Dockable

Dockable describes something designed to be connected to or placed within a docking location or port. The term is widely used in computing to refer to user interface elements and in transportation and logistics to describe equipment or vessels that can be brought to a dock.

In software, dockable user interface elements are panels or tool windows that can be attached to the main window or detached to float freely. Docking provides a flexible, customizable layout that users can rearrange, resize, or group into tabbed containers. Dockable components are common in integrated development environments, productivity applications, and many GUI toolkits. Frameworks and environments often implement docking through dedicated widgets or layout managers, enabling features such as drag-and-drop docking, floating windows, and persisted layout configurations across sessions. Examples of dockable concepts appear in IDEs like Visual Studio and JetBrains products, and in GUI toolkits that expose docking capabilities, such as Qt through its docking widgets.

Beyond software, dockable can describe physical assets that can be brought to and secured at a dock. In maritime contexts, it may refer to vessels or modules designed to enter a dock or berth. In spaceflight and aerospace, dockable denotes spacecraft or modules equipped to dock with another vehicle or space station.

Overall, dockable emphasizes the flexibility to attach, detach, or reposition components in a manner that supports modularity and easy reconfiguration.