Open in New Tab

Features

• Universal coverage: Works with Quick Switcher, command palette, bookmarks, search results, backlinks, graph view, sidebar clicks, and markdown links
• Focus existing tab: If a file is already open in another tab, focuses that tab instead of opening a duplicate
• Focus new tab: New tabs are focused by default, or open in the background so focus stays on the current note
• Same-file navigation: Clicking heading/block links within the same file stays in the current tab
• Split preview mode: Automatic side-by-side split with an edit pane and a reading view pane that stay in sync
• Non-invasive: Only changes the default "reuse current tab" behavior; all other Obsidian navigation (splits, popout windows) passes through unchanged
• Toggleable: Enable/disable via settings, command palette, or Note Toolbar helpers button

How It Works

Monkey-patches Workspace.getLeaf() to intercept calls that would reuse the current tab (getLeaf() or getLeaf(false)) and forces them to open a new tab instead (getLeaf('tab')). Calls that already request a new tab, split, or window pass through unchanged.

Also patches openLinkText() to handle same-file heading navigation (stays in current tab) and already-open file detection (focuses existing tab).

Split Preview Mode

When enabled, automatically creates a split view:

• Left/top pane: Edit mode (source mode or live preview, configurable)
• Right/bottom pane: Reading view (always)
• Synced navigation: Switching files in either pane updates the other to show the same file
• Split direction: Configurable as right (vertical) or down (horizontal), defaults to right

Toggle via:

• Settings > Split preview mode > Enable split preview
• Command palette: "Open in New Tab: Toggle split preview mode"
• Note Toolbar helpers button (if obsidian-note-toolbar is installed)

Installation

Obsidian Community Plugin

This plugin is available in the official Obsidian community plugin directory. Install it from Settings > Community plugins > Browse and search for "Open in New Tab" or "Open in New Tab by saltyfireball".

Community plugin page: https://community.obsidian.md/plugins/sfb-open-in-new-tab

More Plugins by saltyfireball

Browse all of my published Obsidian plugins on my profile: https://community.obsidian.md/users/saltyfireball

Settings

• Enable open in new tab: Toggle the new-tab behavior on/off
• Focus existing tab: Focus an already-open tab instead of opening a duplicate
• Focus new tab: Focus the newly opened tab (on by default); disable to open new tabs in the background and keep focus on the current tab
• Enable split preview: Auto-create a synced edit + reading view split
• Split direction: Right (vertical) or down (horizontal)
• Edit pane mode: Source mode or live preview for the edit pane

Cross-Plugin API

Exposes window.openInNewTabAPI for other plugins:

• isSplitPreviewActive(): Returns whether split preview mode is on
• toggleSplitPreview(): Toggles split preview mode on/off

License

MIT