So You Think You Know `window.open`
summary
A bug where target="blank" (missing underscore) reveals that window.open uses the target as the window name, so opening by name refocuses an existing tab; renaming window.name updates that reference; passing undefined as the URL focuses without navigating; command/right‑click or direct navigation creates separate opener networks so identical names don’t cross them. Built a link wrapper that intercepts clicks, generates UUID names, and a sidebar tracked via localStorage/shared worker to list and focus tabs — it works with notable edge cases and browser support limits.
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chapters (15)
- 0:00Introduction
- 0:42Problem with tab overload
- 2:06Blank target behavior
- 4:14Exploring window.open
- 6:18Refocusing existing tabs
- 7:02Renaming tabs
- 8:48Tab routes and focus
- 11:39Cross-tab navigation
- 13:04Tab networks explained
- 15:10Limitations of window.open
- 17:18Design system workaround
- 19:48Command click behavior
- 21:14Tracking tabs with localStorage
- 23:00Final product demo
- 23:44Q&A session
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