Tabs on Comps in the Timeline Window - like in Chrome

When I get a stack of comps in a project I use the Flow Chart to navigate to nested comps (pre-comps). I can get directly to an effect on a layer in a deeply nested comp with a click on the full flowchart. If I just want to navigate between nested comps, I use the Mini Flow Chart button in the Timeline header. It's right in front of the Kilroy was here button to hide Shy layers. 

If I have multiple main comps in a project, I organize things in the Project Panel using folders. When I jump between Main comps, I open the new main comp from the timeline and then close all other panels in a Group or close all other panels with a right click in the Timeline or in the timeline with a single click.

The comp panel always shows all of the nested comps in the chain, but if you have unrelated comps in the Timeline Panel; the Comp Panel always only shows the nested comps in the current main comp.

It did take me a couple of years to figure out the most efficient way to navigate between comps, but once you get the hang of it, even crazy projects like this one are easy to step through. I'm not sure that grouping the tabs in the Timeline view would be much of an improvement.

I can get directly to a layer in a nested comp that has a problem with Set Matte in this comp by expanding a few of the comps in the flowchart until I find the right layer. One double click and that comp is open, the layer is selected, and I can make the adjustment.

I hope this helps.