Managing Tabs and Preview Mode in Visual Studio Code

Introduction

Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is a popular, lightweight code editor known for its flexibility and rich set of features. One such feature is "Preview Mode," which optimizes how files are opened as tabs in the editor. This tutorial will guide you through managing tab behavior in VS Code, particularly focusing on Preview Mode and preventing it from replacing unmodified (preview) tabs with newly opened ones.

Understanding Preview Mode

When you open a file in VS Code using single-clicks or via the quick open menu (Ctrl+P), the file is often loaded into "Preview Mode." This mode allows for easy viewing of files without consuming additional workspace space. However, because it is designed to be temporary and not intended for long-term editing, any subsequent file opened will replace the preview tab unless you explicitly mark it as a permanent tab.

Identifying Preview Tabs

Visual Cues: In VS Code, tabs in Preview Mode appear with italicized titles.
Behavior: When you navigate away from a preview tab by opening another file, the previous one will be closed if you haven’t made changes to it or explicitly marked it as permanent.

Managing Preview Mode Preferences

You can configure VS Code settings to control how and when files open in Preview Mode. This section covers different strategies to manage this feature based on your workflow needs.

Disabling Preview Mode Entirely

If you prefer all files to stay open independently, consider disabling Preview Mode entirely:

Access Settings:
- Open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (Mac).
- Type and select "Preferences: Open User Settings."
Modify Configuration:
- Add or modify the following line in your settings JSON file (settings.json) to disable Preview Mode:
```
"workbench.editor.enablePreview": false
```

This setting ensures every new file opens in a separate tab, regardless of whether it was previewed before.

Disabling Quick Open Preview

To maintain quick access while preventing automatic closure from the quick open menu (Ctrl+P):

Add the Following to settings.json:

"workbench.editor.enablePreviewFromQuickOpen": false

This setting allows you to continue using Quick Open but ensures files opened this way remain in their tabs.

Keeping Specific Tabs Open

If you only want to disable Preview Mode for specific tabs or situations:

Right-click Method: Right-click on a tab and select "Keep Open" from the context menu.
Keyboard Shortcut: Use Ctrl+K Enter (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+K Enter (Mac). This command also keeps the current editor out of Preview Mode.
Double-click Tabs: Double-clicking the title of an open file tab will also remove it from Preview Mode.

Best Practices and Tips

Explore Settings UI: For easier access, you can navigate to settings via File > Preferences > Settings or using the shortcut Ctrl+, (Windows/Linux) / Cmd+, (Mac).
Preview vs. Edit Modes: Understand when each mode is beneficial. Preview Mode is great for quickly skimming through files without cluttering your workspace.
Custom Keybindings: Customize keybindings if you frequently use specific commands to manage tabs.

By adjusting these settings and using the methods outlined, you can tailor VS Code’s tab behavior to suit your workflow preferences, ensuring a smoother coding experience.

Conclusion

VS Code’s Preview Mode is designed for efficiency, but it may not align with every user’s needs. By customizing how this feature works through the editor’s settings or using built-in commands, you gain more control over file management within your workspace. This flexibility allows you to maintain an organized and efficient development environment.