Add new workspace button to the dock

[danirabbit]

Problem

Creating a new workspace requires a few different movements currently:

1. go to multitasking view
2. switch to a new workspace
3. exit multitasking view

Proposal

Add a new workspace button directly to the dock so you can really quickly switch to a new clean workspace

Prior Art (Optional)

https://mastodon.online/@danirabbit/110869040685206007
https://github.com/orgs/elementary/discussions/337

[teamcons]

I love the idea of workspace feature in the dock. Im annoyed by the "Giant Plus" here , because this one is consistent with the Plus in multitasking,
but also it shares the same space as app icons, so it looks like "add app icons"

A few thoughts:
In the era of no desktop, if an user switches to a new workspace, it is to launch an app.
I would assume, most of the time from the dock, but not always

Then, why not make the action a "2 in 1", and allow launching an app immediately in a new clean workspace ?
launch app-> here or new workspace we switch to
vs switch workspace, launch app

A few ideas:
-Entry in Right click menu OR combo key + click -> "Start app in new workspace"
-Drag: A popup above open with three boxes, allowing to choose between "remove from dock", "start here", "start app in new workspace". Drop onto one

[danirabbit]

Alternatively we could open the applications menu automatically when you switch to a new empty workspace. That way no matter how you got there were preempting the app launching desire

[teamcons]

Alternatively we could open the applications menu automatically when you switch to a new empty workspace. That way no matter how you got there were preempting the app launching desire

What if im moving to the last desktop (always empty) along with an open window, instead of clicking the "+" ? For example because i want it in its own workspace
Would this be annoying ? The intent is not to open an app, but to get a workspace for an already open one

[patx]

Not sure how I feel about this. For me when I want to open a new work space I tend to swipe three fingers or use Super+Left. This seems very quick to me, so I don't think I would ever use a plus button on the dock. I think the Multitasking view should retain the dock in screen. So if you want to launch a specific app in a new workspace you could click multitasking icon then in the multitasking view drag and drop the your program from the dock into a new workspace. Or as always just swipe and open your app.

[danirabbit]

@patx yeah I think we want to get to the point where the Dock takes over the functionality that is currently provided by a different switcher UI in multitasking view, so in order to do that we have to add those features here first :)

[patx]

@patx yeah I think we want to get to the point where the Dock takes over the functionality that is currently provided by a different switcher UI in multitasking view, so in order to do that we have to add those features here first :)

Got it, makes sense to me, I think this is a good idea.

[teamcons]

@patx yeah I think we want to get to the point where the Dock takes over the functionality that is currently provided by a different switcher UI in multitasking view, so in order to do that we have to add those features here first :)

yeah tbh the only way the "+" workspace button makes sense to me is if theres also the other workspaces in the dock, like the art above. So if the "+" is a first step before other buttons gets added, as part of an effort to easier desktop switching im in.