I’m splitting my plugin for remote dev. A backend tool window opens the selected file via FileEditorManagerEx.openFile, and I want it to land in a preview tab when the user has “Enable preview tab” on. I’m intentionally opening from the backend (it gives full editor init and line-status gutters for project files).
Problem: usePreviewTab has no effect for a backend-initiated open in split mode — this opens an ordinary, permanent tab:
FileEditorManagerEx.getInstanceEx(project).openFile(file,
new FileEditorOpenRequest()
.withUsePreviewTab(true)
.withReuseOpen(true)
.withRequestFocus(false));
The same call works in monolith mode, and the same call from the frontend produces a preview tab — so the API works, it just doesn’t take effect for a backend open.
Question: Is FileEditorOpenRequest.usePreviewTab expected to be honored for a backend-initiated openFile in split mode, or is opening a preview tab from the backend not supported? If it’s not the right approach, what’s the intended way to open a file in a preview tab from the backend?
Environment: IntelliJ Platform 2026.2, split / remote-dev mode.
Thanks!