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Quick Tab

by Hugu's Works·Workflow

Images © Hugu's Works. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Quick Tab stands out in the Superhive library for tackling N-Panel clutter directly: search across panel labels, replicate panels across tabs, and toggle installed add-ons without leaving the sidebar. It was developed with AI assistance as a coding tool, with design decisions and support handled by the human developer, hinata_hugu.

What is Quick Tab?

As your Blender add-on library grows, the N-Panel sidebar fills with tabs. Quick Tab is an interface utility built to streamline that workspace through search and dynamic UI pinning. Its search bar filters tabs as you type and indexes internal panel labels, not just tab titles, so features surface even when you forget which add-on they belong to.

An "Always Show" mode dynamically replicates panels so they stay visible across every sidebar tab, while Search-Priority Pinning keeps favorited tabs at the top of results. A dedicated search popup opens in the 3D Viewport with Ctrl + Shift + T. Version 1.0.4 added an add-on manager mode for enabling or disabling installed add-ons without opening Preferences, and version 1.0.5 introduced an "Add-on Decks" system for pivoting between Modeling, LookDev, and Animation environments.

Quick Tab runs on Blender 3.0.0 and newer, is released under the GNU GPL v3 or later, and ships with an HTML Quick Start guide plus a Shortcut Recovery guide for troubleshooting keymap issues.

Who is Quick Tab best for?

Quick Tab is best for blender users managing many add-ons who want faster tab search, panel pinning, and add-on toggling across the N-Panel sidebar.

How much does Quick Tab cost?

Quick Tab is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Search bar that filters tabs as you type and indexes internal panel labels, not just tab titles
  • "Always Show" mode dynamically replicates panels to stay visible across every sidebar tab
  • Search-Priority Pinning keeps favorited tabs at the top of search results
  • Dedicated search popup opens in the 3D Viewport with the Ctrl + Shift + T shortcut
  • Add-on manager mode enables or disables installed add-ons from the sidebar or popup, with All / ON only / OFF only filters
  • "Add-on Decks" system for switching between Modeling, LookDev, and Animation environments, plus Global All ON/OFF and self-protection so Quick Tab is never disabled
  • Adjustable columns, maximum search results, and popup dimensions in the add-on preferences

Tags

#Blender#N-Panel#add-on manager#sidebar search#UI utility#workflow#interface

Frequently asked questions

Does Quick Tab work with Blender 3.0?

Quick Tab supports Blender 3.0.0 and newer, so it runs on the 3.0 series and later releases. It's categorized as an Interface / Workflow add-on and focuses on the N-Panel sidebar, adding a search bar, dynamic pinning, and add-on toggling. The code uses safe drawing methods intended for compatibility with a wide range of third-party add-ons. If you're on a Blender build earlier than 3.0.0, check the developer's page before installing, since those versions fall outside the stated support range.

What license does Quick Tab use?

Quick Tab is released under the GNU General Public License v3 or later. It governs how the add-on can be used, modified, and redistributed. The download includes the add-on as a .zip file along with a Quick Start guide in HTML format. For the exact terms and any questions about usage rights, refer to the GPL text and the developer's page, which cover the current licensing details in full.

How do I open the Quick Tab search popup?

Quick Tab opens a dedicated search window anywhere in the 3D Viewport using the Ctrl + Shift + T shortcut, which keeps mouse travel to a minimum while you work. If that shortcut stops responding, for example after a manual keymap deletion, the add-on folder includes a Shortcut Recovery guide (SHORTCUT_RECOVERY.html) explaining how to troubleshoot the issue using the built-in Restore Keymap button. From the popup and the sidebar, you can search tabs, pin panels, and manage add-ons.

Is Quick Tab free to download?

Quick Tab is listed as free in this catalog. Pricing and licensing can change over time, so check the developer's page for the current terms before downloading. Functionally, the add-on covers tab search that indexes internal panel labels, an "Always Show" mode for keeping panels visible across tabs, Search-Priority Pinning, and an add-on manager mode for toggling installed add-ons. The package ships as a .zip file with an HTML Quick Start guide, released under the GNU GPL v3 or later.

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