Feature request: Split editor / side-by-side editing

[abhinavvsharma]

@bummoblizard it would be very useful to support splitting the editor into two panes so that two files can be viewed and edited side by side.

For example, a user could have main.cpp open in the left editor pane and solution.cpp open in the right pane, with both files independently editable.

Example

main.cpp	solution.cpp
int main() { Solution solution; solution.solve(); }	class Solution { public: void solve() { // implementation } };

Each pane would behave as an independent editor, with its own active file and cursor position.

Motivation

On iPad, switching back and forth between tabs becomes inconvenient when working across multiple files.

Some common use cases include:

• Editing a .cpp file while referencing a header file
• Comparing two implementations
• Looking at tests while modifying the implementation
• Working with related source files
• Following examples or existing code while writing a new implementation

VS Code's Editor Groups and Split Editor Right behavior are a good example of this workflow.

Possible Initial Scope

A simple first version could support:

• Split Editor Right
• A maximum of two editor panes initially
• Each pane having its own active file or tab
• Selecting which pane currently has focus
• Opening files in the currently focused pane
• A resizable divider between the panes
• Close Split to return to a single editor

More advanced functionality could be added later, such as:

• Horizontal splits
• More than two editor groups
• Drag-and-drop tabs between editor groups
• Restoring split layouts between app sessions

Related Discussion

There was an older discussion, #504, about showing an HTML file and live preview side by side.

This request is slightly different: both sides would be normal, editable Code App editor panes and could contain any supported file type.

Contribution

I'd be interested in working on a PR for this if the maintainers think the feature and proposed direction would fit the project.

[bummoblizard]

@abhinavvsharma This can be done through iPad's Split View feature. Does that work for you?

[abhinavvsharma]

Yes, Split View works and is a useful workaround. I was thinking more about an in-app split editor, where both panes belong to the same Code App workspace/session.

That would make workflows like source + header, implementation + test, or comparing two files more seamless, with shared project state and simpler tab/file management, instead of coordinating two separate Code App windows.