AREPL close/open behavior and tab location

[LightCC]

I use multiple open tabs/windows within VS Code. This is typically at least 2-3 windows, but can easily be 5+. AREPL usually gets it's own window.

When switching AREPL between various scripts, the way I understand it currently, it always closes, and then reopens in a new tab. It seems to either open a new tab in the same window, open in the "next" window (if more than one window is open), or open it's own window, depending on some rules based on which command is used (context menu, icon bar, etc.), etc.

A few things here - when AREPL closes, if it was in it's own window, then that window closes and my screen setup gets affected. When AREPL reopens in a different window, I then have to move the tab to recreate the original location in a new tab.

If I'm just reopening AREPL for a new script, I'd prefer it not to close the tab. Maybe instead of closing AREPL tabs, they could go into an inactive state, and the same tab be reused when it is opened again?

Two related things:

1. I don't think there is an indicator that shows what script AREPL is connected to - when I have 10 files open that would be helpful - maybe reuse the line in a normal editor window at the top that shows the filename and symbol tree to indicate which script it is connected to?
2. Would it be better overall to allow multiple AREPL instances, if the user is trying to use it with multiple scripts? Or maybe just to swap between the scripts based on focus plus a shortcut key or command, reusing the same window/tab?

[Almenon]

I don't think there is an indicator that shows what script AREPL is connected to - when I have 10 files open that would be helpful - maybe reuse the line in a normal editor window at the top that shows the filename and symbol tree to indicate which script it is connected to?

I changed it to show the filename with #289 :) Unfortunately I don't know how to replicate vscode's magic where it shows the symbol tree :/

Would it be better overall to allow multiple AREPL instances, if the user is trying to use it with multiple scripts? Or maybe just to swap between the scripts based on focus plus a shortcut key or command, reusing the same window/tab?

Yeah, it would be nice if multiple arepl instances were supported. I like your idea of reusing the same window. However, I want to prioritize work on inline preview for now. That way if people wanted to they could skip the panel alltogether.