Would an optional colored bubble be a better alternative?

Did you already try to configure the Tag-Grouping in the repository settings (Repository | Settings)?

Please consider to vote for this issue: https://smartgit.userecho.com/en/communities/1/topics/1474-

There is such an option in the Branches view's hamburger menu.

Please vote for https://smartgit.userecho.com/en/communities/1/topics/544-branches-view-allow-more-than-one-path-hierarchy-for-grouping-of-path-like-branch-names

Though the dialog should remember by default the selected option, I agree that the default should be to check out because it is the more likely option.

https://docs.syntevo.com/SmartGit/Latest/Bisect.html Please let me know if something is left unclear.

Please try the standard window in SmartGit 22.1 preview from https://www.syntevo.com/smartgit/preview/