[subplot-grid-custom] Custom Subplot Grid Layout

[MarkusNeusinger]

A flexible subplot grid allowing multiple different plot types arranged in a custom grid layout. Supports varied subplot sizes and spans across rows/columns for complex dashboard-style visualizations.

[claude]

⚠️ Similar Spec Exists

This request is similar to an existing spec:

Existing Spec: subplot-grid
Directory: plots/subplot-grid/

Key Difference: The new request specifically emphasizes cells that span multiple rows/columns (colspan/rowspan functionality) for complex dashboard layouts with varied subplot sizes. The existing subplot-grid covers uniform grids with configurable dimensions.

Decision: Creating new spec subplot-grid-custom for non-uniform grid layouts with cell spanning. This is a distinct use case from regular uniform grids.

✅ Spec ID: subplot-grid-custom

Rationale: Extends subplot-grid with custom cell spanning (colspan/rowspan) for complex dashboard-style layouts with varied subplot sizes.

[github-actions]

✅ Specification Ready: subplot-grid-custom

PR: #2867

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specification.md

subplot-grid-custom: Custom Subplot Grid Layout

Description

A flexible subplot grid allowing multiple different plot types arranged in a custom grid layout with non-uniform cell sizes. Unlike regular subplot grids with uniform cells, this layout supports cells that span multiple rows and/or columns, enabling complex dashboard-style visualizations where some plots require more visual real estate than others.

Applications

• Executive dashboards with a large overview chart and smaller detail panels
• Scientific publications combining a main visualization with supporting annotations
• Financial reports with a primary price chart spanning multiple columns alongside volume and indicator panels
• Data exploration layouts with a large scatter matrix and smaller summary statistics plots

Data

• x (numeric or categorical) - Primary variable for each subplot
• y (numeric) - Secondary variable for each subplot
• z (numeric, optional) - Tertiary variable for 3D or color-mapped subplots
• Size: Varies per subplot, typically 20-500 points per cell
• Example: Dashboard with main time series (spanning 2 columns), volume bar chart, and returns histogram

Notes

• Support GridSpec-style layouts with colspan and rowspan parameters
• Allow cells to span multiple rows (e.g., a tall sidebar plot)
• Allow cells to span multiple columns (e.g., a wide header plot)
• Maintain consistent spacing and alignment despite varied cell sizes
• Clear visual hierarchy with larger plots for primary data and smaller for supporting views
• Example grid pattern: one 2x2 cell for main plot, four 1x1 cells for detail views

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Next: Add approved label to merge this specification to main.

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