As a PRO unlimited user, I have to say the new cornerstone dashboard is terrible. In the previous version, everything was all on one edge of the screen. Which meant designing was on the right and everything else on the left (tools, structure, screen size, the friggin save button!) Now, everything is spread out and it wildly disrupts workflow.
Is there are way to switch back to the old dashboard? The new dashboard appears clean looking but has TERRIBLE usability.
Hey @NickMacedo,
Thanks for reaching out!
That’s the new dashboard layout for the latest version of the theme. If you wish to use the old dashboard as user preference, you can use the old version of Pro which is 5.1.5.
Thank you.
Just popping on to concur with the assessment of the new dashboard. I didn’t realize how much I despised the new interface until I had to work on a site that had not yet been upgraded. Put the tools back on the left at a bare minimum. Changing sides doesn’t make sense and I feel discombobulated every time I have to edit something.
Things I like:
The ability to have a dark background to the tools.
The ability to have multiple tabs open at a time.
Things I don’t like:
Feeling like I have whiplash because I’m constantly turning my head to the left to look for tools that are now on the right.
The new location of the Exit (had to REALLY look for it. WHY is it different???)
Having tools that I’m used to having on the left down at the bottom. (Single page CSS, Screen preview help, etc)
I don’t need global settings in my face.
And here is the HUGE problem with sticking to the old version … ULTIMATELY, we will not have any choice as it will be obsolete. So all we can do is BEG for things to be put back where they belong.
Please at least share WHY such a radical change was necessary. I understand adding new features, but you should feel like you’ve landed on an alien planet just because the theme has been upgraded.
Hi Liana,
There are certain reasons behind the major update and change in the view of Page Builder which you are used to. Still, we are concerned about your feedback and will keep those in mind while working on the next updates.
Thanks
Hi Tristup,
I understand there are reasons behind any update; however, feel that developers should truly ask the question as to whether there are options which would better preserve consistency for the end user vs. the ease of the development. As things stand, rather than making things easier by integrating a portion of the base Wordpress environment (ability to publish, etc) within Cornerstone, things take more steps than they did before. For example, being booted back to the Wordpress dashboard on exiting is an unwelcome step. I understand the rationale because of the advantages of working with multiple posts/pages at the same time, so am endeavoring to dampen my annoyance at not exiting to the page/post I have been working on. (By the way, I have been operating with simultaneous edits by multiple browser tabs. Do I prefer the in same tab ability? Yes, so I will make the concession that the additional steps are some of the pain that must be endured for the enhanced interface. Tradeoffs happen.
The tools on the right is something I will EVENTUALLY get over, but in the meantime will continue to curse all developers on this project for. I feel like we’ve entered the land of Microsoft where things are moved just because they’ve been in the same place for a while. This is NOT a favorable comparison.
Such a large change feels like starting from scratch on something that I’ve used for several years. Not pleasant. Perhaps this can be taken into account for the next major upgrade. People are creatures of habit and when you’ve had a habit entrenched over several years, dramatic changes make you feel like the rug has been pulled from beneath you.
Having worked on several end user tools in my career, I try to keep user functionality at the fore … and sometimes that means a few extra steps on the development side.
@ikggrif I could not agree more. It’s like Microsoft changing things for no reason. I just made the same comparison in a different thread.
If it helps, I did find a dashboard setting that moved the tools to the left of the screen. The save and launch buttons and screen sizes are still right. All spread out and inconvenient. But it at least puts the tools back on the left. I’m not looking at it right now but if you can’t find it, let me know and I’ll share a screen grab.
No one seems to have favorable feedback for the update. I hope theme.co listens to their audience instead of ignoring the fact that these changes are adversely effecting a product we’ve supported for so long.
Hi Nick and Liana,
You can switch the Workspace panel from right to left.
The default setting is to have the Workspace on the right. Check out the Preferences in Cornerstone. Clicking the 
logo should display a panel on the left side where you can find the Gear icon in the bottom.
Please check out this video demo:
Best Regards.
As a Pro Unlimited user and developer of multiple sites, I love the update. Within less than an hour I found myself really appreciating the new layout and functionality. Sure, it took a bit to get used to what’s where, but that’s everyday life for those of us who develop websites. The new layout feels very intuitive and natural to me, and actually has improved my workflow significantly. I suppose the different opinions about the new layout are kind of like the different opinions about Apple vs. Android, Google vs. Microsoft, etc. We’re all wired differently and have different preferences about layout, design, look and feel, ordering of workflow, etc. So I just wanted to give voice to those of us who really like the new update… since there were a few comments from those who don’t. Thank you for making the changes. Great job!
I am a developer of multiple sites as well and my workflow has been highly disrupted by this update. Getting used to do things in a different way, as or even more effectively is great, the problem for me is that, besides moving options around seemingly without purpose, I just can’t do things the way I was doing them before, there’s no option to do it… maybe you were not using some of the features that I was using and that’s fine for you, but not for me.
We hear you everybody. In hindsight having the left side be the default position of the workspace tabs would have been less of a shock. See Runel’s comment if you are curious how to move the workspace back to the left. “CTRL+S” to save will save you tons of time as opposed to the buttons and there’s definitely more key bindings to come. Just know we are listening and certainly willing to make changes to improve usability. Have a great day.
It took me about 2 to 4 hours to understand the logic behind the new interface and workflow changes. It is remarkably better. Everyone at Themeco should give themselves a pat on the back. I am working faster than ever before with fewer clicks. It should be expected that many users will resist change. I see it in the companies I work for all the time. Training and a positive attitude toward change is the only way to conquer those demons. The reward is worth it.
I have to completely disagree with the hate on the new dashboard. I love it.
I am not a real developer like many others here but I am an unlimited user and create a lot of sites. The upgrade to 6 is wonderful. So smooth to work in this new dashboard and especially I like the way to find pages, headers, component and have them open at the same time as well as the structures of tools. There is only one thing I really miss and asked for for 5 years now. When will you do a drag and drop from one page to another or evenly drag and drop between sites?
Hi All,
Glad to know that most of you liked it. We know that a few of you are having trouble with the new structure and hopefully, you will also get accustomed to it soon.
Thanks
This is not a good answer Marc. I think we, developers and old users and supporters of Pro, should be listened to.
NickMacedo is right. The first thing I notice about the new version 6, was to try to find everything.
I have been only six days using the new version and I still does not feel secured and good as I used to feel with the version 5. It is OK to do improvements, to create something new, But, I think there should be some kind of organizing in the way to work and to look at the UI. It is not nice to be like in the dark, trying to find out where everything is now. Consistence is one important detail in designing and it should be taken in consideration also when creating an app.
it is my humble opinion.
Hey @bogarguz,
I know some of you didn’t love the update of the UI and some love it. We are listening to your concerns to improve the backend UI. Hopefully, in the future, you will get used to it.
Thank you.
i must say, it took me a few hours to understand everything. but once you get the hang of it, it’s really intuitive.
the only shortcoming for me is the element library / custom templates … there I probably still need some time.
Adding my two cents. This is my 6th year using the Theme.co products. I like the new interface a lot and think I understand the reasons for certain changes. A few highlights come to mind as I’ve been working with this upgrade.
I miss the presets. The new approach of having them as elements within the library makes sense but it means I have to rethink how best to use them. I do like being able to access the WP dashboard quicker as well as the ability to duplicate a page, post, or element quickly. I also like having multiple files open and the ability to jump back and forth between them. The save and refresh time is a bit annoying but I like it anyway. The icons that indicate loopers are helpful (they were there in the last edition but I find them super useful). I’m really digging the ability to change row layouts based on breakpoints and to turn them on and off at different screen sizes (again - it’s been there but I’m giving it a shout out). As an organization that is working hard to meet accessibility guidelines as well as mobile first thinking, this has been super useful.
Thanks for reading.
