Project Management

PATAPIM lets you manage multiple projects in a single workspace. Switch between projects instantly, explore files, and keep your work organized.

Workspace Concept

Your workspace is a collection of projects you’re actively working on. Each project:

• Has its own folder path
• Can be opened in the file explorer
• Appears in the sidebar for quick access
• Retains its own terminal working directory

Benefits:

• No need to close and reopen projects
• Switch context in one click
• See all your work in one place
• Terminals inherit project paths

Adding Projects

Add a Project

1. Click the ”+” button in the sidebar
2. Browse to select a folder
3. Project appears in the sidebar immediately

Or use the menu:

• File → Add Project to Workspace
• Right-click sidebar → Add Project

What Qualifies as a Project?

Any folder can be a project:

• Git repositories
• Node.js apps
• Python projects
• Static websites
• Configuration folders
• Documentation repos

File Explorer

Collapsible Tree View

The file explorer shows your project structure as an expandable tree.

Features:

• 5-level depth limit: Prevents performance issues with deep folders
• Collapsible folders: Click to expand/collapse
• File icons: Visual file type indicators
• Click to open: Opens files in your default editor

Smart Filtering

PATAPIM automatically hides noise from your file tree.

Filtered by default:

• node_modules directories
• .git folders
• Build output folders
• Hidden files (.env, .DS_Store)

Why?

• Faster tree rendering
• Easier to find your source files
• Reduces visual clutter

Show hidden files:

• Click the filter icon in explorer toolbar
• Toggle “Show Hidden Files”

Navigation

Keyboard:

• ↑ / ↓ - Move up/down
• → - Expand folder
• ← - Collapse folder
• Enter - Open file

Mouse:

• Click folder to expand/collapse
• Click file to open
• Right-click for context menu

Switching Projects

Quick Switch

Click any project name in the sidebar to switch focus.

What happens:

• File explorer shows that project’s files
• New terminals open in that project’s directory
• Project is highlighted in sidebar
• Terminal count badge shows how many terminals belong to each project

Sidebar Organization

Projects are listed in the order you added them.

Reorder projects:

1. Right-click a project
2. Select “Move Up” or “Move Down”

Removing Projects

Remove from Workspace

To remove a project:

1. Right-click the project in the sidebar
2. Select “Remove from Workspace”

Important:

• This only removes it from PATAPIM
• Your files are NOT deleted
• You can add it back anytime

Archive Projects

Right-click a project and select Archive to hide it from the active project list without removing it entirely. Archived projects can be restored from the project settings.

Keyboard Shortcuts

Multi-Project Workflows

Context Switching

Frontend + Backend:

• Project 1: React frontend
• Project 2: Node.js API
• Terminal 1: npm run dev (frontend)
• Terminal 2: node server.js (backend)

Switch projects to explore files while both services run.

Microservices

Multiple services:

• Project 1: Auth service
• Project 2: User service
• Project 3: Payment service
• Grid view: Monitor logs from all three

Client Work

Multiple client projects:

• Keep all active projects visible
• Switch context without closing anything
• Bill time more accurately by seeing all work

Tips

Organize by purpose:

• Group related projects together
• Use meaningful project folder names
• Remove inactive projects to reduce clutter

Use with terminals:

• New terminals inherit the active project’s path
• Switch projects before creating terminals
• Name terminals by project for clarity

File explorer performance:

• If a project has huge folders, it may slow down
• The 5-level depth limit helps prevent this
• Consider filtering large folders in settings

Workspace Persistence

Your workspace configuration is saved automatically:

• Project list persists between sessions
• Folder expansion state remembered
• Active project restored on restart

Fresh start:

• Remove all projects to reset
• PATAPIM will show an empty sidebar
• Add projects as needed