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IDE controls reference

Controls depend on project type, permissions, selected file and runtime state. A disabled action can expose a reason in its tooltip. See Files and explorer, JUnit, and Hardware workbench for their contextual controls.

Control What it does / when available
Instant Command workspace / Projects / Back Returns to the workspace’s owning collection or assignment.
Save status icon Opens account/local save details, Save now, and recovery actions when needed. See saving.
Runtime Opens Java runtime options/status. Runtime availability depends on configuration and project requirements.
Run Compiles if necessary, then starts the selected runtime; Ctrl+Enter. Busy states disable new runs.
Build Microcontroller compile without starting a simulation.
Build options → Fast Build Uses an available Fast Build credit. Disabled when priority/classroom compute applies or no credit is available.
Run options → Debug Starts browser debugging for supported targets; unavailable elsewhere.
Pause / Resume simulator Suspends/continues an active simulator.
Stop / Stop simulator Cancels the active run or simulator.
Restart / Reset Starts the supported simulator afresh; inspect target-specific state before using.
Flash Opens supported physical-device workflow. Disabled for unsupported targets or busy operations.
Docs Opens this guide in a separate tab.
Usage indicator Expands priority/classroom usage or remaining personal allowances. View usage opens usage details; View plan appears for eligible upgrades.
Undo / Redo Reverses/reapplies editor changes; unavailable when no corresponding edit exists.
Search Everywhere Opens file/symbol/command search.
Split editor Opens the current file in another group.
Filename tab Activates that file; Close [path] closes its tab and keeps edits.
Breadcrumb segment Navigates the current file’s project/path context.
Resize explorer / output / group Drag the separator; its controls button provides keyboard-accessible resizing.
Keyboard shortcuts Opens binding settings.

File menu in the current Java IDE.

Exact command Effect
Quick Open File Finds a file by name/path without running code.
Close Current Tab (Keep Edits) Closes a view, retaining contents.
Reopen Closed Tab Reopens a recently closed file.
Print Code… Opens print scope and formatting settings.
Export project Whole-project archive action when account entitlement permits it. Individual file downloads remain available.
Fold Current Region / Unfold Current Region Collapses/expands the current code region.
Fold All / Unfold All Collapses/expands all foldable regions.
Go to Matching Bracket Moves the caret to its matching bracket.
Open Editor Settings Opens project/editor preferences.

Mod means Ctrl on Windows/Linux and Command on macOS. Bindings can be changed in Keyboard Shortcuts, so this table describes defaults. Browser or operating-system shortcuts can take precedence.

Command Default Effect / condition
Quick Open File Mod+P Filename/path chooser.
Search Everywhere Mod+Alt+P File, symbol and command categories.
Show Command Palette Mod+Shift+P Finds registered workspace actions.
Recent Files Mod+E Recently opened files.
Recent Locations — Previously visited source positions.
Navigate Back Mod+Alt+Left Earlier committed location; disabled with no earlier entry.
Navigate Forward Mod+Alt+Right Later location; disabled with no later entry.
Go to Line / Column Mod+G Opens a position in the current file.
Find in Files (Text Search) Mod+Shift+F Searches project text, with result previews.
File Structure Mod+F12 Language outline for the active file.
Search Workspace Symbols — Searches indexed symbols; requires language support.
Go to Definition F12 Opens a resolved declaration.
Peek Definition Alt+F12 Opens definition preview in the editor.
Go to Type Definition — Opens a resolved type.
Go to Implementation — Shows resolved implementations.
Find Usages (Semantic References) Shift+F12 Groups resolved symbol references by file; differs from text search.
Go to Super Method / Type — Shows a resolved parent declaration.
Type Hierarchy — Shows supported type relationships.
Incoming Call Hierarchy / Outgoing Call Hierarchy — Shows supported resolved callers/callees.
Next Method / Previous Method / Go to Enclosing Scope — Moves between declarations or enclosing scope.
Focus Problems (Workspace / Loaded Diagnostics) — Shows available editor diagnostics; not a full build.
Next Problem (Active File) / Previous Problem (Active File) F8 / Shift+F8 Navigates active-file diagnostics.
Next Problem (Workspace) / Previous Problem (Workspace) — Navigates available workspace diagnostics.
Toggle Line Bookmark Mod+F2 Adds/removes the current line bookmark.
Name Line Bookmark — Prompts for a project bookmark label.
Show Bookmarks — Opens saved project bookmarks.

In a chooser, arrow keys change selection; Preview selected file (Alt+Enter) previews without opening a tab/history entry. Open file or Enter commits; Escape cancels and restores focus.

Find in Files temporarily uses the explorer for query/options and a lower pane for grouped results and previews. Enter/double-click opens a match. Closing search or running restores ordinary panels. Problems cover loaded diagnostics; a compiler can find additional errors.

Command Default Effect
Focus Editor Mod+1 Moves focus into the editor.
Focus Explorer / Terminal / Tests / Simulator / Virtual Lab — Activates the relevant tool when the workspace supports it.
Open Active File to the Side — Creates another editor view.
Focus Next Editor Group Mod+Alt+Down Changes active group.
Next File Tab / Previous File Tab Mod+Alt+PageDown / PageUp Cycles open files.
Maximize / Restore Editor Mod+Alt+M Expands/restores editor space.
Toggle Zen Mode Mod+Alt+Z Changes workspace chrome visibility.
Restore Default Panel Sizes — Restores default layout sizes.
Keyboard Shortcuts — Edits bindings; conflicts/invalid bindings need correction.
Editor color lab… — Edits shared theme colors; includes import/export/reset controls.
Show Quick Documentation Mod+Alt+Q Java symbol documentation at the caret.
Generate Javadoc for Symbol — Inserts source documentation for the selected Java declaration.
Synchronize Javadoc Tags… — Reviews tag updates for a changed Java signature.
Show Signature Help Mod+Shift+Space Java call parameter help.

The Java-specific actions require a Java source file. Semantic navigation can be limited by unresolved symbols or unsupported operations. Generated documentation should be reviewed before saving.

File → Print Code… snapshots the selected code for review before printing. Choose the offered scope and formatting in the dialog, then Print / Save as PDF… to open the browser’s print flow. It does not execute code or replace saving. File access/read-only conditions can limit available scopes; review the preview and any missing-file error before printing. Native printer/PDF destination choices belong to your browser.