Workspaces
A workspace is a saved snapshot of a tab, including its panes, folder paths, split layout, and view setup, that you can reopen later with one click. Use workspaces when you return to the same multi-folder layout often (for example research notes on the left, inbox on the right, preview habits unchanged).
Workspaces are not the same as saved views, which remember how a single folder looks (sort, filters, view mode, columns). They are also not the same as splitting panes inside a tab. See Arranging panels for layout controls.
Where to find workspaces
Open the Navigator sidebar and expand Workspaces. Saved workspaces appear as a list. An open workspace shows a small indicator dot next to its name.
You can also manage workspaces from the tab bar: right-click a file explorer tab for workspace actions.
Open a workspace
Click a workspace in the Navigator.
- If that workspace is not open yet, Phials opens it as a new tab restored from the saved snapshot.
- If it is already open, Phials switches to that tab instead of duplicating it.
Save a workspace
From the Navigator
- Set up a tab the way you want (paths, splits, view modes, and so on).
- Make that tab active.
- In Workspaces, click + (Save current tab as workspace).
- Enter a name and confirm.
From the tab bar
- Right-click the tab you want to save.
- Choose Save as Workspace.
- Enter a name.
The new workspace is linked to that tab. Further edits to the tab can be written back to the workspace (see Update below).
Rename or delete
Right-click a workspace in the Navigator:
- Rename changes the display name.
- Update workspace overwrites the saved snapshot with the tab’s current state (Phials asks you to confirm). If the workspace tab is not open, Phials uses the active tab’s state instead.
- Delete removes the workspace permanently (Phials asks you to confirm). Open tabs keep working; they are just no longer linked to the deleted workspace.
You can also Rename Workspace or Update Workspace from the tab bar when the tab is linked to a workspace.
Workspaces vs saved views
| Workspace | Saved view | |
|---|---|---|
| What it saves | Whole tab (panes, paths, layout) | One folder’s view setup |
| Where it lives | Navigator Workspaces list | View & arrange pills under the path bar |
| Opens as | Tab | Applies to the current pane’s folder |
You might use both: a workspace restores your two-pane project layout, while saved views inside each pane restore “Boards by status” versus “Details by date.”