Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Yes. In VS Code, Roo/Zoo Code does not open in the secondary sidebar by default the way other assistants such as Claude, Codex, and IBM Bob do.
Currently, I have to manually open Roo from the side section and then click “Open in Task Editor” each time.
This creates extra friction in the workflow, especially when using Roo frequently alongside the main editor. The current behavior feels inconsistent compared to other assistant extensions that are available directly in the secondary sidebar (like IBM BOB IDE).
Describe the solution you'd like
I’d like Roo/Zoo Code to support opening in the secondary sidebar by default, ideally with a setting that can be controlled from settings.json.
Examples of useful behavior:
Roo appears in the secondary sidebar by default
Task Editor opens there automatically without needing extra clicks
Navigate to extensions/options in side bar without closing Zoo
Easy switching of workarea, file openings with Zoo in secondary side bar
A configurable setting such as:
- roo.openInSecondarySidebar
- roo.taskEditor.defaultLocation
- or similar
Even better would be:
a setting to choose where Roo opens:
-
primary sidebar
-
secondary sidebar
-
task editor
remembering the last used location across sessions
Describe alternatives you've considered
Manually opening Roo from the sidebar every time
Clicking “Open in Task Editor” on each use
Looking through VS Code settings.json and Roo/Cline settings for an option, but I could not find any relevant setting
Using workbench secondary sidebar visibility settings, but those only control the sidebar itself, not Roo’s default placement
Additional context
Other assistants like Claude and Codex are available in the secondary sidebar, so this appears to be a capability users may reasonably expect in VS Code.
A default-secondary-sidebar workflow would improve:
usability
consistency with other AI coding assistants
side-by-side work with code and assistant output
overall speed for frequent users
If full default support is not possible, even a command or setting to always open Roo in Task Editor / secondary sidebar would be very helpful.
IBM BOB
Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe.
Yes. In VS Code, Roo/Zoo Code does not open in the secondary sidebar by default the way other assistants such as Claude, Codex, and IBM Bob do.
Currently, I have to manually open Roo from the side section and then click “Open in Task Editor” each time.
This creates extra friction in the workflow, especially when using Roo frequently alongside the main editor. The current behavior feels inconsistent compared to other assistant extensions that are available directly in the secondary sidebar (like IBM BOB IDE).
Describe the solution you'd like
I’d like Roo/Zoo Code to support opening in the secondary sidebar by default, ideally with a setting that can be controlled from settings.json.
Examples of useful behavior:
Roo appears in the secondary sidebar by default
Task Editor opens there automatically without needing extra clicks
Navigate to extensions/options in side bar without closing Zoo
Easy switching of workarea, file openings with Zoo in secondary side bar
A configurable setting such as:
Even better would be:
a setting to choose where Roo opens:
Describe alternatives you've considered
Manually opening Roo from the sidebar every time
Clicking “Open in Task Editor” on each use
Looking through VS Code settings.json and Roo/Cline settings for an option, but I could not find any relevant setting
Using workbench secondary sidebar visibility settings, but those only control the sidebar itself, not Roo’s default placement
Additional context
Other assistants like Claude and Codex are available in the secondary sidebar, so this appears to be a capability users may reasonably expect in VS Code.
A default-secondary-sidebar workflow would improve:
usability
consistency with other AI coding assistants
side-by-side work with code and assistant output
overall speed for frequent users
If full default support is not possible, even a command or setting to always open Roo in Task Editor / secondary sidebar would be very helpful.
IBM BOB