user interface page

_quarto.yml

@@ -54,19 +54,25 @@ website:
         - start.qmd
         - download.qmd
         - extensions.qmd
+        - updating.qmd
         - about.qmd
+        - privacy.qmd
 
     - title: "Guides"
       style: "docked"
       contents:
         - add-to-path.qmd
+        - section: "User Interface"
+          contents:
+            - layout.qmd
+            - command-palette.qmd
+            - action-bars.qmd
         - section: "Interpreters"
           contents:
             - managing-interpreters.qmd
             - interpreter-startup.qmd
             - python-installations.qmd
             - r-installations.qmd
-        - action-bars.qmd
         - keyboard-shortcuts.qmd
         - data-explorer.qmd
         - assistant.qmd
@@ -75,7 +81,6 @@ website:
         - run-interactive-apps.qmd
         - jupyter-notebooks.qmd
         - remote-ssh.qmd
-        - updating.qmd
         - extension-development.qmd
         - folder-templates.qmd
         - text: "Migrating from VS Code"
@@ -92,7 +97,6 @@ website:
         - troubleshooting.qmd
         - feedback.qmd
         - faqs.qmd
-        - privacy.qmd
 
 format:
   html:

command-palette.qmd

@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+---
+title: "Command Palette"
+---
+
+Positron inherits the Command Palette from VS Code. The Command Palette is a fast and powerful way to interact with Positron without taking your hands off the keyboard. Think of it as a search bar for functionality. Rather than navigating menus, you can quickly find and run commands from a single interface.
+
+For additional documentation on the Command Palette, see the [VS Code Command Palette documentation](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/getstarted/userinterface#_command-palette).
+
+### Command access and execution
+
+The Command Palette provides access to all Positron commands. You can execute any command without using menus or remembering keyboard shortcuts.
+
+To open the Command Palette, press {{< kbd mac=Command-Shift-P win=Ctrl-Shift-P linux=Ctrl-Shift-P >}}. Start typing a keyword or the name of a command. The Command Palette shows a list of matching actions. Use the arrow keys to select a command, then press {{< kbd Enter >}} to run it.
+
+For example, you can:
+
+- type "interpreter" to view interpreter session management commands.
+- type "git" to view version control commands.
+
+### File access and navigation
+
+The Command Palette makes it easy to open files without using the file explorer. This is especially useful in large projects with many files.
+
+Press {{< kbd mac=Command-P win=Ctrl-P linux=Ctrl-P >}} to open the file picker. Start typing part of a file name to see matching files. Use the arrow keys to select a file, then press {{< kbd Enter >}} to open the selected file.
+
+You can also use:
+
+| Key | Action |
+| --- | ------ |
+| {{< kbd \> >}} | Switch to command mode |
+| {{< kbd @ >}}  | Search for symbols in the current file |
+| {{< kbd # >}}  | Search for symbols across the workspace |
+| {{< kbd : >}} followed by a line number | Jump to that line |
+
+### Tips for effective use
+
+- **Use partial matches:** You do not need to type the full command or file name. The Command Palette uses fuzzy matching to find what you need.
+- **Learn common prefixes:** Commands are grouped by category (for example, "View:" for layout commands, "Git:" for version control).
+- **Browse available commands:** Open the Command Palette and scroll through the list to discover new functionality.
+- **Use recent commands:** The Command Palette shows recently used commands first, making it faster to repeat common tasks.

layout.qmd

@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+---
+title: "Layout"
+---
+
+The Positron interface provides a flexible environment for data science that can be tailored to your needs. You can organize tools and outputs into distinct, customizable panes. This lets you tailor your workspace to your workflows in Python, R, and other languages.
+
+## Basic overview
+
+This section outlines the core layout elements of the Positron interface. Each section plays a distinct role in writing code, running code, and understanding your results, giving you full control over your data science environment.
+
+![Interface of the Positron IDE showing Activity Bar, Primary Side Bar, Editor, Panel, and Secondary Side Bar](images/user-interface-for-rstudio-migration.jpeg)
+
+- The **Activity Bar** provides quick access to switch between core views such as Explorer, Search, [Source Control](git.qmd), and [Extensions](extensions.qmd).
+- The **Primary Side Bar** is on the left by default and shows you different views depending on what you have chosen in the Activity Bar. When you choose the Explorer icon, this pane provides the file explorer to navigate your project directory and the outline. When you choose the Assistant icon, this pane provides access to [Positron Assistant](assistant.qmd)
+- The **Editor** is in the center by default, and is where you write your code. For editor controls, refer to [VS Code Editor Basics](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/editing/codebasics).
+- The **Panel** is below the editor by default and contains the fully interactive, integrated Console as well as the [Terminal](https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/terminal/basics) You can also access logs from [Output](troubleshooting.qmd#output-panel) channels in the Panel.
+- The **Secondary Side Bar** is on the right by default. You can switch between the Session pane (where you can explore the variables you have defined and the plots you have created), the [Connections](connections-pane.qmd) pane, the [Help](help-pane.qmd) pane, and the Viewer pane.
+
+The **Title Bar** at the very top of the window shows the active file and project, along with window controls. Below it, the **Top Bar** provides global project tools such as file search, the project switcher, and the [interpreter selector](managing-interpreters.qmd#active-interpreter-session) with the ability to start, stop, and switch interpreters. The **Status Bar** at the botton of the window displays details such as your git branch, language mode, and cursor position.
+
+## Layout customization
+
+Positron offers flexible layout options to suit a variety of development workflows. Almost every component can be rearranged by dragging; for example, try moving the Help pane into the Session pane. You can also toggle most of these components in and out of view using commands such as _View: Toggle Primary Side Bar Visibility_, _View: Toggle Status Bar Visibility_, and others.
+
+
+### Layout presets
+
+Positron provides layout presets specifically designed for data science work:
+
+- **Stacked** (default): Editor above with Console and Terminal below, and the Variables and Plots panes to the right. Designed for interactive workflows with regular scripts or literate programming documents such as Quarto.
+- **Side-by-side**: Useful for wide-screen users or those who prefer their editor and console next to each other.
+- **Notebook**: Emphasizes the editor workspace for full focus on a Jupyter Notebook or source file, minimizing other panes.  
+
+Use the command _Customize Layout..._ for more specific layout choices. You can also reset the whole UI back to defaults by clicking on the {{<fa rotate-left >}} icon at the top right of the layout quickpick.