PHsPeed should be able to generate all menu items for the existing modules that already created in a project, especially if we select "Layout_2" or "Layout_3" under Project properties -> Default layout.
As we've already known, those Layout_2 or Layout_3 has Sidebar area; which is the best layout in order to generate the menu items from the existing module items.
To use a vertical menu, you can consider putting the vmenu on your form in layout_1 and share the menu items. PHsPeed generates a name for you, but you can reuse the container over all application modules.
Thank you for the upcoming version with the new feature you mentioned above. Can't wait to use it. ;-)
Also, thank you for your suggestion to use vmenu on layout_1. I will give it a try.