Arrange tool windows

Last modified: 01 August 2022

By default, tool windows are attached to the edges of the main window. You can detach them to use as separate windows, as described in Tool window view modes.

Move a tool window

  • Click and drag the tool window button on the tool window bar.

  • Alternatively, you can click the tool window options menu The tool window options menu or right-click the tool window title bar and select where to attach the tool window under Move to.

    Tool window options menu: Move to

Resize a tool window

  • Click and drag the border of a tool window.

  • To resize the active tool window, press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Left, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Right, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Up, Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Down or use the main menu actions under Window | Active Tool Window | Resize.

  • To stretch the tool window to the maximum width or height, press Ctrl+Shift+Quote or select Window | Active Tool Window | Resize | Maximize Tool Window from the main menu.

Restore the default arrangement of tool windows

  • From the main menu, select Window | Restore Default Layout or press Shift+F12.

Save the arrangement of tool windows

  • From the main menu, select Window | Store Current Layout as Default.

Optimize for wide-screen monitors

IntelliJ IDEA provides several options to optimize the positioning of tool windows on wide-screen monitors.