Is there a way to add the links for Unread, New and Latest in the sidebar? Those are very handy links that are easy to access in the non-sidebar layout but it makes it difficult to access that once the sidebar is enabled (one need to go to All categories and then access it from the top bar).I would like to give users the flexibility to seeing the latest topics, unread topics and topics via the sidebar possibly under the Community tab (along with Everything and My Posts)
AI-generated summary
Users are discussing how to add custom global sections—specifically links to Unread, New, and Latest—to the Discourse sidebar for easier access. RBoy notes these links become harder to reach once the sidebar is enabled and suggests placing them under the Community tab. twofoursixeight confirms users can currently add these links via the + button at the bottom of the sidebar, referencing a meta thread and sharing a screenshot of their implementation. RBoy asks if admins can set these links globally for all users. twofoursixeight initially says this feature is coming soon, quoting a meta post indicating global sections will be available for site staff. However, nathank clarifies the feature is already available but marked as experimental, accessible via a flag in site settings, and includes a screenshot. RBoy asks if it will be in the next release, and JammyDodger confirms it’s already in the tests-passed branch and will be included in the upcoming 3.1 Stable release. RBoy seeks confirmation whether it’s 3.0.5 or 3.1, and JammyDodger reaffirms it’s 3.1. Finally, RBoy notes the custom sidebar sections setting no longer exists in the admin menu and directs users to the meta thread for instructions on managing sections directly in the sidebar.
Yes, you can do that with the + button at the bottom of the sidebar.
For more info:Custom sidebar sections being tested on meta
I have implemented my example of this:
It looks like each user can customize this for their needs, is there way as an Admin where I can put those links for All users by default (or is that still in the works per the comment in the last line)?
Yes, this plugin allows you to create a global section visible to all members of a forum!
This feature is coming soon. Please wait for them to implement that feature.
Do you know if it’ll be included in the next release
It’s available now as part of the tests-passed branch, and will be part of stable at the next release window. 
Thanks. Just to confirm would that be the 3.0.5 release or 3.1 release?
It’ll be part of the upcoming 3.1 Stable release.
Just for reference, custom sidebar sections option in the settings menu doesn’t exist anymore. It’s done directly on the sidebar as explained here