Interface & Layouts
Vast separates the browsing engine from the surrounding browser chrome. The page renderer stays Chromium-based while the visible browser interface can be rearranged extensively.
Horizontal layout
Section titled “Horizontal layout”The default layout uses a familiar top-oriented browser chrome. Tabs, navigation, address controls, bookmarks, workspace controls, and window actions are arranged across the top.
It is the safest choice if you want Vast to feel close to a conventional browser while keeping Vast-specific tools.
Vertical layout
Section titled “Vertical layout”Vertical mode moves tab organization into a sidebar-style layout. It is better for large tab counts, named groups, pinned tabs, and users who prefer reading titles rather than squeezing many tabs into a narrow strip.
Purist layout
Section titled “Purist layout”Purist is experimental and only appears while Experimental features is enabled.
It turns the browser chrome into a floating Topbar Island over the page. The island stays compact until you interact with navigation, change tabs, load a page, or focus the address bar. It then expands and collapses again when idle.
Disabling Experimental features while Purist is active returns Vast to Horizontal automatically.
Appearance controls
Section titled “Appearance controls”Settings exposes detailed visual tuning, including:
- dark, dim, light, and system themes;
- primary and secondary accent colors;
- background and surface tints;
- graphite, midnight, aurora, violet, carbon, and frost background styles;
- corner radius;
- glass, blur, glow, border, shadow, gradient, opacity, and saturation intensity;
- compact or comfortable density;
- animations and opening animation;
- opening sound volume;
- optional force-dark behavior for websites.
These settings affect the browser interface. Website rendering remains controlled by the site and Chromium unless you explicitly enable website darkening.
Sidebar
Section titled “Sidebar”The sidebar can show local Notes, Bookmarks, History, Downloads, and Reading List. Toggle visibility using the button beside the address bar or Ctrl/Cmd+B. Unpinned, it docks beside the page. Use the pin control beside its title to keep it over the page; the pinned sidebar can be dragged and its position is saved.
You can also change its width and whether labels are shown.
Bookmarks bar
Section titled “Bookmarks bar”The bookmarks bar can be always visible, hidden, or shown only on New Tab.
Fullscreen
Section titled “Fullscreen”Press plain F11 to toggle browser fullscreen from the browser interface or website content. This browser command is separate from a website’s fullscreen permission.
Reduced effects
Section titled “Reduced effects”Vast respects reduced-motion and reduced-transparency behavior. Visual effects should degrade without removing the underlying controls.
Changes in 0.3.0
Section titled “Changes in 0.3.0”Purist’s address bar and embedded navigation buttons now respond correctly to pointer input. Use Ctrl/Cmd+L to focus the omnibar from the keyboard. Purist remains experimental.
Corner radius now controls rounded Vast-owned surfaces consistently, including menus; Settings and Notes use calmer effects and consistent Dim backgrounds. See Appearance Reference.