[ENHANCEMENT] New shortcut Open new tab in current view

[lmtr0]

Problem (one or two sentences)

I have set up ctrl+m n as a shortcut to Roo Code: Open In New Tab, however instead of opening the tab in a new tab inside the current view, it splits the view and opens it

What I wanted was for it to open in the current view:

Context (who is affected and when)

People who use Roo Code on multiple tabs

Desired behavior (conceptual, not technical)

Ideally, I want a new short cut: Roo Code: Open new tab in current view which doesn't split and lock the view. But it opens a new tab in the current view.

Constraints / preferences (optional)

No response

Request checklist

• I've searched existing Issues and Discussions for duplicates
• This describes a specific problem with clear context and impact

Roo Code Task Links (optional)

No response

Acceptance criteria (optional)

No response

Proposed approach (optional)

No response

Trade-offs / risks (optional)

No response

[roomote]

I've analyzed this issue and here's my proposed implementation plan:

Problem Analysis:
The current openInNewTab command (in src/activate/registerCommands.ts) calculates a target column as lastCol + 1, which always opens the panel in a new split to the right. It also locks the editor group to prevent files from opening over the panel.

Proposed Solution:
Create a new command openInCurrentTab that opens Roo Code in the active editor column without creating a split:

1. Add new command ID to packages/types/src/vscode.ts:

   • Add "openInCurrentTab" to the commandIds array

2. Create new function in src/activate/registerCommands.ts:

   • Create openClineInCurrentTab() function that uses vscode.ViewColumn.Active instead of calculating a new column
   • Skip creating a new group and skip locking the editor group (so it behaves like a normal tab)

3. Register the command in src/package.json:

   • Add command entry for roo-cline.openInCurrentTab with title %command.openInCurrentTab.title%

4. Add translations to all locale files (src/package.nls.json and src/package.nls.*.json):

   • Add "command.openInCurrentTab.title": "Open In Current Tab" (and translated equivalents)

This approach will allow users to:

• Use the existing Open In New Tab command to open Roo Code in a new split (current behavior)
• Use the new Open In Current Tab command to open Roo Code in the current view without splitting

Please mention @roomote in a comment saying that you approve this plan, and I'll proceed with the implementation.

[lmtr0]

@roomote this should be easy for you! I approve!

[roomote]

Thanks for the approval! I will proceed with the implementation now. I will open a PR to share progress shortly.

[roomote]

Opened a draft PR with my attempt at addressing this: #10691

The implementation adds a new command "Roo Code: Open In Current Tab" that:

• Opens Roo Code in the current editor view using ViewColumn.Active
• Does NOT lock the editor group, so files can open over the panel like normal tabs

This gives you the behavior you requested - opening Roo Code in the current view without splitting. Feedback welcome!