Design

design-wise for a web/desktop version of litecast.xyz, which of the two would you prefer — L or R?

I never liked sidebar menus (especially when it's only icons) because they're harder to see and click than horizontal menus! Moving sideways with a mouse is easier than moving up / down

Also like you said, better perceived use of space

Because it’s a native app window or just because of the overall design? Curious what stands out about it to you versus the other 

Also to be fair I do like that the window is filled up with the feed

right. the channel tabs are useful + make use of horizontal space on desktop

The right (looks like Desktop with the bar at the top from macOS)

Clean AF

I would say left because on the right I’m not sure where the buttons are and if it’s on desktop I wouldn’t assume to swipe left or right to show menu

Right cos more room for casts. Dunno about the top navbar if you wanted to have more pinned channels though - lhs sidebar might be better for that.