Action panel
actions.action_panel
Instead of burying a large set of related commands in menus, present them on a richly organized panel that stays visible.
Description
When a product has a large set of related commands, burying them in cascading menus slows discovery and forces people to hunt. An action panel keeps that set on a richly organized surface that stays in view while they work, so related tools stay findable without opening menus. Use it for dense tool suites; skip it when only a handful of actions belong in a compact button group or chrome.
When to use
Many related commands would otherwise hide in menus.
Not when
A few actions fit a button group or single toolbar.
Agent hint
Surface the related command set on a visible organized panel, not buried menus.
A large related command set is on a visible, organized panel.
That set exists only buried in menus, with no staying-visible panel.
Citations
Designing Interfaces 3e ch. Doing Things — Action Panel (Tidwell, Brewer, Valencia)
https://www.oreilly.com/library/view/designing-interfaces-3rd/9781492051954/