ChatGPT sidebar improvements: fixed project expansion (Plus) and adjustable sidebar width (all users)

ChatGPT Feature requests
, , , ,
1

I’d like to suggest two improvements to the ChatGPT interface, especially for desktop users who value productivity and organization:

  1. Allow Plus users to keep the Projects section always expanded
    Currently, the sidebar shows only a few projects and requires clicking “see more” to reveal the rest. For those working with many projects, being able to keep the Projects section fully expanded would save time and streamline workflow.

  2. Enable adjustable sidebar width for all users
    On larger screens, project or folder names are often truncated. Having the ability to manually adjust the sidebar width would greatly improve readability and overall usability.

Both of these could be added as optional settings under interface preferences, such as:

  • Toggle between expanded or auto-collapsed Projects view
  • Set a default or resizable sidebar width

This would preserve the current experience for users who prefer a compact view, while giving more flexibility to those working with complex or long-term projects.

7 Likes
2

+1 +1

very annoying, just make it drag adjustable…or at the very least a fixed setting hidden somewhere…

1 Like
3

I completely agree with this improvement, especially when there are many projects. The loading speed is quite slow and very inconvenient.

4

Here is a solve per ChatGPT that may be easier to implement and simple without the need for scrolling:
Here’s the updated draft with a user story section included so it reads like a lightweight product requirement:

Title: Add clickable label + URL for full Projects list (and Chats list)

Description:
Currently, the left-hand sidebar only shows a few recent Projects with a “See more” button that loads in small increments. There is no persistent “All Projects” view or direct URL to a complete list.

Proposed Solution:

  • Add a label above the Projects list (e.g., “Projects”) that is clickable.

  • Link it to a full-page view at /projects showing the complete list in a scrollable table/grid, with sorting and search.

  • Apply the same pattern to Chats for consistency (/chats), making it easy to view and manage the entire set without paging.

Benefits:

  • Speed: One-click access to all items without repeated “See more” clicks.

  • Clarity: Clear visual label anchors the section in the UI.

  • Consistency: Matches common design patterns where list headers double as navigation links.

  • Scalability: Scales better for users with dozens or hundreds of projects or chats.

User Story:

As a heavy ChatGPT user with many projects and chats,
I want the “Projects” and “Chats” list headers in the sidebar to be clickable and link to full-page lists,
so that I can quickly access, search, and manage my complete collection without repetitive clicks or partial loading. I asked ChatGPT and it first gave answers that were not actually features, but made sense so I had ChatGPT build this report for your team.

Priority: Medium–High (high impact on daily workflow for heavy users, low development overhead).

1 Like