Add a “Minified Notes Mode” for reduced visual footprint (similar to Google Docs' “Minimize comments”) #73417
Description
What problem does this address?
The floating Notes view can take up a noticeable amount of horizontal space when multiple threads are active. To provide a cleaner editing environment, it could be useful to offer a minified Notes mode, similar to Google Docs’ View → Comments → Minimize comments, where Notes collapse into compact indicators. This mode would preserve awareness that feedback exists while making the editor feel less cluttered.
Single Note
Two Notes
Multiple Notes
Suggestion (related to potential work in #73411)
What is your proposed solution?
Minified Notes Mode should collapse each floating Note thread into a compact indicator, ideally showing participant avatars (or initials or some such concise representation for those engaged in the Notes thread). When hovering over an indicator, users should see a preview of the associated thread so they can quickly assess the context without fully opening it. Clicking the indicator should open the full expanded Notes experience, either in-place or via a clearly defined overlay. This mode should not affect the full Notes panel in the sidebar, which continues to serve as the complete archive and management view.
The minimized indicators should remain accessible, keyboard navigable, and visually distinct enough to communicate that Notes are present. The UI should scale gracefully when many threads exist in close proximity. This mode could be optional and toggled from editor settings, a View menu, or another appropriate control.
Open questions:
- Where should the toggle for minified mode live (View menu, editor settings, toolbar)?
- How many avatars or initials should appear before folding into a “+N” indicator?
- How should the hover preview be structured (tooltip, floating card, partial thread view)?
- Should the expanded experience open inline or in a temporary overlay?
- Should minified mode persist across sessions or be per-post/per-user?