anomalyco
feat(tui): [EXPERIMENTAL] Vim-style window system with extensible plugin views
⚠️ EXPERIMENTAL: Proof-of-concept for discussion. Not ready for merge.
Relates to #6032
To support NERDTree-like plugins (file browsers, symbol outlines, git panels) that render persistent side panels, we need this window system refactor. The current single-view design can't accommodate plugin views.
https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/7e2b5332-6452-4de8-a5af-0e6217c691f8
Vim-Style Window System
Vim-style splits with Ctrl+X + hjkl navigation. Independent sessions per pane. Extensible plugin views (Tree/List/Text/Form) enable NERDTree-style browsers and custom tool windows.
Why This Matters
Platform, Not Chat Client: Run a session in one pane, browse files in another, review diffs in a third.
Plugin-First Architecture: Plugins register views via ViewRegistry.register(id, view), users open them with layout.navigateFocusedWindow(id). Window system handles focus, borders, resizing.
Future-Proof: Layout tree supports floating windows, tabs, saved layouts without architectural changes.
Keybindings
| Action | Keybind |
|---|---|
| Split horizontal | Ctrl+X - |
| Split vertical | Ctrl+X | |
| Focus left/down/up/right | Ctrl+X H/J/K/L |
| Close window | Ctrl+X Q |
| Equalize | Ctrl+X = |
| Resize | Ctrl+X +/_/>/< |
Known Limitations
- Resize keybindings need more testing
- Window state not persisted across restarts
- Some SolidJS timing quirks (workarounds in place)
