Files
zed/docs/src/windows-and-projects.md
T
María Craigandzed-zippy[bot] e9f743d651 Fixes for AI docs (#58969)
Audited the AI documentation against the implementation

## Changes

- **tool-permissions**: `skill` tool patterns match the absolute
`SKILL.md` path, not the skill name (fixed the table, example pattern,
and added a clarifying note).
- **external-agents**: Gemini CLI receives Zed's Google AI key when no
env key is set; extension-provided agents are deprecated in favor of the
ACP registry.
- **inline-assistant**: alternatives run alongside the inline assistant
model (not just the default model); fixed a broken anchor and
`gpt-4-mini` → `gpt-5-mini` model id typos.
- **mcp**: corrected the extensions menu item name ("Install New
Servers…"), the remote server `url` example, and removed the nonexistent
`thinking` tool from the profile example.
- **agent-panel**: "New From Summary" lives in the New Thread menu;
corrected the `@`-mention type list (no "instruction files"; added Fetch
and Branch Diff).
- **use-api-access**: DeepSeek default `api_url` includes `/v1`.
- **skills**: folder name is a convention not a requirement; long
descriptions warn rather than fail (measured in bytes); hidden skills
are also `@`-mentionable; dropped the unenforced consecutive-hyphen
rule; reconciled the no-remote-registry note with GitHub import.
- **edit-prediction**: `alt-tab` and `alt-l` are bound across platforms;
predictions are throttled rather than fired on every keystroke.
- **getting-started, windows-and-projects, parallel-agents**: Panel
Layout lives in the title-bar user menu, with
`workspace::UseAgenticLayout`/`UseClassicLayout` action references.

Release Notes:

- N/A

---------

Co-authored-by: zed-zippy[bot] <234243425+zed-zippy[bot]@users.noreply.github.com>
2026-06-11 15:15:55 +00:00

3.8 KiB

title, description
title description
Windows & Projects How Zed handles multiple projects in windows, including the threads sidebar and options for opening in new windows.

Windows & Projects

Zed lets you work on multiple projects in a single window. Projects appear in the threads sidebar on the left, and you can switch between them while keeping your context intact.

Use Panel Layout > Agentic from the user menu in the title bar (or the {#action workspace::UseAgenticLayout} action) to keep the Threads Sidebar and Agent Panel together on the left. Use Panel Layout > Classic (or {#action workspace::UseClassicLayout}) to restore the editor-oriented layout.

How Projects Open

By default, when you open a folder in Zed, it opens as a new project in your current window's threads sidebar rather than creating a new window. This keeps related work together and preserves your agent threads and layout.

Action Result
File > Open Opens in current window (threads sidebar)
File > Open Recent Opens in current window (threads sidebar)
Drag folder to Zed Opens in current window (threads sidebar)
zed ~/project Opens in current window (threads sidebar)

Working with Multiple Projects

When you have multiple projects open:

  • Click a project header to collapse or expand its threads; Cmd+click (macOS) or Ctrl+click (Linux/Windows) to switch to that project
  • Each project has its own file tree, git state, and search scope
  • Agent threads are tied to their project context
  • Your workspace layout (splits, tabs) is preserved per project

Think of projects in the threads sidebar like browser tabs, but for repositories.

Opening in a New Window

Sometimes you want a completely separate window. Here's how:

From Open Recent

When using File > Open Recent ({#kb projects::OpenRecent}):

  • Enter or click opens in the current window (threads sidebar)
  • Cmd+Enter or Cmd+click (macOS) / Ctrl+Enter or Ctrl+click (Linux/Windows) opens in a new window

From the CLI

Use the -n flag to force a new window:

zed -n ~/projects/other-project

Other CLI options for controlling window behavior:

Flag Behavior
-n, --new Always open in a new window
-a, --add Add to the current window's threads sidebar
-r, --reuse Replace the current project in the existing window

See CLI Reference for full details.

Via Settings

You can change the default CLI behavior with the cli_default_open_behavior setting:

{
  "cli_default_open_behavior": "new_window"
}

Options:

  • existing_window (default): Open folders in the current window's threads sidebar
  • new_window: Open folders in a new window

This setting affects CLI and double-click behavior, not the File > Open menu.

Adding Folders to a Project

If you want to add a folder to your current project (not as a separate project in the threads sidebar), you have several options:

  • File menu: File > Add Folder to Project
  • Project panel: Right-click in the project panel and choose "Add Folders to Project"
  • Open Recent: Select a recent project and click the "Add Folder to this Project" button

This adds the folder as an additional root in your current project's file tree, similar to VS Code's multi-root workspaces.

See Also