# Files and split view

> Open, edit and save project files from a conversation, and show several conversations side by side.

Vato has no permanent editor area or file tabs. Files open in a window on top of the conversation, and you split the conversation area into panes to see several conversations at once.

## Open a file

In an agent's answer, file names appear as small chips with a file icon, such as `src/app.ts:42`. Click one to open the file window. If the reference includes a line number, the window scrolls to that line.

> [!NOTE]
> In the **files changed** card, clicking a file name opens it in your system's default app instead. See [Review changes](./review-changes.md).

## The file window

The top bar shows the file path, the language, and a **•** after the name when you have unsaved changes. Its buttons:

| Button | What it does |
| --- | --- |
| **Undo** / **Redo** | Undo or redo your last edits. |
| **Preview** / **Code** | Markdown files only: switch between the rendered page and the source. |
| **Autosave** | Save automatically about one second after you stop typing. Vato remembers this choice. |
| **Save** | Save your changes. |
| **Maximize** / **Restore layout** | Fill the whole window, or go back to the normal size. |
| **Open in default app** | Open the file in the app your system uses for it. |
| **Close** | Close the file window. |

## Edit and save

1. Click in the file and type.
2. Click **Save**, or press ⌘S on macOS or Ctrl+S on Windows.

Files larger than 2 MiB open read-only, with the message **Read only: editing is limited to 2 MiB.**

### If the file changed on disk

If an agent or another app changed the file after you opened it, saving shows **The file changed on disk. Your draft is preserved; choose which version to save.**

- **View disk version** shows the version that is now on disk.
- **Load disk version** replaces your draft with that version.
- **Save my draft** overwrites the disk version with yours.

## Close the file window

Press Esc or click **Close**. If the window is maximized, the first Esc restores its normal size.

If you have unsaved changes, Vato shows **You have unsaved changes.** Choose **Save and continue**, **Discard changes** or **Cancel**.

## Show several conversations side by side

You can split the conversation area into panes, each showing its own conversation.

- Press ⌘⇧D on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+D on Windows to add a pane beside the current one. The command palette offers the same action as **Split agent view**.
- Drag a conversation from the sidebar onto the conversation area to open it in a pane.

When two or more panes are open, each one has a header with its conversation title and these buttons:

- **Add below** and **Add beside** add a new pane.
- **Close pane** closes it. You can also press ⌘⇧W on macOS or Ctrl+Shift+W on Windows to close the pane you are working in.

Drag a pane header to move the pane. Double-click its title to rename the conversation.

## Switch conversations from the keyboard

| Action | macOS | Windows |
| --- | --- | --- |
| New conversation in the current project | ⌘N | Ctrl+N |
| Previous or next conversation | ⌘⌥↑ or ⌘⌥↓ | Ctrl+Alt+↑ or Ctrl+Alt+↓ |
| Open conversation 1 to 9 | ⌘⌥1 to ⌘⌥9 | Ctrl+Alt+1 to Ctrl+Alt+9 |

You can change these keys in **Settings → Shortcuts**. See [Settings](./settings.md).

Source: https://vatoide.com/docs/workspace/files-and-split-view