As reading through some of the comments I saw someone mentioning the fact of Krita's been un-editable without a document open; I know the settings works kind of, and dockers can be arranged while in this state, yet it got me thinking that some people will want to either create a new file or open an existing one before getting into a configuration of the dockers or Krita in general.

There are three buttons on the toolbar that would make (I'm thinking) a faster "straight to the task" opening of the program workflow. I am talking about the new/open file and the workspaces, they aren't active without a open document, the case would be the following:

-Although shortcuts can be used for new/open files, a one hand on the keyboard one on the stylus makes it awkward to use them. the only other choice is open the file dialog and from there access those. the file dialog is far on the corner and takes two clicks/actions to do so. Its also important to note that the customized shortcuts are not active either until a document its open or created, thus Ctrl+N remains at this point immutable.

Idea:
-Present the user with the options right on the middle of the screen in a pop-up window?, (see note below) with these; creating new or opening existing files. I do believe that most people will do either of those right after starting Krita, and the window would automatically close if the menus bar is clicked. (assuming that the user wants to open the settings dialog, as it is now, some of the settings don't change at this stage, like the mentioned shortcuts)

-Or an easier? approach would be to make the existing buttons of the toolbar active on start, those can be reposition to the middle or right of the bar for convenience on reaching them with the stylus without much effort (especially on big screens/tablets)
-Also and adding to the previous point, the workspaces button would be in my opinion the third element most people would like to set an environment before opening a document. thus making it also active could save some seconds and organize one self visually beforehand.

Workflow would be:
Open Krita > click on new/open buttons > work on file
or
Open Krita > click and select desired workspace > click on new/open buttons > work on file

Note: a few months ago I thought that would be interesting to add a "new file" button to the splash screen since it already had the "recent files" links, I know is now been refactored and those links are now moved to the about dialog which I think is a good approach, since after thinking over it, a splash screen should be only that, a "we are loading your program" kind of visual feedback, thus I don't mean in a window as "in the splashscreen".

Just some ideas, I would like to hear some users feedback, may be I am missing the point. : )