New Tab by Default

An Obsidian plugin that opens links, files, and search results in a new tab by default — just like a browser.

Features

• Browser-like navigation — clicking internal links, File Explorer items, and search results opens them in a new tab instead of reusing the current one.
• Per-source control — toggle the behavior independently for editor links, File Explorer, search results, backlinks, graph view, and more.
• Modifier key support — Cmd/Ctrl-click and middle-click behave the way you configure them.
• Existing tab detection — optionally switch to an already-open tab instead of creating duplicates.
• Split modes — open in a new tab, split right, or split down.
• Background tabs — open tabs without stealing focus.

Installation

From Obsidian Community Plugins (coming soon)

1. Open Settings → Community plugins → Browse
2. Search for "New Tab by Default"
3. Click Install, then Enable

Manual

1. Download main.js, manifest.json, and styles.css from the latest release.
2. Create a folder <vault>/.obsidian/plugins/new-tab-by-default/ and place the files there.
3. Reload Obsidian and enable the plugin in Settings → Community plugins.

Development

git clone https://github.com/klokie/obsidian-new-tab-by-default.git
cd obsidian-new-tab-by-default
npm install
npm run dev

For rapid testing, symlink the repo into your vault:

ln -s "$(pwd)" "<vault>/.obsidian/plugins/new-tab-by-default"

Then reload Obsidian (Cmd+R) after each change.

Settings

Section	Setting	Default
Global	Enable plugin	On
	Default behavior	New tab
	Focus new tab	On
Sources	Editor links	On
	File Explorer	On
	Search results	On
	Backlinks	Off
	Outgoing links	Off
	Graph view	Off
	Quick Switcher	Off
Modifiers	Respect default Obsidian modifiers	On
	Cmd/Ctrl-click action	Invert
	Middle-click new tab	On
Edge rules	If target already open	Switch to existing
	Unresolved links in new tab	On
Debug	Debug logging	Off

Roadmap

• 0.1.0 (MVP): Editor links + File Explorer + Search, basic settings, debug logging
• 0.2.0: Backlinks/outgoing links, existing-tab switching, pinned-leaf rules
• 0.3.0: Graph + Quick Switcher, background open improvements

Support

If you find this plugin useful, consider supporting development:

License

MIT