NateDhaliwal raised feedback on the new topic controls design on Meta, criticizing the small size of the topic timeline and suggesting that single-option dropdowns (like Flag) should be direct buttons. chapoi acknowledged the feedback and confirmed fixes were implemented for both issues via commits by zogstrip and zogstrip. Despite updates, NateDhaliwal noted the timeline still appeared unchanged and suggested resizing the notification controls to match other modals for consistency. chapoi shared updated screenshots showing the timeline is now larger, though not as large as before, and asked if tapping was an issue — NateDhaliwal clarified it was more about visual inconsistency. He also questioned the redesign’s rationale, to which chapoi explained the goal is cleaner, more structured UI by reducing varied button styles. NateDhaliwal argued that text labels helped new users understand functions without guessing, especially the bookmark button, which lacks common labeling elsewhere. chapoi countered that common icons like reply, bookmark, and share are intuitive and unlabelled in posts without issue, suggesting the tracking dropdown is the only potentially confusing element — and that real user feedback, not speculation, should guide further changes. NateDhaliwal reiterated that the bookmark icon especially benefits from labeling for clarity.
I have noticed a new design of the topic controls and topic timeline here on Meta.
I would like to voice some feedback, namely:
I’m sorry to say this but the topic timeline just looks ridiculous. It’s wayyy too tiny and my eyes have to drift very far to see the current reply number. The topic controls also need to be labelled, I feel. It can confuse new users about what they all do.
Hi,
Its a very new redesign so we’re still tweaking it. Both your points are already on my list to look at.
Thanks
That is now fixed by
https://github.com/discourse/discourse/commit/1791abab25487c75fe2a3fb457f7ad9632ae9ca7
That is now fixed by
https://github.com/discourse/discourse/commit/ee567165f17193978010e537b3180cd3f268956e
Hmm… the topic timeline still looks the same.
If I may add another suggestion, could the notification controls for the topic be the same size as the dropdowns/modals from the other buttons? It currently seems too large.
Nope, definitely bigger again
Just not as big as it was before.
Are you actually having trouble tapping it?
I see.
The topic notification controls? No, but I feel the size is inconsistent, since I’m used to the old design and the fact that the other modals or dropdowns from the other buttons aren’t as big.
If you don’t mind me asking, why are the topic controls being changed? Just curious.
Thanks.
Were trying to be a bit more consistent and “clean”. Before, we had buttons with text, with icon, with both, wasted space, and lots of various sizes and spacing between elements.
So were trying to have a more structured approach to it, which admittedly needs some trial and error sometimes.
(Just my opinion) I think the labels and text made it easier for new users to know what those buttons do. Now it seems like new users have to click on them to find out.
Understood, thanks!
Which buttons do you think theyll struggle with? Reply, bookmark, and share are very common icons and are also not labelled in the regular posts and have never caused an issue.
Only the tracking dropdown might spark an initial “huh?” which is reasonably easy learned after opening it once.
In general, I hear you, but Id like to wait and see what actual new users report, if anything, instead of going on speculation. Maybe we underestimate them 
I think the bookmark button. Not many places have a text label that says ‘Bookmark’. At least when new users see that, they’ll be like, ‘Ah, that’s the bookmark button!’.
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