Feature Request: Allow Ctrl + T to open new tabs inside the active folder

[pranavkiruthikmani]

Current Behavior:
Currently, when viewing a tab that is grouped inside a folder, creating a new tab using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + T (or clicking the new tab button) spawns the new, blank tab outside of the active folder. Even when modifying core settings like browser.tabs.insertAfterCurrent to true, Zen Browser's vertical sidebar places the manual new tab at the bottom of the tab list or in the root workspace, requiring users to manually drag it back into the folder.

Desired Behavior:
When a user is focused on a tab that is inside a folder, pressing Ctrl + T should automatically spawn the new blank tab inside that same folder, directly adjacent to the active tab.

Why this is important:

Better Workflow: It removes the friction of constantly having to drag newly created tabs back into the folder you are actively working in.

Intuitive UI: If a user is working within a specific context (a folder), it is expected that new tasks (new tabs) created at that moment belong to that same context.

Consistency: Since there is already a workaround to keep child tabs (links opened from existing pages) inside folders using zen.folders.owned-tabs-in-folder, making blank manual tabs respect the folder boundary would make the tab management experience feel much more complete.

Thanks for all the hard work on the browser!

[mehdi-sy-h]

I would like to work on a PR for this, assuming nobody else has already started?

[mehdi-sy-h]

#13700

[TenBryBry2003]

Yeah I ran into this problem when doing research, this would be a really nice productivity boost.

[m-pandasrcute]

I was trying everything possible to find a fix like today LOL. I even tried adding an element with script from google AI so I'd have a clickable link directly to my new tab page inside all webpages so I could hover over it and do ctrl+middle click and get a new tab inside folder, but the element (probably since I put the java script into an extension) treats it as part of the browser framework ;-;. Idk what else I can do with the element idea to help make zen browser smoother overall but if I think of something I'll probably add it on here.

At least I ended up finding a way to make changing pre-pinned urls change fast to new url and without needing to bookmark > drop on top of the pre-pinned tab (Only intend to bookmark actual staple websites). After I realized you can right-click on the pre-pinned tab and then go through the menu to force-edit the url that way too, I asked google AI for a shortcut to that window and it DELIVERED✨:

I named my bookmark like it suggested '📍 Change Pin URL' (I liked it lol).
You just have to paste this into the "url" part when making the new bookmark:
javascript:(function(){var currentURL=window.location.href;var newURL=prompt("Enter new URL for this pinned tab:", currentURL);if(newURL){if(!/^https?:///i.test(newURL)){newURL="https://"+newURL;}window.location.href=newURL;}})();

If it makes your life easier, enjoy! :D

[m-pandasrcute]

Not me actually finding a workaround for opening any tab I want into folders for now. Note: All Java Scripts Google-AI generated.

This set up consists of two elements + JavaScript that manipulates how Zen Browser reads the links inside all my Tampermonkey elements.
What I did:
0. Have "Glance" feature in Zen browser settings on. I have it set to "Alt+Click" (I remember it feeling the best fit but not sure if really required to make all this work). Also toggle on the advanced mod/setting that makes it possible to open a child tab from OG pinned tab by hovering mouse on link inside this parent webpage and then doing ctrl+middle click.

1. Mini-Tab Element (Glance+New Tab)
2. Hyperlink Element (Toggle open-close + draggable)
3. Manipulate how Zen reads links inside of Elements

1. It's a little gimmicky in the sense of I'm not 100% sure why my mini-tab element works in a way that takes advantage of the "Glance" feature to open a glance window with my "new tab" page every time. I did customize the new tab page with an entirely different extension. Basically, I'm not entirely sure how the java script itself would be treated if implemented into someone else's zen browser due to how I first started with it. Someone who knows their way around scripts would have to tell me lmao.

2. Well I got it to work as smoothly as I could LOL.
   -Structure: Small element > click > open side element with hyperlink > click the small element that moved to the left (from
   opening link) to close it.
   -Base Function: Drag the link of any webpage you are on
   Why:
   • Inside pinned tab: You are not allowed to drag a link from the address bar (crucial once I explain how everything works together).
   • Inside Mini-Tab: Glance version of your "New Tab" page that comes up right in front of your pinned tab (voila - instant new tab! And you don't have to commit to it either!)
   ~Need it to become a non-pinned tab? click one of the top right Glance features: Expand or split tab (it will become a
   split view under unpinned tabs of pinned tab+previous glance window!)
   Update: For my Mini-tab, the expand option on my mini tab started opening the page inside folder except for when the pinned tab I opened it on was in split view. (Ig I'll see how long it lasts)
   ~Need it only for a quick search? Click X at the top right Glance options!
   ~Need to keep it in your folder? Drag the page link out of the Hyperlink Element and drop it in the space right in between the
   intended folder name of your choice and the proceeding pinned tab!

☆Cons About these Elements (Both Mini-Tab & Hyperlink):
-They also appear inside of "iFrame"(according to Google)/embedded elements that usually host ads on webpages like Merriam
Webster. iFrames seem to be their own embedded webpages smh. Google AI couldn't find a script that worked to stop that from
happening. It can be distracting on a webpage, but if you know how to customize a script, making the elements less visually
obstructive, it shouldn't be a problem. Fixed it!
-Maybe because I made the location for my hyperlink element to be at the top middle of a webpage when it opens, but on a site like
Merriam Webster, it disappears after you start searching words and their search/toggle bar gets boosted to the very top of the page.
Whatever script that particular site uses is too strong. Google AI couldn't fix my element not appearing so I didn't bother with it in the end. Personally, dictionary type searches aren't things that need to be pinned; they start crowding space quickly and it's more of a word-search dump I rather keep in the dump/unpinned section. So I didn't care. If it's that important, I can drag it into my folder later.

3. Javascript: Manipulate How Zen reads the links inside ALL your Tampermonkey/Extension housed Elements! - I managed to get one that WORKS with Google AI. (I told Google AI to apply it to all my elements in case I come up with something else in the future (YNK).
   -Function: Makes it possible for Zen Browser to treat a webpage link from the Hyperlink Element as a "child link" that comes from your pinned tab.

WELL I MADE IT THIS FAR. If anyone is interested in making this whole setup more streamlined for their personal/others' use, let me know and maybe we can find a way to make it a real thing!