Summary
Replace the current icon-only active tool indicator in the annotation toolbar with a distinct Tool Info panel that is visually separated from the main tool/action buttons and shows the current tool or selected annotation type together with relevant properties such as color, thickness, font, effect strength, and dimensions.
Problem
- The current leading icon in the second toolbar row reads like a button even though it is informational.
- The phrase "Active Tool" is misleading when Select mode is active but a rectangle, text box, or other annotation is selected.
- Important context is split across picker controls and tooltips, so it is hard to quickly read what the current tool or selection is configured to do.
- The current placement makes status/context compete visually with editing actions.
Proposal
- Replace the icon-only indicator with a non-clickable Tool Info panel.
- Visually separate that panel from the main toolbar buttons.
- Show only the metadata relevant to the current tool or selected annotation.
- Include live width/height or bounds readouts while drawing and when an annotation is selected.
- Keep the main toolbar focused on tool selection and actions.
Suggested scope
- Tool icon + title
- Stroke/fill/text color summaries when relevant
- Thickness, corner radius, font size, or effect strength when relevant
- Text style state when relevant
- Dimensions/bounds when drawing or selecting annotations
- Compact Select state when nothing is selected
Non-goals
- No command or history changes
- No rendering or persistence redesign
- No removal of existing picker controls in the first iteration
Notes
I also drafted a local IEIP in the XerahS repo for the same idea:
docs/proposals/ieip/IEIP0002-replace-active-tool-indicator-with-tool-info-panel.md
Summary
Replace the current icon-only active tool indicator in the annotation toolbar with a distinct Tool Info panel that is visually separated from the main tool/action buttons and shows the current tool or selected annotation type together with relevant properties such as color, thickness, font, effect strength, and dimensions.
Problem
Proposal
Suggested scope
Non-goals
Notes
I also drafted a local IEIP in the XerahS repo for the same idea:
docs/proposals/ieip/IEIP0002-replace-active-tool-indicator-with-tool-info-panel.md