[Feature]: Total keyboard control over the UI

[gasparschott]

By that I mean the ability to do things like jumping from the active document to the sidebars and back again with a keystroke (no command palette). Sidebar items should be navigable with the arrow keys, with (optional) automatic opening of files as they are selected (without the need for any clicks). Similar options for switching sidebar tabs.

It seems to me that keyboard-centric UIs should be a no-brainer for text-centric apps, yet the vast majority of them fall short in this area.

Thanks.

[jsgrrchg]

Just to clarify, is the expected behavior you’re proposing that navigating files with the keyboard in the sidebar should open them? I can do that, but I’m not sure about focusing the sidebar after you’ve focused on a pane that would come with a lot of edge cases.

[gasparschott]

Yes, navigating the files should open them. The focus should remain on the sidebar so that navigation can continue uninterrupted, allowing the user to choose when to focus the editor (with a shortcut). In other words: the user always determines what element is focused at a given moment by explicitly selecting it with a shortcut. Does that make sense? Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.

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On Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at 5:41 AM, José Gurruchaga ***@***.***> wrote: jsgrrchg left a comment [(jsgrrchg/NeverWrite#95)](#95 (comment)) Just to clarify, is the expected behavior you’re proposing that navigating files with the keyboard in the sidebar should open them? I can do that, but I’m not sure about focusing the sidebar after you’ve focused on a pane that would come with a lot of edge cases. — Reply to this email directly, [view it on GitHub](#95 (comment)), or [unsubscribe](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AF2ESZDSPM4CZ2HVZDSFKKD43GXPHAVCNFSM6AAAAACZAX2ZHKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DINZQGY4TKNZXGY). Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905) or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android). You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[jsgrrchg]

Yes! I’ll work on that. I was thinking about adding a dedicated shortcut, like Cmd + Shift + ↑/↓, to force navigation between files. What do you think? This is better in my opinion, because you wouldn't need to have the sidebar in focus.

Or would you prefer that, after clicking a file in the sidebar, the regular ↑/↓ arrows move between files in the sidebar and desactivate after you focus on a pane? This one is more tricky.

Im trying to decide which approach is better, happy to hear your thoughts :)

[gasparschott]

I think both options would be good. To be honest, a while back I created a simple Obsidian [plugin](https://github.com/gasparschott/smooth-explorer) that behaves in this way (as well as [another](https://www.obsidianstats.com/plugins/smooth-navigator) that adds pane and tab navigation), and while I like Obsidian, I am always on the lookout for the next better thing, especially something with this behavior built in. Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.

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On Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at 12:04 PM, José Gurruchaga ***@***.***> wrote: jsgrrchg left a comment [(jsgrrchg/NeverWrite#95)](#95 (comment)) Yes! I’ll work on that. I was thinking about adding a dedicated shortcut, like Cmd + Shift + ↑/↓, to force navigation between files. What do you think? This is better in my opinion, because you wouldn't need to have the sidebar in focus. Or would you prefer that, after clicking a file in the sidebar, the regular ↑/↓ arrows move between files in the sidebar and desactivate after you focus on a pane? This one is more tricky. Im trying to decide which approach is better, happy to hear your thoughts :) — Reply to this email directly, [view it on GitHub](#95 (comment)), or [unsubscribe](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AF2ESZFUWVIBX6VLJYO4XFL43IEKTAVCNFSM6AAAAACZAX2ZHKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DINZSGE4DEOJXHE). Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905) or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android). You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>

[jsgrrchg]

Thanks for taking the time to discuss it with me, this is something that seems easy (and it is code wise), but it needs to be done right. Im inclined with the first option Cmd + Shift + ↑/↓, is cleaner and with less edge cases.

When I used Obsidian, I had a specific plugin for this behavior, and I remember using Cmd (ctr for windows/linux) + Shift + ↑/↓ because it didn’t interfere with the normal ↑/↓ navigation inside notes or PDFs. This is actually something that I've been missing here, but it wasn't a priority. Now the app is ready for this kind of features.

I will include this one in the next update ;)

Best,

José.-

[gasparschott]

Thank you! And congratulations on the 600+ stars. The app looks good. Sent with [Proton Mail](https://proton.me/mail/home) secure email.

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On Sunday, May 17th, 2026 at 12:47 PM, José Gurruchaga ***@***.***> wrote: jsgrrchg left a comment [(jsgrrchg/NeverWrite#95)](#95 (comment)) Thanks for taking the time to discuss it with me, this is something that seems easy (and it is code wise), but it needs to be done right. Im inclined with the first option Cmd + Shift + ↑/↓, is cleaner and with less edge cases. When I used Obsidian, I had a specific plugin for this behavior, and I remember using Cmd (ctr for windows/linux) + Shift + ↑/↓ because it didn’t interfere with the normal ↑/↓ navigation inside notes or PDFs. This is actually something that I've been missing here, but it wasn't a priority. Now the app is ready for this kind of features. I will include this one in the next update ;) Best, José.- — Reply to this email directly, [view it on GitHub](#95 (comment)), or [unsubscribe](https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/AF2ESZH76XW4EBZ7L6S2Q4343IJOVAVCNFSM6AAAAACZAX2ZHKVHI2DSMVQWIX3LMV43OSLTON2WKQ3PNVWWK3TUHM2DINZSGMYDKNZRGA). Triage notifications on the go with GitHub Mobile for [iOS](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1477376905) or [Android](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.github.android). You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: ***@***.***>