Feature Request: Option to Hide Tabs When Not in Use #2803

[FormalSnake]

Feature Request

I would like to request a new feature that allows users to hide tabs when they are not actively being used or interacted with.

Description

Currently, tabs in Ghostty are always visible when enabled. While this is useful for many users, some prefer a cleaner interface with less visual clutter. An option to automatically hide tabs when they're not being used would be beneficial for these users.

Proposed Functionality

• Add a new configuration option, perhaps called hide-inactive-tabs or auto-hide-tabs
• When enabled, this option would cause the tab bar to be hidden by default
• The tab bar would appear when:
  • A tab is open
• The tab bar should be hidden (not an empty space like it is now)

Use Cases

1. Users who prefer a minimalist interface
2. Users who primarily use keyboard shortcuts for navigation and rarely need to see the tab bar
3. Users who want to maximize screen space for terminal content

Possible Implementation

This could potentially be implemented as an extension of the existing gtk-tabs-location option, or as a separate boolean configuration.

Additional Considerations

• The hiding/showing animation should be smooth to avoid jarring transitions
• There should be a keyboard shortcut to toggle the tab bar visibility manually
• The feature should respect the user's choice of tab location (top, bottom, etc.)

Thank you for considering this feature request. Let me know if you need any additional information or clarification.
As an example, iTerm2 implements this exact feature.