Design a generic side panel system for right-hand plugins

[jedrazb]

Problem

We currently have the template variable panel on the right side of the editor. As we add more features — Track Changes (#49), comments, document outline — they'll all need right-side panel space.

Right now there's no system for this. Each feature would fight for the same space, and we'd end up with ad-hoc solutions that don't compose well.

What we need

A generic panel registration system that plugins can hook into cleanly. Something like:

interface SidePanel {
  id: string;            // 'templates', 'track-changes', 'comments'
  label: string;
  icon: ReactNode;
  component: ReactNode;
  badge?: number;        // e.g. "3 pending changes"
}

Plugins register a panel, the system handles layout and switching.

Open question: what's the best UX pattern?

• Icon rail (like VS Code's activity bar) — vertical icon strip on the far right, click to open/close, only one panel visible at a time
• Stacked/collapsible sections — multiple panels visible simultaneously, each independently expandable
• Contextual — panel switches automatically based on what you're doing (select a tracked change → review panel appears, click a template field → templates panel appears)

Why this matters now

This should be build together with Track Changes (#49) or any other right-side feature, so they plug in cleanly from day one. The existing template panel should be refactored to use this system as the first consumer.

Input and PRs welcome!

[bhupesh-sf]

vscode style seems better as I would like to see AI panel as well along with others. Multiple panels may not look that well

[erophames]

vscode style seems better as I would like to see AI panel as well along with others. Multiple panels may not look that well

I really don't think a text editor component should become another overbloated AI tool. Yes, this tool is being built with the assistance of AI. But that does not mean it needs to be shoehorned in as well.

[bhupesh-sf]

vscode style seems better as I would like to see AI panel as well along with others. Multiple panels may not look that well

I really don't think a text editor component should become another overbloated AI tool. Yes, this tool is being built with the assistance of AI. But that does not mean it needs to be shoehorned in as well.

Its not about overbloating, but AI editing is becoming a norm as more and more users depending upon it, so its seems important to have a basic AI sidebar which can do the stuff for the user

[erophames]

vscode style seems better as I would like to see AI panel as well along with others. Multiple panels may not look that well

I really don't think a text editor component should become another overbloated AI tool. Yes, this tool is being built with the assistance of AI. But that does not mean it needs to be shoehorned in as well.

Its not about overbloating, but AI editing is becoming a norm as more and more users depending upon it, so its seems important to have a basic AI sidebar which can do the stuff for the user

Perhaps you can do a PR for it?