Improving Automation Visibility in the GUI Builder

As someone who spends a lot of time creating and tweaking automations, I’ve noticed that the current GUI builder could use some improvements to enhance visibility and usability. Here’s my take on the situation and some suggestions I hope the community can discuss. The Issue with Option Overload When configuring services like light.turn_on, the sheer number of options (brightness, color, transition, etc.) can be overwhelming. Scrolling through 10+ options just to set a few parameters is time-consuming and disrupts my workflow. I often find myself losing track of where I am in the configuration process, especially when dealing with complex automations. Floating Labels for Better Orientation Another challenge is staying oriented within the builder, especially when working on large automations. For instance, when configuring actions for different buttons on an Inovelli switch with 13 scene buttons, I frequently have to scroll back up to ensure I’m in the correct scope. A floating label that stays visible while scrolling could help maintain focus and reduce unnecessary back-and-forth. Why This Matters While I appreciate the built-in automation debugger, these visibility issues are a significant hurdle. They often lead me to consider alternative tools like Node-Red, which, despite its learning curve, offers a more intuitive flow-based interface. However, I’d prefer to stick with the native debugger if these UI issues can be addressed. Proposed Solutions - Collapsible Option Lists: Allow users to hide or collapse sections of options they’re not currently using. This would make the interface cleaner and easier to navigate. - Persistent Scope Indicators: Implement floating labels or indicators that stay visible as you scroll, ensuring you always know which part of the automation you’re editing. - Scoped Search Functionality: Add a search bar within the builder to quickly jump to specific sections or actions without scrolling. Community Feedback I’d love to hear others’ experiences and suggestions. Have you encountered similar issues? What features would you like to see in the GUI builder to improve your automation workflow? Let’s brainstorm together to make this tool even better for everyone! Thanks for reading, and I look forward to the discussion!