Sidebar Browser (Electron) v2.0

Fast, always-on-top, right-edge sidebar browser for any website.

What Changed

This project was migrated from a Python/Tkinter + pywebview sidebar into a pure Electron app.

Migration Summary

• Replaced the old Python entrypoint with main.js (Electron runtime).
• Removed Clinimetrix-specific behavior (custom banner injection, credential capture, and site-specific login logic).
• Made the app generic for any URL, with default:
  • https://www.kshitizsuwal.com
• Added a persistent right-edge pull-tab button that slides the sidebar in/out.
• Added right-click menu on the pull-tab for behavior mode switching.
• Added Auto (Hover Screen Edge) mode:
  • opens when cursor touches the right edge
  • closes after cursor leaves sidebar/handle area
• Added persisted app state:
  • sidebar width
  • sidebar visibility
  • selected behavior mode
• Added keyboard shortcuts for toggle and hard reload.
• Added performance-oriented Chromium/Electron flags for responsiveness.

Current Features

• Always-on-top sidebar window.
• Edge pull-tab that stays visible when sidebar is hidden.
• Slide-in/slide-out animation.
• Behavior modes:
  • Manual (Click Button)
  • Auto (Hover Screen Edge)
• URL configuration via url.ini, CLI, or environment variable.
• Single-instance lock.
• Auto fallback to default URL when load fails.

Requirements

• Node.js 20+
• npm

Install

npm install

Run

npm start

Controls

• Left-click pull-tab: toggle sidebar.
• Right-click pull-tab: open behavior menu.
• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + \: toggle sidebar.
• Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + R: hard reload current page.

Website Configuration

1) url.ini (default project config)

[webview]
start_url = https://www.kshitizsuwal.com

2) CLI override (one run)

npm start -- --url=https://example.com

3) Environment override

START_URL=https://example.com npm start

Priority order is:

START_URL env -> --url= -> url.ini -> internal default URL

Project Files

• main.js - Electron app logic, sidebar animation, pull-tab, behavior modes.
• url.ini - configurable start URL.
• package.json - scripts and dependencies.
• package-lock.json - pinned dependency graph.