Thunderbird - add ability to manually sort (order) folders in folder pane

[Itagaki]

Thunderbird can move folders to different hierarchies using drag and drop. However, it is not possible to move them within the same hierarchy, i.e. reorder them.

The "Manually sort folders" add-on had helped to sort folders, but with Thunderbird 115 (Supernova), it is no longer available. It is time to make it a proper feature.

I was involved in the development of the add-on to make it Thunderbird 78 compatible and later as a collaborator. So, as an option, I have considered developing another add-on for Thunderbird 115. This may not be impossible. (John is providing a POC.) But I would like to consider implementing the ability to sort folders properly in Thunderbird.

My current thinking and the work required has been described here.

1846550 - add ability to manually sort (order) folders in folder pane (mozilla.org)

[Kurash-Rex]

@Itagaki thanks for your work on the add-on, it removed an annoying lapse in Thunderbirds feature set.

I added a folder today and my annoyance at the lack of this feature reared up again, it's hard to imagine that a feature that seems so simply on the surface has been left out of Thunderbird for over 20 years.

[M_W-T]

Can I add to the clamour for this to be implemented please.

I have just swapped computer and forgot to make the new accounts in order .... arrggh ..... then found Maually Sort Folders had gone!!!!

[mf89t5]

isnt it possible to rearrange folders? im shocked.

[KWolf]

Coming in on this again. I spend so much time scrolling across alphabetical folders and trying to devise project names that will arrange in my preferred order. Really!!!???

[Hunker]

@mf89t5 I'm happy to hear that you are shocked.. By this.. In this time and age.. Very well done.. I like it!

[cstacy]

If this feature does not appear in Thunderbird (or as an add-on) very soon, I will switch away from TB on all my computers. I've been using TB on Windows, MacOS, and Linux since it was first created. This is the last straw. This feature is simply essential.

[ElviraKate]

This was apparently in development last year but absolutely nothing has happened. Can we have an update, please?

[wsmwk]

As I indicated in January with updated status and comment, this is in development.  itagagaki has code ready, but that work has been blocked on a problem with folder caching which required involvement of a senior developer whose focus tends to be on tasks far more critical than this.

Last week a patch was submitted by that developer, and yesterday reviewed by another (as required).  So unless there are hickups I expect this feature will be available in beta for testing within a month.

This involves a very large code change, so it cannot happen in version 115. The ETA is version 128 this summer. 

We will announce when it becomes available in beta.

[Itagaki]

wsmwk, thanks for the good news!

It's been a while since I made the patch available, so it may need some additional work, but I'm excited to get started.

[mf89t5]

@cstacy 

Use eM Client. Its better.

[JLondon]

This is way overdue.  I won't update to 115 as this feature is essential for me!!!

[CLNP]

Major upvote.

[lsallen]

I am really mystified as to why this was not a feature in the very first version.  What is it that you are doing with new versions that you think is more basic and important than this?  Do you use your product?

[PScully]

I totally agree. It is a rel nuisance no longer being able to put folders where I want them - usually with the most important at the top. Why is this feature no longer available?

[damufo]

I'm still on Thundebird 1.02.15 waiting for this to be fixed.
Thanks for working on it.