xCode 4 Tips :  Option Key directs open action to Assistant editor + Direct Open

Holding down the option key whilst performing an action that will open/show a view in the editor will put that view into the Assistant editor.  Examples:

option + click on a file in the Project Navigator
option + select the "Open" button in the File Open dialog
option + select the "Open" button in the Open Quickly dialog (Cmd-shift+O to get this dialog).
option + cmd + click on any clickable symbol in source view (method, class, file name, instance var name, most type names, etc)
option + click on the .h file listed in the documentation pop-over (option click on a symbol in editor to get this).
option + click on a file listed in Search navigator, Breakpoints navigator, Log navigator, etc.
option + select a file you navigated to in the jump bar of the main editor.

and so on.  You get the idea.  Very nice Xcode 4 feature.

OOOOH, bonus tip(s)!

  • You can have more than one assistant editor.  The "+" at the top right corner of the Assistant editor adds another.
  • When you use the option + action feature above, add a shift key for real magic – direct where you want the item to open, from current main editor to existing Assistant editor, to a new Assistant editor, to a new window.   This is made available via a small little navigation pop-up HUD style window like this:

Note that you can navigate around in this pop-up HUD with the arrow keys, and command+left/right arrow to move between the windows.  very nice!

[xCode 4] [iOS Development] [iPhone Development] [iOS] [iPhone]