Option for pop-out windows to have panes as main window like file explorer and outline

+1 for Obsidian fixing this issue.

Not only are new windows less functional than the original window (the first-opened Obsidian window), but it also causes some plugins to break across windows/virtual desktops. Eg: there’s a plugin called Typewriter Mode which can’t work across virtual desktops (on MacOS at least) because of this weird Obsidian window design. It can only work in 1 virtual desktop.

This seems like an issue that really needs to be fixed by the core Obsidian team since it can potentially affect any plugin.

Use case or problem

Many of Obsidian’s main features & functions are facilitated by the sidebars. By these sidebars not being present in “new windows” I often find that my ability to work in my vault is limited when using multiple windows

Proposed solution

New windows look & function identical to the current “main window”.

Current workaround (optional)

Related feature requests (optional)

28 Likes

This is really driving me nuts. Maybe I’m missing something, but I live and breathe in the sidebar/s. Why are they only present in the first window?

You can have multiple tabs in a new window, but not see the Outline view of any document unless it’s opened in the ‘main’ window? I find it really confusing and hard to use.

4 Likes

I couldn’t agree more! While the “new window” feature is fantastic & extremely valuable, it is severely handicapped by not including the sidebars.

EDIT: I don’t believe you’re missing anything. I too couldn’t find a solution.

If there is concern on maintaining the “main” window as being separate from any “new windows” I think there’s likely a better alternative solution. The first one that comes to mind is to number them somehow, wherever would be easily visible, but also not intrusive. The status bar comes to mind…

3 Likes

+1 on this! I use two screens on my desktop, and it would be fantastic not to have to mouse offscreen to use the sidebars.

8 Likes

+1!

Navigating to the main window to access Obsidian search is quite inconvenient.

it would be helpful if Obsidian could:

  • Allow search to be accessed from any window, without having to navigate to the main Obsidian window.
  • Give all windows of Obsidian the same functionality as the main Obsidian window, similar to how pop-out windows work in modern web browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
3 Likes

+1 Search with pop out would be best, alternatively even with the option to add the search sidebar to the separated windows could help a lot.

2 Likes

this would be huge if added. can do it in notion but not in obsidian. wonder if there is a community plugin right now that allows us to use sidebars in new windows for obsidian?

2 Likes

I’m currently proving a work-around, if anyone is interested, please comment.

4 Likes

I’m definitely interested.

interested. Can you share your work-around?

+1 I was about to create post requesting just this. Yes, I like having multiple windows open, and the workflow would be so much nicer if these windows could also host their own side bars (Files, Outline, Backlinks, Search … etc., all of them)

2 Likes

I’d love to help test.

I made a plugin that can be installed with brat. However it can lead to weird bugs.

Option for pop-out windows to have panes as main window like file explorer and outline - #9 by ibash

1 Like

+1 for Obsidian fixing this issue.

Not only are new windows less functional than the original window (the first-opened Obsidian window), but it also causes some plugins to break across windows/virtual desktops. Eg: there’s a plugin called Typewriter Mode which can’t work across virtual desktops (on MacOS at least) because of this weird Obsidian window design.

This seems like an issue that really needs to be fixed by the core Obsidian team since it can potentially affect any plugin.

4 Likes

We need this. Like others in this thread, I heavily use virtual desktops, dedicated to individual tasks/topics. I recently merged my vaults into a single one and now my workflow is interrupted each time I’m force to switch to desktop with obsidian window.
+1

2 Likes

I checked and noticed the same bug with Typewriter Mode not working in other Spaces/virtual desktops on macOS, but it’s probably unrelated to this feature request because Typewriter Mode does work in secondary windows even though they don’t have sidebars if you don’t move them to a different space.

You can file a bug report with the Typewriter Mode dev here.

+1 I’m surprised that this feature is not available tbh. Currently it’s a pain to navigate a long note without ToC

+1 its necessary for seeetings indiviidually

+1 +1 +1