Visual Update: Workspace Tabs and the Explorer Sidebar

From "Viewer" to "Workspace"

As SQLitePilot evolves, it’s becoming clear that managing a remote database isn't a linear task. You’re often jumping between checking a table schema, writing a complex query, and verifying recent history. Doing this in a single-view interface meant constant re-loading and lost context.

We’ve overhauled the layout to turn SQLitePilot into a true multi-tabbed workspace.

The Explorer Sidebar

We moved the global navigation to a sticky top bar to reclaim horizontal screen real estate. This allowed us to introduce a dedicated Explorer Sidebar on the left.

From the Explorer, you can now:

• Switch connections instantly without leaving your current page.
• Browse database objects (tables) for the active connection.
• Quickly access the SQL editor and query history.

Smart Object Tabs: Replace-vs-Pin

The heart of this update is the new tab system. We wanted to avoid "tab clutter" while ensuring you never accidentally lose a half-written query. We implemented a Smart Replace-vs-Pin rule:

• Auto-Replace: If your active tab is "clean" (no search terms, no unsaved SQL), clicking a new table in the explorer will replace the current tab.
• Auto-Pin: If you’ve started a search or a SQL draft, the app automatically pins that tab and opens the new object in a separate one.

This ensures your workspace stays organized without requiring manual "New Tab" management.

Pro Workflow

To make this feel like a native engineering tool, we’ve added several desktop and mobile optimizations:

• Mobile-First Switcher: On smaller screens, the horizontal tab strip is replaced by a compact dropdown, making it easier to manage multiple open tables without horizontal scrolling.
• Sticky Sidebar: The explorer remains fixed while you scroll through long result sets, so you never lose your navigation context.

These changes move SQLitePilot closer to the IDE-like experience that professional developers expect when working with remote infrastructure.