Add a toggle to switch between floating Liquid Glass sidebar and classic opaque sidebar with proper integration.
This feature would allow users to choose their preferred sidebar style based on their workflow needs and visual preferences. Users who work with the browser for extended periods (8+ hours daily) need consistent, readable UI that doesn't break against arbitrary web content.
Impact on existing workflows:
- Users who prefer the current floating aesthetic can keep it (default)
- Users who need functional, high-contrast UI can switch to classic mode
- Reduces visual fatigue for long work sessions
- Eliminates readability issues when sidebar samples dark or busy web content
- Restores professional appearance when presenting/screen sharing
This directly addresses the conflict between Orion's marketing promise—"Customize Everything Your Way. Limitless customization that goes far beyond themes. Configure every detail to work exactly as you need"—and the current forced floating sidebar implementation.
I was sold on this statement, it's the main reason I moved here.
User workflow:
- User opens Orion Settings → Appearance
- Under "Sidebar Style" section, user sees:
- ○ Floating (Liquid Glass) [default]
- ○ Classic (Opaque)
- User selects "Classic (Opaque)"
- Sidebar immediately switches to:
- Opaque background matching system theme (light/dark)
- Full-height integration with no floating gap
- Proper padding integrated with toolbar chrome
- Consistent contrast against all web content
- Optional subtle separator line (1px) for visual hierarchy
Advanced option (optional):
- Checkbox: "Use vibrancy on new tab page only" (applies Liquid Glass effect when viewing browser's own UI, opaque for web content)
Examples from other browsers with vertical tabs:
Microsoft Edge:
- Settings → Appearance → Customize sidebar
- Options for sidebar position, behavior, and styling
- Users can adjust opacity, spacing, and visual effects
Vivaldi:
- Settings → Sidebar → Appearance
- Full control over sidebar colors, transparency, position
- Can disable translucency entirely
- Separate theming for sidebar vs main UI
Arc (before shutdown):
- Multiple sidebar modes with different visual treatments
- Users could choose compact vs expanded styles
- Different opacity levels available
Zen Browser:
- Settings → Sidebar → Style
- Options for transparent, semi-transparent, or solid backgrounds
- Respects user's preference for visual consistency
Implementation in Orion context:
This feature extends Orion's existing customization philosophy. Currently users can customize:
- Tab behavior
- Search engines
- Privacy settings
- Extension management
Adding sidebar style choice would complete the "limitless customization" promise by addressing the single most visually prominent UI element that users interact with constantly during vertical tab.
workflows.
Why this matters specifically for Orion:
Safari's sidebar implementation receives constant criticism in Apple's own forums and feedback channels, but Apple controls the entire stack and can enforce visual consistency through:
- Default system theming
- Controlled toolbar chrome
- Minimal sidebar usage (bookmarks only, not persistent vertical tabs)
Orion uses the sidebar as a primary navigation surface (vertical tabs). This multiplies the surface area of the problem by 10×. Users interact with it constantly—every tab switch, every navigation action, every workflow transition.
User workflow:
- User opens Orion Settings → Appearance
- Under "Sidebar Style" section, user sees:
- ○ Floating (Liquid Glass) [default]
- ○ Classic (Opaque)
- User selects "Classic (Opaque)"
- Sidebar immediately switches to:
- Opaque background matching system theme (light/dark)
- Full-height integration with no floating gap
- Proper padding integrated with toolbar chrome
- Consistent contrast against all web content
- Optional subtle separator line (1px) for visual hierarchy
Advanced option (optional):
- Checkbox: "Use vibrancy on new tab page only" (applies Liquid Glass effect when viewing browser's own UI, opaque for web content)
Examples from other browsers with vertical tabs:
Microsoft Edge:
- Settings → Appearance → Customize sidebar
- Options for sidebar position, behavior, and styling
- Users can adjust opacity, spacing, and visual effects
Vivaldi:
- Settings → Sidebar → Appearance
- Full control over sidebar colors, transparency, position
- Can disable translucency entirely
- Separate theming for sidebar vs main UI
Arc (before shutdown):
- Multiple sidebar modes with different visual treatments
- Users could choose compact vs expanded styles
- Different opacity levels available
Zen Browser:
- Settings → Sidebar → Style
- Options for transparent, semi-transparent, or solid backgrounds
- Respects user's preference for visual consistency
Implementation in Orion context:
This feature extends Orion's existing customization philosophy.
Currently users can customize:
- Tab behavior
- Search engines
- Privacy settings
- Extension management
Adding sidebar style choice would complete the customization offering by addressing the single most visually prominent UI element that users interact with constantly during vertical tab workflows.
Why this matters specifically for Orion:
Safari uses its sidebar minimally (bookmarks only, not persistent vertical tabs). Orion uses the sidebar as a primary navigation surface with vertical tabs displayed constantly unless hidden, and then it behaves even more broken. This means users interact with a forced broken sidebar for every tab switch, navigation action, and workflow transition—making the visual treatment significantly more impactful than Safari's occasional-use sidebar.
It's not a feature if it's riddled with bugs.
