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Split view lets you view two tabs side-by-side in the same window, perfect for comparing content, referencing documentation while coding, or multitasking across websites.

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Overview

Split view divides your window into two panes, each displaying a different tab:
  • Left pane - First tab
  • Right pane - Second tab
  • Adjustable divider - Resize panes by dragging the divider
  • Independent browsing - Each pane operates independently
Split view is window-specific. Each window can have its own split configuration, allowing different split layouts across windows.

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Entering split view

There are several ways to enter split view:

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Method 1: Drag a tab

1

Click and drag a tab

Click on a tab in the sidebar and start dragging it.
2

Drag over the web content area

Move your cursor over the main web content area (not the sidebar).
3

Choose a side

Move to the left or right edge of the window. A preview overlay appears showing the split layout.
4

Drop the tab

Release the mouse to create the split view.
The dragged tab is placed on the side where you dropped it, and your current tab occupies the opposite side.

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Method 2: Context menu

  1. Right-click a tab in the sidebar
  2. Select Open in Split View
  3. Choose Left or Right for placement
The selected tab and your current tab are arranged in split view.
If you’re already in split view, opening another tab in split view replaces the tab on the selected side.

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Adjusting split panes

Resize the split panes to give more space to either side:
  1. Hover over the divider - The cursor changes to a resize indicator
  2. Click and drag - Move the divider left or right
  3. Release - The new layout is saved

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Size constraints

  • Minimum fraction - 20% (0.2) - Neither pane can be smaller than 20% of the window
  • Maximum fraction - 80% (0.8) - Neither pane can be larger than 80% of the window
  • Default fraction - 50% (0.5) - Panes start at equal size
The divider position is saved per window and persists across sessions.
Double-click the divider to reset both panes to equal 50/50 size.

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Active pane

Only one pane is active at a time:
  • Visual indicator - Active pane has a highlighted border or accent
  • Keyboard shortcuts - Apply to the active pane’s tab
  • URL bar - Shows the active pane’s URL
Click anywhere in a pane to make it active.

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Exiting split view

Leave split view and return to single-tab mode:

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Method 1: Close a pane

  1. Click the X button on a pane’s header
  2. The remaining pane expands to fill the window

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Method 2: Select a tab

Click any tab in the sidebar (that’s not in the split view) to exit split view and focus that tab.

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Method 3: Keyboard shortcut

Press Escape to exit split view and keep the active pane’s tab.
Exiting split view doesn’t close tabs. Both tabs remain in the sidebar and can be accessed normally.

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Swap sides

Swap the left and right panes:
  1. Right-click the divider
  2. Select Swap Sides
Alternatively, use the keyboard shortcut Cmd+Shift+X.

Use case: Swap sides

You’re comparing two documents and want to switch which one is on the left for easier reference.

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Common use cases

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Documentation and coding

View API documentation on one side while writing code on the other:
  • Left pane: Code editor web app
  • Right pane: Documentation website

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Comparison shopping

Compare products side-by-side:
  • Left pane: Product A
  • Right pane: Product B

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Research and writing

Reference source material while writing:
  • Left pane: Research article
  • Right pane: Writing app or document

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Video and notes

Watch a video tutorial while taking notes:
  • Left pane: Video (YouTube, Vimeo)
  • Right pane: Notes app
Use picture-in-picture for videos if you need more space for notes. The video floats above the window while you use the full width for notes.

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Split view with pinned tabs

Pinned tabs (both global and space-pinned) behave specially in split view:
  • Automatic duplication - If you try to split with a pinned tab, Nook creates a temporary duplicate regular tab
  • Original preserved - The pinned tab remains in its original location
  • Temporary tab - The duplicate exists only for the split view session
This ensures pinned tabs remain in their designated locations while still allowing you to use them in split view.

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Multi-window split view

Each window maintains its own independent split view state:
  • Window A - Can have tabs X and Y in split view
  • Window B - Can have tabs Z and W in split view
  • Same tab - The same tab can appear in split view in multiple windows
Split view state is per-window, not global.

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Tab closure and split view

If you close a tab that’s currently in split view:
  • Automatic exit - Split view exits automatically
  • Remaining tab - The other tab becomes the focused single tab
  • Safe cleanup - No “zombie” split state remains

Keyboard shortcuts

  • Drag tab to edge - Enter split view
  • Escape - Exit split view (keep active pane)
  • Cmd+Shift+X - Swap split panes
  • Click pane - Make pane active

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Performance considerations

Split view uses Nook’s multi-window WebView system:
  • Independent WebViews - Each pane gets its own WebView instance
  • Shared state - Both WebViews share the same underlying tab data
  • Memory usage - Uses more memory than single-tab view
  • Sync - Changes in one WebView sync to the tab state
If you’re experiencing performance issues, exit split view to reduce memory usage.

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Limitations

  • Two panes maximum - Nook supports only two-pane splits (no 3-way or 4-way splits)
  • Same space - Both tabs should be from accessible spaces (pinned or current space)
  • Window-specific - Split view doesn’t persist across app restarts (reopens in single-tab mode)

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Visual design

Split view features:
  • Smooth divider - Thin, draggable divider between panes
  • Pane indicators - Visual borders showing the active pane
  • Responsive layout - Adapts to window resizing
  • Animations - Smooth transitions when entering/exiting split view
The divider respects your space’s gradient colors and appearance settings.

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