Bug 510175

Summary: Single dolphin instance feature don't apply for global shortcut META+E
Product: [Applications] dolphin Reporter: kderocks38 <sourcework>
Component: generalAssignee: Dolphin Bug Assignee <dolphin-bugs-null>
Status: CONFIRMED ---    
Severity: wishlist CC: dolphin-bugs-null, kdedev, nicolas.fella
Priority: NOR    
Version First Reported In: unspecified   
Target Milestone: ---   
Platform: Other   
OS: Linux   
Latest Commit: Version Fixed In:
Sentry Crash Report:

Description kderocks38 2025-10-02 17:00:06 UTC 
SUMMARY
Meta+E won't open a new folder in the same instance

STEPS TO REPRODUCE
1. check in config>startup the open new folder in a single instance option
2. Use the global META+E shortcut
3. a new instance is opened

OBSERVED RESULT
a new dolphin instance is open

EXPECTED RESULT
Just like when I open a folder on my desktop, just open it in the same instance as a new tab

SOFTWARE/OS VERSIONS
Linux/KDE Plasma: Fedora 41
KDE Plasma Version: 6.3.4
Qt Version: 6.8.2

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Maybe its a feature request more than a bug, there's even a  github repo for this : https://github.com/FadySGhatas/kde-dolphin-single-instance
Many threads on reddits, and a few on  discuss.kde like https://discuss.kde.org/t/dolphin-is-always-opened-in-a-new-duplicate-instance-instead-of-reusing-current-one
Comment 1 kderocks38 2025-10-02 17:21:41 UTC 
In a similar fashion in launcher/start menuwhen in you right click on a file to open its directory  the focus is not set on dolphin, you have to manually go back to your dolphin window to find the newly open tab.
Comment 2 TraceyC 2025-10-08 20:45:54 UTC 
The Meta+E shortcut is listed under Dolphin as "Launch", which is the same as going to the App menu and clicking Dolphin, which also opens a new window.

There's another shortcut that opens a new tab in Dolphin, Ctrl+t - will that work for your needs? It would be much easier to use an existing shortcut than to try to re-engineer existing behavior.
Comment 3 kderocks38 2025-10-09 11:56:28 UTC 
Hi, thanks for the reply.

Ctrl+t cannot be made global so as you know you must be inside dolphin to use it.
If you use virtual desktops your don't necessary recall where you opened your dolphin window, thus you end up opening a new dolphin window when you could just use a shortcut to refocus on it and open a new tab.
Instead of some of us end up cluttering their virtual desktops with several windows.
Similar need here : https://www.reddit.com/r/kde/comments/69b2oq/restrict_dolphin_to_a_single_instance/
Comment 4 TraceyC 2025-10-15 23:30:01 UTC 
Valid point. I'll let those more familiar with Dolphin take it from here.