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feat(desktop): Add file explorer sidebar and integrated code editor #10425
Description
Description
The desktop app currently lacks a way to browse and edit project files directly. Users need to switch to external editors to view or modify files referenced in conversations.
Proposed Solution
Add a resizable file explorer sidebar and tabbed Monaco editor to the desktop app:
- File Explorer: Tree view with expand/collapse, file type icons, refresh functionality
- Code Editor: Monaco-based editor with syntax highlighting for 100+ languages
- Tab Management: Multiple open files, modified indicators, close buttons
- File Watching: Detect external changes and prompt to reload
- Keyboard Shortcuts: Ctrl+S to save, Ctrl+W to close tab
Use Cases
- View files that Claude references in conversations without leaving the app
- Make quick edits to code files directly in the app
- Browse project structure while working with Claude
Additional Context
The editor integrates with the existing session workflow. The explorer panel can be toggled on/off via settings. Web platform gets graceful fallbacks (features disabled).
Activity
github-actions commentedon Jan 24, 2026
This issue might be a duplicate of existing issues. Please check:
Feel free to ignore if this doesn't address your specific case.
R44VC0RP commentedon Jan 24, 2026
Thanks for the detailed feature request, @cristian1991!
The file explorer sidebar portion is a duplicate of #10239, which has an active PR (#10236) in progress implementing the file tree panel with lazy-loading, persistent state, and file watcher integration.
The Monaco code editor integration is new scope not covered by #10239 - that could be a nice follow-up feature.
Closing as duplicate of #10239. Once PR #10236 merges, feel free to open a follow-up for the Monaco editor piece!
cristian1991 commentedon Jan 24, 2026
Just linking my PR #10299 here for visibility - it was submitted before this issue was created but I forgot to reference it.
It takes a different approach with a full Monaco editor and file operations (new/rename/delete/copy). Happy to adapt it to work alongside #10236 if there's interest.