Improve keyboard navigation in the "Pick a folder" dialog

[uNyanda]

• Date: 2026-07-24
• Type: Enhancement
• Priority: Low

Problem

The Pick a folder dialog currently relies on the arrow keys to navigate search results.

Although the list can be filtered by typing, the first matching result is not selected automatically. As a result, users must press an arrow key before they can confirm the selection with Enter.

Proposed Improvement

1. Support Ctrl+J and Ctrl+K

Allow Ctrl+J and Ctrl+K to move the selection down and up within the folder list, providing a more keyboard-friendly experience that is consistent with other parts of the application.

2. Automatically select the first matching result

When filtering the folder list by typing, automatically select the first matching result. This would allow users to type a folder name and press Enter immediately without first reaching for the arrow keys.

Example

Current workflow

1. Open the Pick a folder dialog.
2. Type part of a folder name.
3. Press ↓ or ↑ to select the first matching result.
4. Press Enter.

Proposed workflow - Searching

1. Open the Pick a folder dialog.
2. Type part of a folder name.
3. Press Enter.

Proposed workflow - Navigation

1. Open the Pick a folder dialog.
2. Use Ctrl+J / Ctrl+K to navigate between reslts, which is particularly useful when multiple folders share the same name.
3. Press Enter.

Why this would help

• Reduces unnecessary key presses during folder selection.
• Improves the efficiency of keyboard-only workflows.
• Makes the dialog feel more consistent with other keyboard-navigable interfaces.
• Provides a better experience for users who prefer Vim-style navigation.

Current workaround

Use the arrow keys to select a search result before pressing Enter.

Additional context

This affects any workflow that uses the Pick a folder dialog, including Move File and New Note from Template. Improving the dialog itself would benefit every feature that relies on it.

[adibhanna]

Done — both improvements are in.

1. Ctrl+J / Ctrl+K navigation. The folder picker now moves the selection down/up with Ctrl+J / Ctrl+K (and Ctrl+N / Ctrl+P, and the arrows). It reuses the same navigation helper the command palette uses, so it's consistent across the app.

2. Auto-select the first matching result. As you type a filter, the first match is preselected, so you can type part of a folder name and press Enter immediately — no arrow key first. The proposed "type → Enter" workflow now works as described.

Creating a brand-new folder path still works: pressing ArrowUp / Ctrl+K from the top reselects your typed text, so Enter submits exactly what you typed. This applies to every dialog built on the picker — Move Note, New Note, and New Note from Template.

Verified in the running app: typing "Work" highlights inbox/Work, Ctrl+J → inbox/Work/Research, Ctrl+K back up, and Ctrl+K again returns to the typed value. Unit tests added.

Thanks for the detailed writeup — the current/proposed workflow breakdown made this easy to scope. Ships in v2.17.0.