https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=517709
Bug ID: 517709
Summary: [Feature Request] Allow customization of indentation
spacing in Folders panel tree view
Classification: Applications
Product: dolphin
Version First 25.12.3
Reported In:
Platform: CachyOS
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: wishlist
Priority: NOR
Component: panels: folders
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Target Milestone: ---
## Summary
Users navigating deep folder trees in Dolphin's Folders panel experience
unnecessary horizontal scrolling because the indentation per tree level is
fixed at a relatively large value (~24px) and cannot be customized.
## Problem
When using the Folders panel (sidebar) to navigate nested directory structures:
- Each tree level adds significant horizontal indentation
- After 4-5 levels, the tree extends beyond the panel width
- A horizontal scrollbar appears, forcing users to scroll sideways to see
folder names
- This disrupts workflow, especially for users migrating from Windows Explorer
where indentation is more compact (~16px) and fixed
## Expected behavior
- Provide a setting in Dolphin preferences to customize the indentation value
(in pixels) for the Folders panel QTreeView
- OR: Use a more compact default indentation that accommodates deeper trees
without horizontal scrolling
- OR: Add an option for "fixed indentation" (same value for all levels) vs
"progressive indentation"
## Technical context
- Dolphin uses Qt's QTreeView for the Folders panel
- Qt supports `QTreeView::setIndentation(int)` in C++, but Dolphin does not
expose this to users
- This property is NOT adjustable via QSS or Kvantum themes (verified against
Qt 6.10 documentation)
## Use case
As a user coming from Windows Explorer, I rely on the sidebar tree for deep
navigation. The current indentation makes it impractical to navigate beyond 3-4
levels without horizontal scrolling, which breaks the efficiency of the tree
view paradigm.
## Steps to reproduce
1. Open Dolphin
2. Enable Folders panel (F7)
3. Navigate to a directory with 5+ nested levels (e.g.,
~/projects/app/src/module/utils/helpers)
4. Observe: folder names at deep levels require horizontal scrolling to be
fully visible
## Environment
- Dolphin: 25.12.3
- Plasma: 6.6.2
- Qt: 6.10.2
- Frameworks: 6.24.0
- Distribution: CachyOS (Arch-based)
## Additional context
This request is specifically for the Folders panel sidebar, NOT the Details
view tree (which has separate settings).
## Appreciation note
I want to express my genuine appreciation for the KDE community's work. Dolphin
and Plasma are impressive pieces of software—powerful, flexible, and
beautifully designed. As a newcomer to Linux, discovering KDE has been a
highlight of my transition. This feature request comes from a place of wanting
to make an already excellent tool even better for users with similar workflows.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
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