I like to use Shift-ESC to close some of the transient popup tool windows/panes such as run/debug output or find search results.

I also have a permanent left-hand side panel split with File and Structure which I want to stay put – always.

After running a test or a search, using Shift-ESC is fine for closing the panel and getting back to coding. However sometimes I use the File or Structure panels too, then later hit Shift-ESC to close the “temporary” panel, but it closes whichever tool window has the focus – which is nearly impossible to see. So it randomly closes one of my “permanent” panels, upsetting my workspace which I then have to restore, click back on the “temporary” panel and hit Shift-ESC again. I do this many many times a day.

So although I like Shift-ESC, it’s kind of spoilt it to the point where I’m now I’ve found myself doing CMD-4, CMD-5, CMD-3 in sequence to try to toggle the right one off!

Is there a way to perhaps lock the File and Structure panels in place so Shift-ESC will never close them?

Or is there another way to close the transient results? I don’t want the “unpinned” version because it auto-closes when you click off which I find is more work.

I’m using PhpStorm 2023.3.2 on a Mac, but it should be a generic IntelliJ question.