diff --git a/crates/project_panel/src/project_panel.rs b/crates/project_panel/src/project_panel.rs
index 8b830513b2c..8b23423a973 100644
--- a/crates/project_panel/src/project_panel.rs
+++ b/crates/project_panel/src/project_panel.rs
@@ -6015,6 +6015,16 @@ impl ProjectPanel {
                     }
                 }),
             )
+            .on_aux_click(
+                cx.listener(move |project_panel, event: &gpui::ClickEvent, _, cx| {
+                    if !event.is_middle_click() || show_editor || !kind.is_file() {
+                        return;
+                    }
+
+                    project_panel.open_entry(entry_id, true, false, cx);
+                    cx.stop_propagation();
+                }),
+            )
             .child(
                 ListItem::new(id)
                     .indent_level(depth)
diff --git a/docs/src/project-panel.md b/docs/src/project-panel.md
index afee88bbf36..030177af8f6 100644
--- a/docs/src/project-panel.md
+++ b/docs/src/project-panel.md
@@ -21,6 +21,8 @@ project_panel::CollapseAllEntries} collapses every directory at once. {#kb
 project_panel::ExpandAllEntries} expands every directory at once. Press {#kb
 project_panel::Open} or click to preview a selected file, without giving it a
 permanent tab. Editing the file or double-clicking it promotes it to a permanent tab.
+Middle-clicking a file skips the preview and opens it in a permanent, focused tab
+right away.
 
 ### Auto-reveal