Just few hours ago Martin Nordholts made another historic commit and push to Git development repository of GIMP that adds saving and restoration of the optional single-window mode in upcoming v2.8.

Yep, you don't have to use this menu item every time you start GIMP now.

The schedule for v2.8 hasn't been updated yet to match the changes, nor it is known how exactly much work is left to do on the single-window mode and dockable dialogs. However this commit is quite an important milestone that makes v2.8 considerably closer.

For quite a while the team has been focusing on getting v2.8 out of the door to be able to concentrate on next big new features, such as long overdue high bit depth support. The current estimation of v2.8 release is end of 2011, but dates are subject to changes, especially if people join the project to help fixing bugs.

As a short reminder, v2.8 is expected to ship with layer groups, completely overhauled text tool with inline formatting, new Cage transform tool, PDF exporting and many, many more new features and usability improvements.