Optimizing Drupal Admin Navigation: Exploring Core and Contrib Module Options

The introduction of the Navigation core module in Drupal 10.3.0 brings a new option to the admin experience, challenging the widely used Admin toolbar contrib module. The article, "Navigation Core Module, Admin Toolbar Contrib Module, Gin Contrib Admin Theme - I Just Want to Rebuild Caches!" by Michael Anello on DrupalEasy is about these options. While the Admin toolbar provides essential features, like "Flush all caches," the core Navigation module lacks this functionality. Both the Admin toolbar and Navigation core module offer dynamic fly-out menus, providing layered access to admin pages, as does the Gin contrib admin theme.

This article summarizes configurations for achieving a fly-out admin menu with extended items, supporting Drupal versions 10.3+ and 11. Options include combining the Admin toolbar with the extra tools module, using the Navigation core module with its extra tools, and integrating the Gin theme. Notably, Gin disables its built-in navigation options when the Navigation core module is active. Users should also be aware of certain compatibility issues, such as the Navigation Top Bar module crashing the latest Drupal 11.x-dev version and the Gin theme’s "Show Secondary Toolbar" setting losing functionality with the Navigation module enabled.