Xcode 4: Open New Tab When Double-Clicking a File

Xcode 4 adds support for tabbed editing. When using tabbed editing you most likely want Xcode to open a new tab when you open a file from the project navigator. To get this behavior you must tell Xcode to open a new tab when you double-click a file in the project navigator.

Open Xcode’s preferences. Click the General button. Choose Uses Separate Tab from the Double Click Navigation menu.

Now when you double-click a file in the project navigator, Xcode opens the file in a new tab.