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"title": "obsidian plugin open options",
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"plaintext": "Yes. Plugin views can open in three places:"
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"plaintext": "1. Main editor area (the center pane):"
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"plaintext": "await this.app.workspace.getLeaf(true).setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});"
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"plaintext": "getLeaf(true) creates a new leaf in the main editor area, not the sidebar. This is how plugins like Canvas, Cards View, and Kanban work -- they take over the center pane."
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"plaintext": "2. Sidebar (left or right):"
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"plaintext": "await this.app.workspace.getRightLeaf(false).setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});"
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"plaintext": "3. A new window (popout):"
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"block": {
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"plaintext": "await this.app.workspace.openPopoutLeaf().setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});"
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"plaintext": "The key difference is which leaf you target:"
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"textSize": "default",
"plaintext": "| Method | Where |\n|--------|-------|\n| getLeaf(true) | Main editor area (new tab) |\n| getLeaf(false) | Main editor area (replaces current) |\n| getRightLeaf(false) | Right sidebar |\n| getLeftLeaf(false) | Left sidebar |\n| openPopoutLeaf() | Separate window |"
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"alignment": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#textAlignLeft"
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{
"block": {
"$type": "pub.leaflet.blocks.text",
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"plaintext": "So your plugin view doesn't have to be in the sidebar at all. Most \"full\" plugin views (Canvas, Kanban, Excalidraw) live in the main editor area as a tab alongside markdown files."
},
"alignment": "pub.leaflet.pages.linearDocument#textAlignLeft"
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"updatedAt": "2026-04-27T02:02:24.559Z",
"publishedAt": "2026-04-27T02:02:24.559Z",
"textContent": "Yes. Plugin views can open in three places:\n\n1. Main editor area (the center pane):\n\nawait this.app.workspace.getLeaf(true).setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});\n\ngetLeaf(true) creates a new leaf in the main editor area, not the sidebar. This is how plugins like Canvas, Cards View, and Kanban work -- they take over the center pane.\n\n2. Sidebar (left or right):\n\nawait this.app.workspace.getRightLeaf(false).setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});\n\n3. A new window (popout):\n\nawait this.app.workspace.openPopoutLeaf().setViewState({\n type: 'my-plugin-view',\n active: true,\n});\n\nThe key difference is which leaf you target:\n\n| Method | Where |\n|--------|-------|\n| getLeaf(true) | Main editor area (new tab) |\n| getLeaf(false) | Main editor area (replaces current) |\n| getRightLeaf(false) | Right sidebar |\n| getLeftLeaf(false) | Left sidebar |\n| openPopoutLeaf() | Separate window |\n\nSo your plugin view doesn't have to be in the sidebar at all. Most \"full\" plugin views (Canvas, Kanban, Excalidraw) live in the main editor area as a tab alongside markdown files."
}