Eclipse: Keyboard shortcut for switching between consoles?

Question

In Eclipse (I'm using version 3.6 aka Helios), you can use Alt+Command+Q C (on Mac OS X or Alt+Shift+Q C on Windows/Linux) to give focus to the Console View. Ok. That's good.

My problem is that in order to switch between consoles inside that view you have to click the ridiculously small arrow next to the 'Display Selected Console' icon. See:

I find that quite annoying because I'm totally keyboard oriented and that is practically the only thing for which I have to use the mouse when in Eclipse. I'm frequently launching several Run Configurations at once, and every one opens a new Console. It is annoying trying to click that little arrow in order to 1) See what consoles are open and 2) switching between them. =(

Is there any keyboard friendly way of switching between opened consoles within the Console View?

Answer 1

I'm not sure if you could do this (will be happy to learn something new as always), but, I can offer a workaround.

You can open several console views: in the right most menu in the console select New Console View. Open as many as you need. Each should show a different console. Use the Pin Console button to make sure they don't switch on you.

Now, the problem is reduced to navigating open views with the keyboard. This can be achieved with Cmd+F7 and Shift+Cmd+F7.

Not ideal, but might be good enough.

Answer 2

Nice problem! Here is my plugin to solve the problem: http://www.martialjava.com/2010/07/eclipse-plugin-cycle-console/