Side Nav Bar

The Side Nav customization page lets you create pinned shortcuts for collections, series, content types, platforms, publishers, saved searches, curated guide lists, and magazine runs.

Use this when you want a custom button in the left sidebar that jumps directly to a meaningful subset of your library.

GuideVault Side Nav customization settings — Side Nav shortcuts let you define custom sidebar entries based on labels, match values, scope, match mode, sorting, and icons.

Shortcut settings

Label

The name displayed in the left sidebar. Use a short, obvious name such as Zelda Collection, Prima, Silent Hill, or Nintendo Power.

Shortcut Type

Defines what kind of match GuideVault should perform. Examples include series/publication-style matching, platform-style matching, or other saved library views.

Match Value

The text GuideVault uses to find matching items. This can be a series name, publisher, publication name, platform, or other searchable value.

Result Scope

Limits where the shortcut searches. Use all content for broad collections, or narrow it to manuals, strategy guides, or magazines when the shortcut should be specific.

Match Mode

Controls how strict the match should be. A contains match is more forgiving; stricter matching is better when short names could accidentally match unrelated items.

Sort Results

Controls how the results appear after opening the shortcut. You can use the current library sort or define a more predictable order.

List Icon

Controls the icon shown next to the sidebar shortcut. Pick something that visually separates custom collections from default library sections.

Custom Icon

An optional override when the built-in icon choices are not specific enough.

Example: Silent Hill display

A Silent Hill shortcut is useful when you want one sidebar item that groups related manuals and strategy guides for the series.

GuideVault Silent Hill sidebar shortcut example — A Silent Hill shortcut can surface strategy guides and related content for the series.

Suggested setup:

Label: Silent Hill
Shortcut Type: Series / Publication
Match Value: Silent Hill
Result Scope: Strategy Guides or All Content
Match Mode: Contains match

Example: Prima strategy guide display

A Prima shortcut is useful when you want to browse guides from a publisher or imprint.

GuideVault Prima sidebar shortcut example — A Prima shortcut can group strategy guides by publisher/imprint.

Suggested setup:

Label: Prima
Shortcut Type: Series / Publication or Publisher-style match
Match Value: Prima
Result Scope: Strategy Guides
Match Mode: Contains match

Example: Zelda Collection display

A Zelda shortcut is useful when you want all Zelda-related manuals and guides in one place.

GuideVault Zelda Collection sidebar shortcut example — A Zelda Collection shortcut can show manuals, guides, and related content across several systems.

Suggested setup:

Label: Zelda Collection
Shortcut Type: Series / Publication
Match Value: Zelda
Result Scope: All Content or Manuals + Strategy Guides depending on your library goals
Match Mode: Contains match

Practical advice

Use custom Side Nav items for things you actually browse repeatedly. A good shortcut saves clicks. A bad shortcut becomes clutter.

Start with a few high-value collections, then add more only when you notice yourself searching for the same thing often.