Passbolt 5 User Interface Redesign

Today’s release of passbolt 5.0 paves the way for new sensitive data, such as key-value pairs, along with new encrypted metadata capabilities and customizable icons in the upcoming 5.1 and 5.2 releases. These additions require the reworked interface in 5.0 with a streamlined layout that supports existing functionalities—such as improved resource filtering, bulk selection, and clearer folder navigation—but also makes room for the aforementioned new capabilities.

This blog post outlines in detail what has changed or moved in the graphical user interface and provides comparison screenshots. It also previews new features and design updates set to roll out in the Passbolt 5.x series.

Interface Overhaul For Existing Functionality

Navigation

The top bar is replaced by a compact navigation menu in the upper-right corner, next to the avatar. What was previously called the “password workspace” is now named the main workspace where you can view, manage and share resources.

Filters

In the main workspace, filters have shifted from the left sidebar to the top of the grid. The “Home” button in the left navigation functions the same as the former “All items” filter, i.e. displaying all items, with the same behavior also present in the users and groups workspaces. Currently, filters still only apply to “all items”.

Contextual Actions

Action buttons—such as share, edit, and copy—display only when one or more resources are selected. This contextual action bar can be closed to dismiss the selection, minimizing visual clutter when no actions are required.

Folders

Navigating the root folder has been clarified by displaying the full folder tree, with the root folder relabeled as “My workspace”. Previously, the folder section itself was the root, which sometimes caused confusion.

Information Panel

When enabled, the information panel remains visible so that it is easier to find and use. Activity details now occupy a dedicated tab for improved clarity. Password and secrets details have been given their own section; any encrypted description is now shown as a “note”.

Profile and Signout

The avatar icon in the top-right corner features a dropdown containing profile settings. The signout action, formerly in the top bar, has moved to this dropdown menu for consistency.

Importing Resources

Import options have been moved to the “Create” primary button dropdown, making it simpler to locate all resource creation paths in one place.

Miscellaneous

• A minimum resolution of 1280 x 768 will introduce scrolling below that threshold.
• In the main workspace information panel, the information section now appears below credentials and the shared-with sections for a more logical sequence.
• Grid columns no longer resize proportionally with the browser window; column width remains fixed.
• A “reset columns” option in the column settings restores the default view of the grid.
• Empty passwords or secrets can now be created if needed.

Newly Introduced and Upcoming Enhancements

Multiple Resource Selection

Selecting multiple items shows a summary in the right-hand panel, including permissions. This feature is useful when sharing a large set of resources, allowing the selection to be refined before completing any bulk operation.

New Filter and Beyond

There’s a new filter called “Private” that shows resources that are not shared.

A new “Private” filter reveals resources that are not shared. Filtering still applies to “all items” by default, but future plans include contextual filters (e.g., items owned within specific folders) and additional parameters such as resource type, permissions, or resource owner.

Icons in the Grid and Beyond

Default resource icons appear in both the information panel and grid (they can be hidden via the column settings). In upcoming releases, icons and background colors will become customizable, followed by support for favicons and user-uploaded icons (no ETA for the moment).

New Resource Create/Edit Dialogs

A unified dialog layout accommodates the upcoming encrypted metadata and additional resource types, treating the creation/edit phase as a mini-workspace. Secrets can be added—such as a password plus a TOTP—and the sidebar helps organize notes and metadata.

• Encrypted metadata and new sensitive data types arrive later in the 5.x series.
• For resources (password, TOTP and password with TOTP) carried over from Passbolt 4, encrypted descriptions now appear as non-searchable “notes,” whereas cleartext descriptions remain in metadata (searchable but not encrypted).

When fully supported, metadata will be encrypted and searchable, while notes will remain secret and not searchable.

Reorganising the Administration Workspace

The administration workspace is now called “Organisation settings”. Its homepage displays relevant settings in cards for quick navigation. The left panel organizes these settings by category, and any action button—like “Save” or “Edit”—is located at the bottom of the corresponding section. A back arrow in the top-left corner leads back to the main workspace from the user or administration workspace.

Further Information

Get an overview of upcoming releases in the passbolt roadmap.

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