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Feature request: add 'show layers panel by default' global setting

  • August 21, 2024
  • 7 replies
  • 87 views
Joe_Garlick

TImes I have been working in a file and want the assets panel to show: 0
Times I have been frustrated that the assets panel is showing by default as it is a library but I want to access the layers panel: 1,923,328

OK OK, that is an exaggeration, but since I find the Assets panel confusing, poorly designed and not very useful, I never use it. I am always either copy/pasting components, or using things like ‘insert’. I NEVER want to see the Assets panel and I am constantly being annoyed I have to manually switch to the assets panel, many times a day.

I find it weird it defaults to that as well, cos when I am in a library I am working on the assets, not needing to pull them into the canvas. I also turn all my files that consume design system libraries into libraries themselves, cos I often make entire artboards into components so they can be duplicated elsewhere in the file and automatically update with changes to them, or place them into other files.

Antero

7 replies

Gleb
  • Gleb
  • Power Member
  • August 22, 2024

I also never use it and never had this issue. Try clearing your app cache or reinstalling it. I didn’t even know it could open assets as default.

Joe_Garlick
  • Joe_Garlick
  • Author
  • Active Member
  • September 5, 2024

Is the file you are working with a library? Cos it doesn’t do that unless you publish the file you are working on. I assume Figma decided this as they assumed a library needs that panel open by default? Which is a narrow minded view of how I use them.

Gleb
  • Gleb
  • Power Member
  • September 5, 2024

Not a library. It seems like it’s more about the way it remembers the previous state is buggy.

Joe_Garlick
  • Joe_Garlick
  • Author
  • Active Member
  • September 12, 2024

I’ve cleared the cache, maybe that will fix it, thanks for the tip!

Often when I have restarted the app, or opened the file it would default to the assets panel for a library, I haven’t tested out if it always happens, just noticed it quite a lot. I’ve noticed it for years over multiple version upgrades/installs. Hopefully your tip fixes it! I didn’t know that feature existed.

Joe_Garlick
  • Joe_Garlick
  • Author
  • Active Member
  • September 12, 2024

Hmm, still showing the Assets panel all the time, despite me not once ever selecting it. Similar issue: Layers panel of the left sidebar should open at default

Antero
  • Antero
  • New Participant
  • November 21, 2025

Hello, same here. Did you manage to fix this?

Steve Jon
  • Steve Jon
  • New Member
  • November 21, 2025

That’s a smart suggestion — having a global setting to show the Layers panel by default would save a ton of time, especially for people who constantly work with complex designs no found with that Party bus. It would prevent having to manually enable it every time, improving workflow consistency. For teams collaborating on large projects, this change could reduce confusion and streamline handoffs. Overall, it’s a small tweak that could make a big impact on productivity.

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