[Feature Request]: Make Search Bar Active by Default on Application Start

[misterhackerman]

Guidelines

• I have searched the issue tracker for open and closed issues that are similar to the feature request I want to file, without success.
• I have searched the documentation for information that matches the description of the feature request I want to file, without success.
• This issue contains only one feature request.

Problem Description

When I start the application, the search bar (address bar) is not active by default. This requires additional steps to activate the search bar before I can start typing. This behavior adds unnecessary friction to the workflow, especially for users who often begin their interaction by entering a search or URL.

Proposed Solution

Make the search bar (address bar) active by default when the application starts. This would allow users to immediately start typing without needing to manually activate the search bar.

Alternatives Considered

• A keyboard shortcut to activate the search bar upon launch. However, this still requires an extra step and does not fully address the usability issue.
• A setting to enable or disable this behavior, allowing users to customize it. This might be a good compromise if some users prefer the current functionality.

Issue Labels

ease of use improvement

Additional Information

If possible, this feature could be implemented in a way that does not interfere with users who navigate the application via mouse or other methods.

Thank you for considering this feature request!

[absidue]

FreeTube already has various keyboard shortcuts for focusing the search bar: Alt + D and Ctrl or Command + L so it is already easy to focus the search bar quickly. As auto-focusing would likely be annoying for many people, I don't think it worth is adding and considering that all it would do is save you a single keyboard shortcut I don't think it is worth an extra setting either.