https://bugs.kde.org/show_bug.cgi?id=520757
Bug ID: 520757
Summary: [WISH] User-defined visual file groups with
color-coded mosaic background in icon view
Classification: Applications
Product: dolphin
Version First 24.04.90
Reported In:
Platform: Other
OS: Linux
Status: REPORTED
Severity: wishlist
Priority: NOR
Component: general
Assignee: [email protected]
Reporter: [email protected]
CC: [email protected]
Target Milestone: ---
Created attachment 192689
--> https://bugs.kde.org/attachment.cgi?id=192689&action=edit
Interactive HTML mockup — open in any browser
Summary: Currently, Dolphin offers automatic grouping (by type, date, etc.) and
Baloo tags, but there is no way for users to define custom visual groups that
are displayed inline in the thumbnail mosaic view.
Proposed feature: User-defined Visual File Groups
The idea is to allow users to create named, color-coded groups within a folder.
Files are displayed in a single continuous mosaic (no visual interruptions),
but each file's tile has a tinted background matching its group color —
creating a "color puzzle" effect that visually separates groups without
breaking the flow.
Key design points:
The first tile of each group is a special "group header tile" (same size as a
file tile) showing the group name, file count, and a settings icon
Clicking the header tile opens a small popup: rename group, pick color, set
sort order, dissolve group
Files are assigned to groups by drag & drop onto the header tile, or via
right-click → "Assign to group…"
Groups and assignments are stored in the folder's .directory file or xattrs —
no files are moved on disk
All existing sort options (by name, date, size) work within each group
independently
Files with no group assigned are displayed normally with no background tint
Why this is useful: A single folder (e.g. "Baby photos 2026") can show all
photos in thumbnail view while visually organized by month — without creating
dozens of subfolders. The color background adapts its shape naturally to the
number of files in each group.
Use cases across different user profiles:
Personal finance — Expenses 2026/ with groups: Leisure, Food, Utilities,
Mortgage, Travel — mixing scanned JPG receipts and PDF invoices
Project management — Client Project/ grouping design assets, requirements docs,
meeting notes and deliverables (mockup attachments)
Home documents — House 2026/ grouping insurance, community fees, repairs —
warranties, scanned receipts and quotes in one view
Creative workflow — Album WIP/ grouping lyrics, demos, artwork and contracts in
a single folder
A visual mockup (interactive HTML) is attached to this report.
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