feat: Add Discord-like project switcher sidebar with icon support

- Add project icon field to ProjectRef and Project types
- Create vertical project switcher sidebar component
  - Project icons with hover tooltips
  - Active project highlighting
  - Plus button to create new projects
  - Right-click context menu for edit/delete
- Add IconPicker component with 35+ Lucide icons
- Add EditProjectDialog for inline project editing
- Update settings appearance section with project details editor
- Add setProjectIcon and setProjectName actions to app store
- Integrate ProjectSwitcher in root layout (shows on app pages only)

Implements #469

Co-authored-by: Web Dev Cody <webdevcody@users.noreply.github.com>

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/components/edit-project-dialog.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import {
+  Dialog,
+  DialogContent,
+  DialogHeader,
+  DialogTitle,
+  DialogFooter,
+} from '@/components/ui/dialog';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
+import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
+import type { Project } from '@/lib/electron';
+import { IconPicker } from './icon-picker';
+
+interface EditProjectDialogProps {
+  project: Project;
+  open: boolean;
+  onOpenChange: (open: boolean) => void;
+}
+
+export function EditProjectDialog({ project, open, onOpenChange }: EditProjectDialogProps) {
+  const { setProjectName, setProjectIcon } = useAppStore();
+  const [name, setName] = useState(project.name);
+  const [icon, setIcon] = useState<string | null>(project.icon || null);
+
+  const handleSave = () => {
+    if (name.trim() !== project.name) {
+      setProjectName(project.id, name.trim());
+    }
+    if (icon !== project.icon) {
+      setProjectIcon(project.id, icon);
+    }
+    onOpenChange(false);
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <Dialog open={open} onOpenChange={onOpenChange}>
+      <DialogContent className="sm:max-w-md">
+        <DialogHeader>
+          <DialogTitle>Edit Project</DialogTitle>
+        </DialogHeader>
+
+        <div className="space-y-4 py-4">
+          {/* Project Name */}
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Label htmlFor="project-name">Project Name</Label>
+            <Input
+              id="project-name"
+              value={name}
+              onChange={(e) => setName(e.target.value)}
+              placeholder="Enter project name"
+            />
+          </div>
+
+          {/* Icon Picker */}
+          <div className="space-y-2">
+            <Label>Project Icon</Label>
+            <IconPicker selectedIcon={icon} onSelectIcon={setIcon} />
+          </div>
+        </div>
+
+        <DialogFooter>
+          <Button variant="outline" onClick={() => onOpenChange(false)}>
+            Cancel
+          </Button>
+          <Button onClick={handleSave} disabled={!name.trim()}>
+            Save Changes
+          </Button>
+        </DialogFooter>
+      </DialogContent>
+    </Dialog>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/components/icon-picker.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { X, Search } from 'lucide-react';
+import * as LucideIcons from 'lucide-react';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { ScrollArea } from '@/components/ui/scroll-area';
+
+interface IconPickerProps {
+  selectedIcon: string | null;
+  onSelectIcon: (icon: string | null) => void;
+}
+
+// Popular project-related icons
+const POPULAR_ICONS = [
+  'Folder',
+  'FolderOpen',
+  'FolderCode',
+  'FolderGit',
+  'FolderKanban',
+  'Package',
+  'Box',
+  'Boxes',
+  'Code',
+  'Code2',
+  'Braces',
+  'FileCode',
+  'Terminal',
+  'Globe',
+  'Server',
+  'Database',
+  'Layout',
+  'Layers',
+  'Blocks',
+  'Component',
+  'Puzzle',
+  'Cog',
+  'Wrench',
+  'Hammer',
+  'Zap',
+  'Rocket',
+  'Sparkles',
+  'Star',
+  'Heart',
+  'Shield',
+  'Lock',
+  'Key',
+  'Cpu',
+  'CircuitBoard',
+  'Workflow',
+];
+
+export function IconPicker({ selectedIcon, onSelectIcon }: IconPickerProps) {
+  const [search, setSearch] = useState('');
+
+  const filteredIcons = POPULAR_ICONS.filter((icon) =>
+    icon.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase())
+  );
+
+  const getIconComponent = (iconName: string) => {
+    return (LucideIcons as Record<string, React.ComponentType<{ className?: string }>>)[iconName];
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <div className="space-y-3">
+      {/* Search */}
+      <div className="relative">
+        <Search className="absolute left-3 top-1/2 -translate-y-1/2 w-4 h-4 text-muted-foreground" />
+        <Input
+          value={search}
+          onChange={(e) => setSearch(e.target.value)}
+          placeholder="Search icons..."
+          className="pl-9"
+        />
+      </div>
+
+      {/* Selected Icon Display */}
+      {selectedIcon && (
+        <div className="flex items-center gap-2 p-2 rounded-md bg-accent/50 border border-border">
+          <div className="flex items-center gap-2 flex-1">
+            {(() => {
+              const IconComponent = getIconComponent(selectedIcon);
+              return IconComponent ? (
+                <IconComponent className="w-5 h-5 text-brand-500" />
+              ) : null;
+            })()}
+            <span className="text-sm font-medium">{selectedIcon}</span>
+          </div>
+          <button
+            onClick={() => onSelectIcon(null)}
+            className="p-1 hover:bg-background rounded transition-colors"
+            title="Clear icon"
+          >
+            <X className="w-4 h-4" />
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      )}
+
+      {/* Icons Grid */}
+      <ScrollArea className="h-64 rounded-md border">
+        <div className="grid grid-cols-6 gap-1 p-2">
+          {filteredIcons.map((iconName) => {
+            const IconComponent = getIconComponent(iconName);
+            if (!IconComponent) return null;
+
+            const isSelected = selectedIcon === iconName;
+
+            return (
+              <button
+                key={iconName}
+                onClick={() => onSelectIcon(iconName)}
+                className={cn(
+                  'aspect-square rounded-md flex items-center justify-center',
+                  'transition-all duration-150',
+                  'hover:bg-accent hover:scale-110',
+                  isSelected
+                    ? 'bg-brand-500/20 border-2 border-brand-500'
+                    : 'border border-transparent'
+                )}
+                title={iconName}
+              >
+                <IconComponent
+                  className={cn('w-5 h-5', isSelected ? 'text-brand-500' : 'text-foreground')}
+                />
+              </button>
+            );
+          })}
+        </div>
+      </ScrollArea>
+    </div>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/components/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+export { ProjectSwitcherItem } from './project-switcher-item';
+export { ProjectContextMenu } from './project-context-menu';
+export { EditProjectDialog } from './edit-project-dialog';
+export { IconPicker } from './icon-picker';

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/components/project-context-menu.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,110 @@
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { Edit2, Trash2, ImageIcon } from 'lucide-react';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
+import type { Project } from '@/lib/electron';
+import { EditProjectDialog } from './edit-project-dialog';
+
+interface ProjectContextMenuProps {
+  project: Project;
+  position: { x: number; y: number };
+  onClose: () => void;
+}
+
+export function ProjectContextMenu({ project, position, onClose }: ProjectContextMenuProps) {
+  const menuRef = useRef<HTMLDivElement>(null);
+  const { moveProjectToTrash } = useAppStore();
+  const [showEditDialog, setShowEditDialog] = useState(false);
+
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const handleClickOutside = (event: MouseEvent) => {
+      if (menuRef.current && !menuRef.current.contains(event.target as Node)) {
+        onClose();
+      }
+    };
+
+    const handleEscape = (event: KeyboardEvent) => {
+      if (event.key === 'Escape') {
+        onClose();
+      }
+    };
+
+    document.addEventListener('mousedown', handleClickOutside);
+    document.addEventListener('keydown', handleEscape);
+
+    return () => {
+      document.removeEventListener('mousedown', handleClickOutside);
+      document.removeEventListener('keydown', handleEscape);
+    };
+  }, [onClose]);
+
+  const handleEdit = () => {
+    setShowEditDialog(true);
+    onClose();
+  };
+
+  const handleRemove = () => {
+    if (confirm(`Move "${project.name}" to trash?`)) {
+      moveProjectToTrash(project.id);
+    }
+    onClose();
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <div
+        ref={menuRef}
+        className={cn(
+          'fixed z-[100] min-w-48 rounded-lg',
+          'bg-popover text-popover-foreground',
+          'border border-border shadow-lg',
+          'animate-in fade-in zoom-in-95 duration-100'
+        )}
+        style={{
+          top: position.y,
+          left: position.x,
+        }}
+        data-testid="project-context-menu"
+      >
+        <div className="p-1">
+          <button
+            onClick={handleEdit}
+            className={cn(
+              'w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-md',
+              'text-sm font-medium text-left',
+              'hover:bg-accent transition-colors',
+              'focus:outline-none focus:bg-accent'
+            )}
+            data-testid="edit-project-button"
+          >
+            <Edit2 className="w-4 h-4" />
+            <span>Edit Name & Icon</span>
+          </button>
+
+          <button
+            onClick={handleRemove}
+            className={cn(
+              'w-full flex items-center gap-2 px-3 py-2 rounded-md',
+              'text-sm font-medium text-left',
+              'text-destructive hover:bg-destructive/10',
+              'transition-colors',
+              'focus:outline-none focus:bg-destructive/10'
+            )}
+            data-testid="remove-project-button"
+          >
+            <Trash2 className="w-4 h-4" />
+            <span>Move to Trash</span>
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </div>
+
+      {showEditDialog && (
+        <EditProjectDialog
+          project={project}
+          open={showEditDialog}
+          onOpenChange={setShowEditDialog}
+        />
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/components/project-switcher-item.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,78 @@
+import { Folder, LucideIcon } from 'lucide-react';
+import * as LucideIcons from 'lucide-react';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import type { Project } from '@/lib/electron';
+
+interface ProjectSwitcherItemProps {
+  project: Project;
+  isActive: boolean;
+  onClick: () => void;
+  onContextMenu: (event: React.MouseEvent) => void;
+}
+
+export function ProjectSwitcherItem({
+  project,
+  isActive,
+  onClick,
+  onContextMenu,
+}: ProjectSwitcherItemProps) {
+  // Get the icon component from lucide-react
+  const getIconComponent = (): LucideIcon => {
+    if (project.icon && project.icon in LucideIcons) {
+      return (LucideIcons as Record<string, LucideIcon>)[project.icon];
+    }
+    return Folder;
+  };
+
+  const IconComponent = getIconComponent();
+
+  return (
+    <button
+      onClick={onClick}
+      onContextMenu={onContextMenu}
+      className={cn(
+        'group w-full aspect-square rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center relative overflow-hidden',
+        'transition-all duration-200 ease-out',
+        isActive
+          ? [
+              // Active: Premium gradient with glow
+              'bg-gradient-to-r from-brand-500/20 via-brand-500/15 to-brand-600/10',
+              'border border-brand-500/30',
+              'shadow-md shadow-brand-500/10',
+            ]
+          : [
+              // Inactive: Subtle hover state
+              'hover:bg-accent/50',
+              'border border-transparent hover:border-border/40',
+              'hover:shadow-sm',
+            ],
+        'hover:scale-105 active:scale-95'
+      )}
+      title={project.name}
+      data-testid={`project-switcher-${project.id}`}
+    >
+      <IconComponent
+        className={cn(
+          'w-6 h-6 transition-all duration-200',
+          isActive
+            ? 'text-brand-500 drop-shadow-sm'
+            : 'text-muted-foreground group-hover:text-brand-400 group-hover:scale-110'
+        )}
+      />
+
+      {/* Tooltip on hover */}
+      <span
+        className={cn(
+          'absolute left-full ml-3 px-2.5 py-1.5 rounded-lg',
+          'bg-popover text-popover-foreground text-xs font-medium',
+          'border border-border shadow-lg',
+          'opacity-0 group-hover:opacity-100',
+          'transition-all duration-200 whitespace-nowrap z-50',
+          'translate-x-1 group-hover:translate-x-0 pointer-events-none'
+        )}
+      >
+        {project.name}
+      </span>
+    </button>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/index.ts

@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+export { ProjectSwitcher } from './project-switcher';

apps/ui/src/components/layout/project-switcher/project-switcher.tsx

@@ -0,0 +1,94 @@
+import { useState } from 'react';
+import { Plus } from 'lucide-react';
+import { useNavigate } from '@tanstack/react-router';
+import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
+import { ProjectSwitcherItem } from './components/project-switcher-item';
+import { ProjectContextMenu } from './components/project-context-menu';
+import type { Project } from '@/lib/electron';
+
+export function ProjectSwitcher() {
+  const navigate = useNavigate();
+  const { projects, currentProject, setCurrentProject } = useAppStore();
+  const [contextMenuProject, setContextMenuProject] = useState<Project | null>(null);
+  const [contextMenuPosition, setContextMenuPosition] = useState<{ x: number; y: number } | null>(
+    null
+  );
+
+  const handleContextMenu = (project: Project, event: React.MouseEvent) => {
+    event.preventDefault();
+    setContextMenuProject(project);
+    setContextMenuPosition({ x: event.clientX, y: event.clientY });
+  };
+
+  const handleCloseContextMenu = () => {
+    setContextMenuProject(null);
+    setContextMenuPosition(null);
+  };
+
+  const handleProjectClick = (project: Project) => {
+    setCurrentProject(project);
+    // Navigate to board view when switching projects
+    navigate({ to: '/board' });
+  };
+
+  const handleNewProject = () => {
+    // Navigate to dashboard where users can create new projects
+    navigate({ to: '/dashboard' });
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <aside
+        className={cn(
+          'flex-shrink-0 flex flex-col w-16 z-50 relative',
+          // Glass morphism background with gradient
+          'bg-gradient-to-b from-sidebar/95 via-sidebar/85 to-sidebar/90 backdrop-blur-2xl',
+          // Premium border with subtle glow
+          'border-r border-border/60 shadow-[1px_0_20px_-5px_rgba(0,0,0,0.1)]'
+        )}
+        data-testid="project-switcher"
+      >
+        {/* Projects List */}
+        <div className="flex-1 overflow-y-auto py-3 px-2 space-y-2">
+          {projects.map((project) => (
+            <ProjectSwitcherItem
+              key={project.id}
+              project={project}
+              isActive={currentProject?.id === project.id}
+              onClick={() => handleProjectClick(project)}
+              onContextMenu={(e) => handleContextMenu(project, e)}
+            />
+          ))}
+        </div>
+
+        {/* Add Project Button */}
+        <div className="p-2 border-t border-border/40">
+          <button
+            onClick={handleNewProject}
+            className={cn(
+              'w-full aspect-square rounded-xl flex items-center justify-center',
+              'transition-all duration-200 ease-out',
+              'text-muted-foreground hover:text-foreground',
+              'hover:bg-accent/50 border border-transparent hover:border-border/40',
+              'hover:shadow-sm hover:scale-105 active:scale-95'
+            )}
+            title="New Project"
+            data-testid="new-project-button"
+          >
+            <Plus className="w-5 h-5" />
+          </button>
+        </div>
+      </aside>
+
+      {/* Context Menu */}
+      {contextMenuProject && contextMenuPosition && (
+        <ProjectContextMenu
+          project={contextMenuProject}
+          position={contextMenuPosition}
+          onClose={handleCloseContextMenu}
+        />
+      )}
+    </>
+  );
+}

apps/ui/src/components/views/settings-view/appearance/appearance-section.tsx

@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 import { useState } from 'react';
 import { Label } from '@/components/ui/label';
-import { Palette, Moon, Sun } from 'lucide-react';
+import { Input } from '@/components/ui/input';
+import { Button } from '@/components/ui/button';
+import { Palette, Moon, Sun, Edit2 } from 'lucide-react';
 import { darkThemes, lightThemes } from '@/config/theme-options';
 import { cn } from '@/lib/utils';
+import { useAppStore } from '@/store/app-store';
+import { IconPicker } from '@/components/layout/project-switcher/components/icon-picker';
 import type { Theme, Project } from '../shared/types';
 
 interface AppearanceSectionProps {
@@ -16,10 +20,33 @@ export function AppearanceSection({
   currentProject,
   onThemeChange,
 }: AppearanceSectionProps) {
+  const { setProjectIcon, setProjectName } = useAppStore();
   const [activeTab, setActiveTab] = useState<'dark' | 'light'>('dark');
+  const [editingProject, setEditingProject] = useState(false);
+  const [projectName, setProjectNameLocal] = useState(currentProject?.name || '');
+  const [projectIcon, setProjectIconLocal] = useState<string | null>(
+    (currentProject as any)?.icon || null
+  );
 
   const themesToShow = activeTab === 'dark' ? darkThemes : lightThemes;
 
+  const handleSaveProjectDetails = () => {
+    if (!currentProject) return;
+    if (projectName.trim() !== currentProject.name) {
+      setProjectName(currentProject.id, projectName.trim());
+    }
+    if (projectIcon !== (currentProject as any)?.icon) {
+      setProjectIcon(currentProject.id, projectIcon);
+    }
+    setEditingProject(false);
+  };
+
+  const handleCancelEdit = () => {
+    setProjectNameLocal(currentProject?.name || '');
+    setProjectIconLocal((currentProject as any)?.icon || null);
+    setEditingProject(false);
+  };
+
   return (
     <div
       className={cn(
@@ -40,7 +67,68 @@ export function AppearanceSection({
           Customize the look and feel of your application.
         </p>
       </div>
-      <div className="p-6 space-y-4">
+      <div className="p-6 space-y-6">
+        {/* Project Details Section */}
+        {currentProject && (
+          <div className="space-y-4 pb-6 border-b border-border/50">
+            <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
+              <Label className="text-foreground font-medium">Project Details</Label>
+              {!editingProject && (
+                <Button
+                  variant="ghost"
+                  size="sm"
+                  onClick={() => setEditingProject(true)}
+                  className="h-8"
+                >
+                  <Edit2 className="w-3.5 h-3.5 mr-1.5" />
+                  Edit
+                </Button>
+              )}
+            </div>
+
+            {editingProject ? (
+              <div className="space-y-4">
+                <div className="space-y-2">
+                  <Label htmlFor="project-name-settings">Project Name</Label>
+                  <Input
+                    id="project-name-settings"
+                    value={projectName}
+                    onChange={(e) => setProjectNameLocal(e.target.value)}
+                    placeholder="Enter project name"
+                  />
+                </div>
+
+                <div className="space-y-2">
+                  <Label>Project Icon</Label>
+                  <IconPicker
+                    selectedIcon={projectIcon}
+                    onSelectIcon={setProjectIconLocal}
+                  />
+                </div>
+
+                <div className="flex gap-2 justify-end">
+                  <Button variant="outline" size="sm" onClick={handleCancelEdit}>
+                    Cancel
+                  </Button>
+                  <Button size="sm" onClick={handleSaveProjectDetails} disabled={!projectName.trim()}>
+                    Save Changes
+                  </Button>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            ) : (
+              <div className="space-y-3">
+                <div className="flex items-center gap-3 p-3 rounded-lg bg-accent/30 border border-border/50">
+                  <div className="text-sm">
+                    <div className="font-medium text-foreground">{currentProject.name}</div>
+                    <div className="text-muted-foreground text-xs mt-0.5">{currentProject.path}</div>
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              </div>
+            )}
+          </div>
+        )}
+
+        {/* Theme Section */}
         <div className="space-y-4">
           <div className="flex items-center justify-between">
             <Label className="text-foreground font-medium">

apps/ui/src/lib/electron.ts

@@ -3104,6 +3104,7 @@ export interface Project {
   lastOpened?: string;
   theme?: string; // Per-project theme override (uses ThemeMode from app-store)
   isFavorite?: boolean; // Pin project to top of dashboard
+  icon?: string; // Lucide icon name for project identification
 }
 
 export interface TrashedProject extends Project {

apps/ui/src/routes/__root.tsx

@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ import { createRootRoute, Outlet, useLocation, useNavigate } from '@tanstack/rea
 import { useEffect, useState, useCallback, useDeferredValue, useRef } from 'react';
 import { createLogger } from '@automaker/utils/logger';
 import { Sidebar } from '@/components/layout/sidebar';
+import { ProjectSwitcher } from '@/components/layout/project-switcher';
 import {
   FileBrowserProvider,
   useFileBrowser,
@@ -803,6 +804,10 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
     );
   }
 
+  // Show project switcher on all app pages (not on dashboard, setup, or login)
+  const showProjectSwitcher =
+    !isDashboardRoute && !isSetupRoute && !isLoginRoute && !isLoggedOutRoute;
+
   return (
     <>
       <main className="flex h-screen overflow-hidden" data-testid="app-container">
@@ -813,6 +818,7 @@ function RootLayoutContent() {
             aria-hidden="true"
           />
         )}
+        {showProjectSwitcher && <ProjectSwitcher />}
         <Sidebar />
         {/* Mobile menu toggle button - only shows when sidebar is closed on mobile */}
         {!sidebarOpen && (

apps/ui/src/store/app-store.ts

@@ -873,6 +873,8 @@ export interface AppActions {
   cycleNextProject: () => void; // Cycle forward through project history (E)
   clearProjectHistory: () => void; // Clear history, keeping only current project
   toggleProjectFavorite: (projectId: string) => void; // Toggle project favorite status
+  setProjectIcon: (projectId: string, icon: string | null) => void; // Set project icon (null to clear)
+  setProjectName: (projectId: string, name: string) => void; // Update project name
 
   // View actions
   setCurrentView: (view: ViewMode) => void;
@@ -1560,6 +1562,38 @@ export const useAppStore = create<AppState & AppActions>()((set, get) => ({
     }
   },
 
+  setProjectIcon: (projectId, icon) => {
+    const { projects, currentProject } = get();
+    const updatedProjects = projects.map((p) =>
+      p.id === projectId ? { ...p, icon: icon === null ? undefined : icon } : p
+    );
+    set({ projects: updatedProjects });
+    // Also update currentProject if it matches
+    if (currentProject?.id === projectId) {
+      set({
+        currentProject: {
+          ...currentProject,
+          icon: icon === null ? undefined : icon,
+        },
+      });
+    }
+  },
+
+  setProjectName: (projectId, name) => {
+    const { projects, currentProject } = get();
+    const updatedProjects = projects.map((p) => (p.id === projectId ? { ...p, name } : p));
+    set({ projects: updatedProjects });
+    // Also update currentProject if it matches
+    if (currentProject?.id === projectId) {
+      set({
+        currentProject: {
+          ...currentProject,
+          name,
+        },
+      });
+    }
+  },
+
   // View actions
   setCurrentView: (view) => set({ currentView: view }),
   toggleSidebar: () => set({ sidebarOpen: !get().sidebarOpen }),

libs/types/src/settings.ts

@@ -293,6 +293,8 @@ export interface ProjectRef {
   theme?: string;
   /** Whether project is pinned to favorites on dashboard */
   isFavorite?: boolean;
+  /** Lucide icon name for project identification */
+  icon?: string;
 }
 
 /**