Tab Groups

A local (non-marketplace) VS Code extension that automatically routes opened files into designated editor groups based on glob patterns and language IDs, and applies a configurable editor-group layout.

What it does

• Opening a file (e.g. from the Explorer) checks an ordered list of rules — glob patterns and/or language IDs — and moves the tab into the group configured for the first matching rule.
• Only newly opened tabs are routed. A file already open elsewhere is just focused; a tab you manually drag to another group stays there until it's closed and reopened.
• A layout preset (columns, grid, etc.) can be applied on startup, on demand, or from the config UI.
• A webview panel (Tab Groups: Open Configuration) lets you edit rules, layout, and options visually, including a live "test a path" tool and drag-to-reorder rules.

Install locally

npm install
npm run vsix
code --install-extension tab-groups-0.0.1.vsix

Reload VS Code afterwards. This does not publish anywhere — it's installed straight from the packaged .vsix file.

Develop

npm install
npm run watch

Then press F5 in VS Code (with this folder open) to launch an Extension Development Host.

Commands

• Tab Groups: Open Configuration — opens the settings webview.
• Tab Groups: Apply Editor Layout — (re)applies the configured layout preset.
• Tab Groups: Organize All Open Editors — routes every currently open tab in one pass.
• Tab Groups: Toggle Automatic Routing — same as clicking the status bar item.

Configuration

All settings live under tabGroups.* in settings.json (workspace or user) and are also editable from the config webview:

• tabGroups.enabled — turn automatic routing on/off.
• tabGroups.rules — ordered { name, patterns, languages, group, enabled } list. First match wins.
• tabGroups.layout.preset — one of single, two-column, three-column, four-column, grid-2x2, one-left-two-right.
• tabGroups.applyLayoutOnStartup — apply the layout preset when the window starts.
• tabGroups.fallbackGroup — group for files matching no rule (null leaves them where opened).
• tabGroups.excludePatterns — globs that are never routed (defaults to node_modules, .git).
• tabGroups.focusAfterMove — whether focus follows a routed file to its new group.