Add buttons for collapse all and find in folder tree

[BrianIto]

When we are dealing with files and folders in our debugging/coding sessions is kinda hard, repetitive and flow-breaker to collapse all the folders that we open (specially those which guides us to nowhere). Adding a simple collapse all button near the main folder (project) would solve this problem.

I would do this, if I knew how to write Rust and I never contributed before in any project (and I really feel I should be handguided to not make any crazy mistake).

An example in VsCode:

An example in JetBrains IDEs:

Thanks for all you are doing guys. I absolutely love Zed!

[Moshyfawn]

While I cannot speak for the Zed team specifically, I have noticed that they generally aim for a minimalistic design for the editor. As a result, the action buttons in the project panel may not fit into the view. Please note that I am not suggesting that this is a bad idea or that it will not be implemented in Zed, but rather sharing my observations.

That said, with the project panel focused, you can achieve the exact behaviour you're looking for by selecting the project panel: collapse all entries command from the command panel using cmd-shift-p.

[BrianIto]

One thing I dislike from minimalist approaches is that most of our work is complex, and this minimalistic approach is more confusing than the approach I had,. I will be using the Don Norman's explanation:

Modern technology can be complex, but complexity by itself is neither good nor bad: it is confusion that is bad. Forget the complaints against complexity; instead, complain about confusion. We should complain about anything that makes us feel helpless, powerless in the face of mysterious forces that take away control and understanding.

Donald A. Norman (aka. UX Father), Living With Complexity, 2011.

[Moshyfawn]

When it comes to UI complexity, I tend to think of how Android Studio, while packing a ton of features, is a bombastic pile of buttons and options in it's current design, as opposed to their beta UI which is much more streamlined and easier to navigate, while still having all the features of the current version.

I believe Zed's team has a few Vim users, which may partly explain their view on UI complexity. There's also the command palette, which can be the ergonomic tool that's the door to all the features of the editor, just a search away.

I honestly don't mind the current Zed UI; I've developed a few working/navigation habits that make it quite a bit more productive than editors like VSCode.

I will say, though, that I'm hoping that Zed's upcoming plugin system will allow pieces of functionality like you mentioned to be added to the editor in userland; that way, the core editor can remain as simple as possible.

P.S. I'm not a Zed developer, just a fan and a power user. The team may very well have a different view on your use case. I'm just sharing my thoughts 😊

[jish]

"While I cannot speak for the Zed team specifically, I have noticed that they generally aim for a minimalistic design for the editor. As a result, the action buttons in the project panel may not fit into the view."

In all other text editors that I've used option-click on the folder collapses or expands all folders.

I suggest enabling the option-click behavior to expand all or collapse all.

• This is in line with standards set by all other editors, and
• A minimalist design that is not cluttered with buttons.

[chrisvander]

@jish hope you noticed that was implemented 😄

[jish]

I had not noticed. Thanks for adding this feature, and thanks for letting me know! 😄 🙇