_y);
 
diff --git a/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/screens/layout_list/search.rs b/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/screens/layout_list/search.rs
@@ -34,8 +34,22 @@ impl Default for SearchState {
 }
 
 impl SearchState {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
-        Self::default()
+    pub fn new_in_search_mode() -> Self {
+        Self {
+            typing_filter: true,
+            ..Self::default()
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn fill_input_with_selected_match(&mut self) -> bool {
+        if let Some(result) = self.search_results.get(self.selected_search_index) {
+            let name = result.layout.name();
+            if self.filter_input.get_text() != name {
+                self.filter_input.set_text(name);
+                return true;
+            }
+        }
+        false
     }
 
     pub fn is_active(&self) -> bool {
@@ -50,10 +64,6 @@ impl SearchState {
         self.typing_filter = true;
     }
 
-    pub fn stop_typing(&mut self) {
-        self.typing_filter = false;
-    }
-
     pub fn get_filter_input(&self) -> &TextInput {
         &self.filter_input
     }
@@ -80,7 +90,7 @@ impl SearchState {
         base_x: usize,
         base_y: usize,
     ) {
-        let filter_prompt = "Filter:";
+        let filter_prompt = "Layout:";
         let filter_text = self.filter_input.get_text();
 
         // Clear results if filter is empty
@@ -155,15 +165,15 @@ impl SearchState {
         let filter_text_str = self.filter_input.get_text();
         let filter_text = if self.typing_filter {
             let mut filter_line =
-                Text::new(format!("Filter: {}", filter_text_str)).color_substring(2, "Filter:");
+                Text::new(format!("Layout: {}", filter_text_str)).color_substring(2, "Layout:");
             if !filter_text_str.is_empty() {
                 filter_line = filter_line.color_last_substring(3, filter_text_str)
             }
             filter_line
         } else {
-            Text::new(format!("Filter: {} (<Esc> - clear)", filter_text_str))
+            Text::new(format!("Layout: {} (<Esc> - clear)", filter_text_str))
                 .color_substring(3, "<Esc>")
-                .color_substring(2, "Filter:")
+                .color_substring(2, "Layout:")
         };
         print_text_with_coordinates(filter_text, base_x, base_y, None, None);
     }
diff --git a/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/ui/layout_table.rs b/default-plugins/layout-manager/src/ui/layout_table.rs
@@ -184,45 +184,55 @@ impl Controls {
     }
 
     fn get_typing_filter_controls(&self, max_cols: usize) -> (&str, &[&str]) {
-        let long_text = "- <Enter> - accept filter";
-        let short_text = "<Enter> - accept filter";
-        let minimum_text = "<Enter> ...";
+        let long_text =
+            "- <↑↓> Navigate, <Tab> Complete, <Enter> Open, <Ctrl+o> Apply, <Esc> Manage & New";
+        let short_text = "<↑↓>/<Tab>/<Enter>/<Ctrl+o>/<Esc> Nav/Complete/Open/Apply/Manage";
+        let minimum_text = "<↑↓>/<Tab>/<Enter>/<Ctrl+o> ...";
         let text = if max_cols >= long_text.chars().count() {
             long_text
         } else if max_cols >= short_text.chars().count() {
             short_text
         } else {
             minimum_text
         };
-        (text, &["<Enter>"])
+        (text, &["<↑↓>", "<Tab>", "<Enter>", "<Ctrl+o>", "<Esc>"])
     }
 
     fn get_filter_active_controls(&self, max_cols: usize) -> (&str, &[&str]) {
-        let long_text = "- <Enter> Open, <↓↑> Nav, <e> Edit, <r> Rename, <Del> - Delete";
-        let short_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/<e>/<r>/<Del> Open/Nav/Edit/Rename/Del";
-        let minimum_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/<e>/<r>/<Del> ...";
+        let long_text =
+            "- <Enter> Open, <↓↑> Nav, <Ctrl+o> Apply, <e> Edit, <r> Rename, <Del> Delete";
+        let short_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/<Ctrl+o>/<e>/<r>/<Del> Open/Nav/Apply/Edit/Rename/Del";
+        let minimum_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/<Ctrl+o>/<e>/<r>/<Del> ...";
         let text = if max_cols >= long_text.chars().count() {
             long_text
         } else if max_cols >= short_text.chars().count() {
             short_text
         } else {
             minimum_text
         };
-        (text, &["<Enter>", "<↓↑>", "<e>", "<r>", "<Del>"])
+        (
+            text,
+            &["<Enter>", "<↓↑>", "<Ctrl+o>", "<e>", "<r>", "<Del>"],
+        )
     }
 
     fn get_default_controls(&self, max_cols: usize) -> (&str, &[&str]) {
-        let long_text = "- <Enter> Open, <↓↑> Nav, </> Filter, <e> Edit, <r> Rename, <Del> - Del";
-        let short_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/</>/<e>/<r>/<Del> Open/Nav/Filter/Edit/Rename/Del";
-        let minimum_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/</>/<e>/<r>/<Del> ...";
+        let long_text =
+            "- <Enter> Open, <↓↑> Nav, </> Search, <Ctrl+o> Apply, <e> Edit, <r> Rename, <Del> Del";
+        let short_text =
+            "<Enter>/<↓↑>/</>/<Ctrl+o>/<e>/<r>/<Del> Open/Nav/Search/Apply/Edit/Rename/Del";
+        let minimum_text = "<Enter>/<↓↑>/</>/<Ctrl+o>/<e>/<r>/<Del> ...";
         let text = if max_cols >= long_text.chars().count() {
             long_text
         } else if max_cols >= short_text.chars().count() {
             short_text
         } else {
             minimum_text
         };
-        (text, &["<Enter>", "<↓↑>", "</>", "<e>", "<r>", "<Del>"])
+        (
+            text,
+            &["<Enter>", "<↓↑>", "</>", "<Ctrl+o>", "<e>", "<r>", "<Del>"],
+        )
     }
 
     fn get_basic_controls_text_and_keys(&self, max_cols: usize) -> (&str, &[&str]) {
@@ -240,19 +250,19 @@ impl Controls {
             "more"
         };
         let long_text = format!(
-            "- <Tab> Override Session Layout, <?> {} options",
+            "- <Ctrl+o> Override Session Layout, <?> {} options",
             toggle_word
         );
-        let short_text = format!("<Tab> Override, <?> {} options", toggle_word);
-        let minimum_text = format!("<Tab>/<?> ...");
+        let short_text = format!("<Ctrl+o> Override, <?> {} options", toggle_word);
+        let minimum_text = format!("<Ctrl+o>/<?> ...");
         let text = if max_cols >= long_text.chars().count() {
             long_text
         } else if max_cols >= short_text.chars().count() {
             short_text
         } else {
             minimum_text
         };
-        (text, &["<Tab>", "<?>"])
+        (text, &["<Ctrl+o>", "<?>"])
     }
 
     fn get_new_layout_text_and_keys(&self, max_cols: usize) -> (&str, &[&str]) {
diff --git a/default-plugins/session-manager/src/main.rs b/default-plugins/session-manager/src/main.rs
@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {
             EventType::RunCommandResult,
             EventType::Timer,
         ]);
+        rename_plugin_pane(get_plugin_ids().plugin_id, "Session Manager");
     }
 
     fn pipe(&mut self, pipe_message: PipeMessage) -> bool {

Original file line number	Diff line number	Diff line change
`@@ -86,6 +86,7 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {`
`86`	`86`	`EventType::RunCommandResult,`
`87`	`87`	`EventType::Timer,`
`88`	`88`	`]);`
	`89`	`+ rename_plugin_pane(get_plugin_ids().plugin_id, "Session Manager");`
`89`	`90`	`}`
`90`	`91`
`91`	`92`	`fn pipe(&mut self, pipe_message: PipeMessage) -> bool {`