Filepicker improvements

See MD file in filepicker module folder.

Author: rmusser01

Filepicker-Improvements.md

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+# Filepicker Module Analysis and Improvement Recommendations
+
+## Executive Summary
+
+This document analyzes the filepicker implementation in tldw_chatbook and provides actionable recommendations for improvements. The analysis covers the current dual-implementation architecture (third-party `textual_fspicker` and custom `file_picker_dialog.py` wrapper), identifies pain points, and suggests both easy wins and more comprehensive improvements.
+
+## Current Architecture Overview
+
+### 1. Third-Party Component (`textual_fspicker`)
+- **Location**: `tldw_chatbook/Third_Party/textual_fspicker/`
+- **Components**:
+  - `FileOpen`: File opening dialog
+  - `FileSave`: File saving dialog
+  - `DirectoryNavigation`: Core navigation widget
+  - `DriveNavigation`: Windows drive selection
+  - `Filters`: File type filtering system
+
+### 2. Custom Wrapper (`file_picker_dialog.py`)
+- **Location**: `tldw_chatbook/Widgets/file_picker_dialog.py`
+- **Purpose**: Evaluation-specific file picker dialogs
+- **Classes**:
+  - `EvalFilePickerDialog`: Base modal dialog
+  - `TaskFilePickerDialog`: Task file selection
+  - `DatasetFilePickerDialog`: Dataset file selection
+  - `ExportFilePickerDialog`: Result export
+  - `QuickPickerWidget`: Inline file selection
+
+## Identified Issues and Improvements
+
+### 🏆 Easy Wins (Low effort, high impact)
+
+#### 1. **Add Keyboard Shortcuts**
+**Issue**: No keyboard shortcuts for common actions
+**Solution**: Add bindings for:
+```python
+BINDINGS = [
+    Binding("ctrl+h", "toggle_hidden", "Toggle hidden files"),
+    Binding("ctrl+l", "focus_path_input", "Edit path directly"),
+    Binding("ctrl+d", "bookmark_current", "Bookmark directory"),
+    Binding("f5", "refresh", "Refresh directory"),
+    Binding("tab", "toggle_focus", "Switch focus"),
+]
+```
+**Effort**: 2-3 hours
+**Impact**: Significant UX improvement
+
+#### 2. **Recent Files/Directories List**
+**Issue**: Users must navigate from scratch each time
+**Solution**: Add a recent locations dropdown
+```python
+class RecentLocations:
+    def __init__(self, max_items: int = 10):
+        self.recent: List[Path] = []
+        self.load_from_config()
+    
+    def add(self, path: Path):
+        if path in self.recent:
+            self.recent.remove(path)
+        self.recent.insert(0, path)
+        self.recent = self.recent[:self.max_items]
+        self.save_to_config()
+```
+**Effort**: 3-4 hours
+**Impact**: Major time-saver for users
+
+#### 3. **Improve Path Display**
+**Issue**: Current path display can be unclear/truncated
+**Solution**: Add breadcrumb navigation
+```python
+class PathBreadcrumbs(Horizontal):
+    """Clickable breadcrumb path navigation"""
+    def render_path(self, path: Path):
+        parts = path.parts
+        for i, part in enumerate(parts):
+            partial_path = Path(*parts[:i+1])
+            yield Button(part, classes="breadcrumb-button")
+            if i < len(parts) - 1:
+                yield Label("/", classes="breadcrumb-separator")
+```
+**Effort**: 4-5 hours
+**Impact**: Better navigation clarity
+
+#### 4. **File Preview Panel**
+**Issue**: No way to preview file contents
+**Solution**: Add optional preview pane for text/image files
+```python
+class FilePreview(Container):
+    def update_preview(self, file_path: Path):
+        if file_path.suffix in ['.txt', '.json', '.yaml', '.md']:
+            self.show_text_preview(file_path)
+        elif file_path.suffix in ['.png', '.jpg', '.webp']:
+            self.show_image_preview(file_path)
+```
+**Effort**: 4-5 hours
+**Impact**: Reduces wrong file selections
+
+#### 5. **Search Within Directory**
+**Issue**: No search functionality for large directories
+**Solution**: Add search input with real-time filtering
+```python
+@on(Input.Changed, "#search-input")
+def filter_entries(self, event: Input.Changed):
+    search_term = event.value.lower()
+    for entry in self.directory_entries:
+        entry.visible = search_term in entry.name.lower()
+```
+**Effort**: 2-3 hours
+**Impact**: Much faster file finding
+
+### 🔨 Medium Improvements (Moderate effort, good impact)
+
+#### 6. **Multi-file Selection**
+**Issue**: Can only select one file at a time
+**Solution**: Add checkbox mode for batch operations
+```python
+class MultiSelectFileOpen(FileOpen):
+    selected_files: reactive[Set[Path]] = reactive(set())
+    
+    def toggle_selection(self, path: Path):
+        if path in self.selected_files:
+            self.selected_files.discard(path)
+        else:
+            self.selected_files.add(path)
+```
+**Effort**: 8-10 hours
+**Impact**: Enables batch processing workflows
+
+#### 7. **Bookmarks/Favorites System**
+**Issue**: No way to save frequently used locations
+**Solution**: Add persistent bookmarks sidebar
+```python
+class BookmarksPanel(Container):
+    def compose(self) -> ComposeResult:
+        yield ListView(id="bookmarks-list")
+        yield Button("+ Add Current", id="add-bookmark")
+    
+    def load_bookmarks(self) -> List[Bookmark]:
+        return self.app.config.get("filepicker.bookmarks", [])
+```
+**Effort**: 6-8 hours
+**Impact**: Significant workflow improvement
+
+#### 8. **Performance: Lazy Loading**
+**Issue**: Large directories load slowly
+**Solution**: Implement virtual scrolling with batch loading
+```python
+class LazyDirectoryNavigation(DirectoryNavigation):
+    BATCH_SIZE = 100
+    
+    async def load_entries_batch(self, start: int, end: int):
+        # Load only visible entries + buffer
+        entries = self.all_entries[start:end]
+        await self.update_display(entries)
+```
+**Effort**: 10-12 hours
+**Impact**: Much better performance for large dirs
+
+### 🚀 Major Improvements (Higher effort, transformative impact)
+
+#### 9. **Unified Filepicker Architecture**
+**Issue**: Dual implementation creates maintenance burden
+**Solution**: Create single, extensible filepicker system
+```python
+class UnifiedFilePicker:
+    """Single filepicker with plugin system for different contexts"""
+    def register_filter_preset(self, name: str, filters: Filters):
+        self.filter_presets[name] = filters
+    
+    def register_validator(self, name: str, validator: Callable):
+        self.validators[name] = validator
+```
+**Effort**: 20-30 hours
+**Impact**: Cleaner codebase, easier to extend
+
+#### 10. **Drag and Drop Support**
+**Issue**: No modern drag/drop functionality
+**Solution**: Implement drop zones for file selection
+```python
+class DropZoneFilePicker(FilePicker):
+    def on_drop(self, event: DropEvent):
+        for file_path in event.files:
+            self.add_selected_file(file_path)
+```
+**Effort**: 15-20 hours
+**Impact**: Modern UX expected by users
+
+## Implementation Priority Matrix
+
+### Phase 1: Quick Wins (1-2 weeks)
+1. ✅ Keyboard shortcuts
+2. ✅ Recent files list
+3. ✅ Search within directory
+4. ✅ Improve path display
+
+### Phase 2: Enhanced UX (2-3 weeks)
+5. ✅ File preview panel
+6. ✅ Bookmarks system
+7. ✅ Basic multi-selection
+
+### Phase 3: Performance & Architecture (4-6 weeks)
+8. ✅ Lazy loading implementation
+9. ✅ Unified architecture refactor
+10. ✅ Drag and drop support
+
+## Code Quality Improvements
+
+### Type Hints Enhancement
+```python
+# Before
+def handle_file_selected(self, event):
+    self.selected_file = str(event.path)
+
+# After
+def handle_file_selected(self, event: FileOpen.FileSelected) -> None:
+    self.selected_file: str = str(event.path)
+```
+
+### Error Handling Improvements
+```python
+# Add specific exception types
+class FilePickerError(Exception):
+    """Base exception for filepicker errors"""
+
+class InvalidPathError(FilePickerError):
+    """Raised when path is invalid or inaccessible"""
+
+class FilterError(FilePickerError):
+    """Raised when file filter pattern is invalid"""
+```
+
+### Consistent Event System
+```python
+# Define standard events
+class FilePickerEvents:
+    class FileSelected(Message):
+        path: Path
+        
+    class DirectoryChanged(Message):
+        path: Path
+        
+    class FilterChanged(Message):
+        filter: Filter
+```
+
+## Testing Recommendations
+
+1. **Unit Tests**: Test each component in isolation
+2. **Integration Tests**: Test dialog workflows
+3. **Performance Tests**: Benchmark large directory handling
+4. **Accessibility Tests**: Ensure keyboard navigation works
+
+## Migration Strategy
+
+1. **Backward Compatibility**: Keep existing APIs working
+2. **Feature Flags**: Roll out new features gradually
+3. **Documentation**: Update examples and guides
+4. **Deprecation Path**: Clear timeline for old API removal
+
+## Conclusion
+
+The filepicker module has significant room for improvement. Starting with the easy wins will provide immediate user benefits while building toward a more comprehensive overhaul. The recommended phased approach balances quick improvements with long-term architectural benefits.
+
+### Next Steps
+1. Review and prioritize recommendations with team
+2. Create detailed implementation tickets
+3. Begin with Phase 1 easy wins
+4. Gather user feedback after each phase
+5. Iterate based on real-world usage patterns