How to browse a project and open files from a tree

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# How to browse a project and open files from a tree

This guide shows how to open the project tree, walk it, and open a file from it. It assumes Turbo Go is already installed.

## Open the tree

Start the editor **from the project's own directory**, then press `F9`, or choose **Window ▸ Project tree**.

A window opens showing the project's files, named after the directory the editor was started in:

```
╔═[x]════════════ turbo-go ════════════2═[■]╗
║ ▶ .turbo-go                              ║
║ ▼ internal                               ║
║   ▶ app                                  ║
║   ▼ ui                                   ║
║       window.go                          ║
║   .gitignore                             ║
║   go.mod                                 ║
║   main.go                                ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════╝
```

Directories come first, then files, each group sorted. `.git` is the only thing hidden — `.turbo-go`, `.gitignore` and the rest are files of your project, and you may well want to open them.

Pressing `F9` again brings that window forward rather than opening a second tree.

## Walk it

| Key | Effect |
| --- | --- |
| `↑` `↓` | Move the highlight |
| `→` | Open a closed directory; on anything else, step to the next row |
| `←` | Close an open directory; on anything else, step out to the directory it is in |
| `Enter` | Open a file, or open and close a directory |
| `Home` `End` | First / last row |
| `PgUp` `PgDn` | A screenful at a time |

A directory is read the first time you open it, so a tree on a large project costs one listing rather than a walk of everything.

## Open a file

Put the highlight on it and press `Enter`, or click it twice.

The file opens in a window of its own, in front of the tree. A file that is already open is brought forward rather than opened twice.

## See a file that was made after you opened the tree

The tree does not watch the disk. Press **`F5`** or **`Ctrl-R`** with the tree focused, and it re-reads the project — keeping open whatever you had open, and keeping the highlight on the same entry.

Saving a file refreshes the tree for you, so a **File ▸ Save as** into a new name shows up without asking. A file created another way — `go build` in a terminal window, or `git checkout` — needs the refresh key.

## Work with the tree and a file side by side

The tree is an ordinary window, so all the window commands apply:

- **Window ▸ Tile** puts the tree and your file side by side.
- Drag its bottom-right corner to make it narrower once you know your way around.
- `[x]` closes it; `F9` brings it back.

## Variants

- **You started the editor from a subdirectory.** The tree is rooted there, showing only that part of the project. Start from the project's own directory instead — the same rule `.turbo-go/settings.toml` follows.
- **A directory shows as open but empty.** It could not be read, most often a permissions problem. The rest of the tree is unaffected; fix the permissions and press `F5`.

## See also

- Every key and what the tree shows, exactly: [Project tree reference](../reference/project-tree.md)
- Why it is a window rather than a docked panel, and why it does not watch the disk: [Project tree](../explanation/project-tree.md)
- Colouring it: [Theme file format](../reference/themes.md)