Allow Drag-and-Drop to Open Tabs in a New Window

[Virkkunen]

Captchas

• [x] I have read the instructions.
• [x] I have searched existing issues and avoided creating duplicates.
• [x] I am not filing an enhancement request.
• [x] I have checked that this issue cannot be reproduced on Mozilla Firefox.
• [x] I have checked that this issue can be reproduced once I removed all my Mods and Custom CSS.

What happened?

Reopened https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop/discussions/5418

Issue is still present on my testing, Arch Linux, Zen 1.12.5b-2 tarball fresh install, KDE Plasma 6.3.5. Issue does not happen on Firefox.

Originally posted by msh4izee February 16, 2025

Zen currently doesn't allow dragging a tab to open it in a new window. Users have to right-click the tab, go to "Move Tab," and select "Move to New Window." This is less efficient compared to drag-and-drop, which is available in most browsers.

Version

1.12.5b-2

What platform are you seeing the problem on?

Linux (Tarball)

What component is this issue related to?

Other

Relevant log output if applicable

[Virkkunen]

Recording

Recording of the issue. On the top is Firefox, on the bottom Zen. Tabs are only split to a new window if dragged inside of Zen's window, and when moving the last tab to another open window, it does not close the window.

[gordonn]

Recording

Recording of the issue. On the top is Firefox, on the bottom Zen. Tabs are only split to a new window if dragged inside of Zen's window, and when moving the last tab to another open window, it does not close the window.

you can drag it to the zen border to open tab in new window

[Virkkunen]

you can drag it to the zen border to open tab in new window

It should open a new window by dragging it outside the current window, as well as close the window if no tabs are left after dragging one out to a new window.

[dosubot[bot]]

Hi, @Virkkunen. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• The issue involves the Zen browser on Arch Linux, which lacks the ability to drag a tab outside the current window to open it in a new window.
• You provided a recording showing that tabs can only be split into a new window if dragged within Zen's window.
• gordonn suggested dragging tabs to the Zen border, but you emphasized the need for functionality similar to other browsers.
• The suggestion received positive feedback from users the753q and xfusek08.

Next Steps:

• Please let me know if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting on this issue.
• If there is no further activity, the issue will be automatically closed in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[Virkkunen]

This is still an issue on 1.13.2b

[maribox]

I have this issue, but only if I try to drag tabs to the right of the window, when the vertical tab bar is on the right. In all other cases, it does create a new window. Is this related?

[dosubot[bot]]

Hi, @Virkkunen. I'm Dosu, and I'm helping the desktop team manage their backlog. I'm marking this issue as stale.

Issue Summary:

• You reported that Zen browser on Arch Linux lacks the ability to drag tabs outside the current window to open them in a new window.
• Suggestions were made to drag tabs to the Zen border, but you emphasized the need for functionality similar to other browsers.
• Positive feedback was received from other users supporting your request.
• You confirmed the issue persists in version 1.13.2b.
• Maribox noted the issue occurs when dragging tabs to the right with the vertical tab bar on the right.

Next Steps:

• Please confirm if this issue is still relevant to the latest version of the desktop repository by commenting here.
• If no further updates are provided, I will automatically close the issue in 7 days.

Thank you for your understanding and contribution!

[Virkkunen]

Still an issue.

[Hafler]

Still an issue on 1.14.9b (flatpak). It doesn't matter where I drag the tab to. The only way I can seem to get it to work is to right click and move the tab to a new window from there.

[Hafler]

Still an issue on 1.15b

[SamuraiKek]

Yes, still an issue with 1.15.5b. Also using Arch Linux (could it be wayland related?). This issue has been reported multiple time: #6319, #5423 but they keep getting closed as part of the cleanup even though the issue is present, and reproducible. Firefox works just fine.

[Hafler]

Still an issue on 1.16.1b. You can drag and drop to the edge of the window or select the option to move to a new window from the right click menu to make it work, but that is not user friendly. I am intending on updating this issue every update I receive in order to ensure that the issue is kept open.

[Wondergood]

CachyOS same issue. As i understand from this issue nobody cares to fix it, right?

[SamuraiKek]

1.17.4b. Still an issue.

[ehs5]

I'm on Zorin OS 18 and I have this issue. Makes me not want to use Zen honestly, though I love it in pretty much every other aspect.