IntelliJ: Keep Project Tool Window Open with Switching Editor Tabs?

IntelliJ IDEA is a popular integrated development environment (IDE) used by developers for coding in various programming languages. One of the features that make IntelliJ IDEA stand out is its Project Tool Window. This window provides an overview of the project structure, and it's particularly useful when navigating large projects. However, some users have reported an issue where the Project Tool Window closes when they switch editor tabs. In this article, we'll explore the reasons behind this behavior and discuss how to keep the Project Tool Window open when switching editor tabs.

Why Does the Project Tool Window Close When Switching Editor Tabs?

By default, IntelliJ IDEA is designed to hide the Project Tool Window when you switch editor tabs. This behavior is intended to give users more space to focus on their code. However, some developers prefer to keep the Project Tool Window open, as it provides a quick way to navigate their project structure.

How to Keep the Project Tool Window Open When Switching Editor Tabs

To keep the Project Tool Window open when switching editor tabs, follow these steps:

1. Go to File > Settings (on Windows and Linux) or IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences (on macOS).
2. In the left-hand sidebar, expand Appearance & Behavior and select Editor.
3. Under the General tab, find the Editor Tabs section and check the box next to "Show tool window borders when switching tabs".
4. Click OK to save your changes.

With this setting enabled, the Project Tool Window will remain open when you switch editor tabs.

Additional Tips

If you prefer to have the Project Tool Window always visible, you can also set it to be docked on the left or right side of the editor. To do this:

1. Go to View > Tool Windows > Project.
2. Drag the Project Tool Window to the left or right side of the editor.
3. Release the mouse button to dock the window.

With the Project Tool Window docked, it will remain visible even when you switch editor tabs.