Keep Project Tool Window Closed When Switching Editor Tabs in IntelliJ

In this article, we will discuss the question of whether it is possible to keep the Project Tool Window closed while switching editor tabs in IntelliJ, and explore some of the related key concepts and functionalities of the IntelliJ IDEA, a popular integrated development environment (IDE) for Java and other programming languages.

The Project Tool Window in IntelliJ

In IntelliJ, the Project Tool Window is a panel that displays a hierarchical tree view of the project structure, including directories, files, packages, and classes. It provides a convenient way to navigate and manage the files and resources in a project, and is often used to quickly open and switch between different files and code editor tabs.

Keeping the Project Tool Window Closed

While the Project Tool Window can be a useful tool for managing the project and accessing files, some users may prefer to keep it closed while they are working on their code, in order to minimize distractions and focus on their editing. However, by default, switching between editor tabs in IntelliJ will automatically open the Project Tool Window, which can be frustrating for those who prefer to keep it closed.

Switching Editor Tabs in IntelliJ

IntelliJ provides several ways to switch between editor tabs, including the following:

• Ctrl + Tab: This keyboard shortcut allows you to quickly cycle through the open editor tabs, showing the tab previews as you navigate.
• Alt + Left/Right Arrow: These keyboard shortcuts allow you to navigate back and forth through the editor tab history, similar to a web browser.
• The Tab Bar: The tab bar at the top of the editor window displays the names of the open editor tabs, and allows you to click on them to switch to the corresponding tab.

Configuring the Project Tool Window Behavior

Fortunately, IntelliJ allows you to configure the behavior of the Project Tool Window when switching editor tabs, so that you can keep it closed if you prefer. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Go to File > Settings (on Windows and Linux) or IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences (on macOS).
2. In the Settings/Preferences dialog, navigate to the Appearance section, and then to the Editor Tabs tab.
3. Under the Editor Tabs section, uncheck the Show Project Tool Window when switching between tabs option. This will prevent the Project Tool Window from opening automatically when you switch editor tabs.

Other Related Functionalities in IntelliJ

In addition to configuring the behavior of the Project Tool Window, IntelliJ offers several other functionalities that can help you improve your productivity and focus while you are working on your code.

• Distraction-Free Mode: IntelliJ provides a distraction-free mode that hides all of the toolbars, side panels, and other UI elements, leaving only the editor pane visible. This can help you focus on your code and minimize distractions.
• Quick Switch Scheme: IntelliJ provides a quick switch scheme feature that allows you to quickly toggle between different keymap schemes, color schemes, and other settings. This can be useful if you need to switch between different configurations depending on the task at hand.
• Code Folding: IntelliJ supports code folding, which allows you to collapse and expand sections of code in the editor pane. This can help you manage large files and focus on the relevant sections of code.

In this article, we have discussed the question of keeping the Project Tool Window closed while switching editor tabs in IntelliJ, and explored some of the related key concepts and functionalities of the IntelliJ IDEA. Specifically, we have covered the following topics:

• The Project Tool Window in IntelliJ, including its role and functionality in managing the project files and resources.
• The behavior of the Project Tool Window when switching editor tabs, and how to configure it according to your preferences.
• Some of the other related functionalities in IntelliJ, such as distraction-free mode, quick switch scheme, and code folding.

References

• Editor and Tool Windows (JetBrains)
• Viewing and Navigating the Source Code (JetBrains)
• Switching Between Editors (JetBrains)
• Configuring Editor Tabs (JetBrains)
• Managing Code Folding Regions (JetBrains)