Plugins: Add an opt-in grid view to the Installed Plugins screen

[tanjirhasan01]

The Installed Plugins screen (wp-admin/plugins.php, WP_Plugins_List_Table) only renders plugins as a list table. This ticket proposes adding an optional grid view toggle, similar to the list/grid switcher on the Media Library, so users can choose how they browse their installed plugins.

Background

This was previously requested in #37633 (closed as maybelater by the reporter, without a patch). In that ticket @swissspidy noted that plugin cards might make the page longer and harder to scan with many plugins, and suggested a "hybrid" mode like the Media Library list/grid view. This proposal follows that suggestion.

Proposal

• Add a list/grid view switcher to the Installed Plugins screen, using the existing WP_List_Table::view_switcher() pattern.
• List view stays the default. Grid view is opt-in, so existing behavior and workflows do not change.
• The selected mode is remembered per user.
• Grid view shows each plugin as a card with the name, description, version/author, and the existing row actions (Activate/Deactivate, Settings, Delete, etc.), reusing the plugin card styles from the Add Plugins screen where possible.
• Bulk actions, status views (All/Active/Inactive/Update Available), search, and plugin dependency/update notices must keep working in both views.

Accessibility and compatibility

• The switcher needs proper labels and a pressed/current state, and full keyboard support.
• Grid layout should be responsive and work in RTL.
• Plugins that hook into plugin_action_links, plugin_row_meta, and after_plugin_row should keep working, or have a documented fallback in grid view.

Open questions

• Should the grid view be a core feature, or start as a feature plugin to gather feedback first?
• Which actions and notices should appear on the card versus behind a details link?
• How should multisite (Network Admin plugins screen) be handled?

I am happy to work on a patch / pull request if there is agreement on the direction. Mockups will be added in a comment.

[swissspidy]

Duplicate of #37633.

Hi there and welcome! Please continue the discussion on tge original ticket instead of opening a duplicate.