diff --git a/src/types/host-sidebar-preferences.ts b/src/types/host-sidebar-preferences.ts
index 3b455c5dd..6cab4d43f 100644
--- a/src/types/host-sidebar-preferences.ts
+++ b/src/types/host-sidebar-preferences.ts
@@ -51,6 +51,8 @@ export interface HostSidebarDisplayPreferences {
   openOnDoubleClick: boolean;
   /** When false, nested folders hide the parent-path breadcrumb before their name. */
   showFolderPaths: boolean;
+  /** When true, clicking a host with an already-open tab focuses it instead of opening a new one. */
+  focusExistingTab: boolean;
 }
 
 export interface HostSidebarPreferences {
@@ -133,6 +135,7 @@ export function defaultHostSidebarPreferences(): HostSidebarPreferences {
       statusColorScheme: "accent",
       openOnDoubleClick: false,
       showFolderPaths: true,
+      focusExistingTab: true,
     },
   };
 }
@@ -210,6 +213,10 @@ export function sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences(
       typeof displayObj.showFolderPaths === "boolean"
         ? displayObj.showFolderPaths
         : defaults.display.showFolderPaths,
+    focusExistingTab:
+      typeof displayObj.focusExistingTab === "boolean"
+        ? displayObj.focusExistingTab
+        : defaults.display.focusExistingTab,
   };
 
   return {
diff --git a/src/ui/AppShell.tsx b/src/ui/AppShell.tsx
index e251469a4..13f398789 100644
--- a/src/ui/AppShell.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/AppShell.tsx
@@ -547,8 +547,7 @@ export function AppShell({
         const termRef = terminalRefs.current.get(tabId);
         (
           termRef?.current as
-            | import("@/features/terminal/Terminal").TerminalHandle
-            | null
+            import("@/features/terminal/Terminal").TerminalHandle | null
         )?.reconnect();
         return;
       }
@@ -1656,8 +1655,20 @@ export function AppShell({
       joinShareId?: string | null;
       collabRoomId?: string;
     },
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string; forceNewTab?: boolean },
   ) {
+    if (!restore && !options?.forceNewTab) {
+      const existing = tabsRef.current.find(
+        (t) =>
+          t.type === type &&
+          t.host?.id === host.id &&
+          t.endpointId === options?.endpointId,
+      );
+      if (existing) {
+        setActiveTabId(existing.id);
+        return existing.id;
+      }
+    }
     const tabId = `${host.name}-${type}-${Date.now()}`;
     const instanceId =
       restore?.instanceId ??
@@ -1763,7 +1774,7 @@ export function AppShell({
   function connectHost(
     host: Host,
     preferredType?: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string; forceNewTab?: boolean },
   ) {
     const type = resolveHostTabType(host, preferredType);
     // --- tmux-monitor --- singleton tab, not a per-host tab
diff --git a/src/ui/locales/en.json b/src/ui/locales/en.json
index 5acff02c5..4ff6c41dc 100644
--- a/src/ui/locales/en.json
+++ b/src/ui/locales/en.json
@@ -1406,6 +1406,9 @@
     "openOnDoubleClickDesc": "Require a double click to open a host session instead of a single click",
     "showFolderPaths": "Show folder paths",
     "showFolderPathsDesc": "Show the parent folder path above nested subfolder names. Subfolders stay indented either way.",
+    "focusExistingTab": "Focus existing tab",
+    "focusExistingTabDesc": "Clicking a host with an open tab switches to it instead of opening a new session. Ctrl/Cmd click, middle click, or \"Open in new tab\" always start a new one.",
+    "openInNewTab": "Open in new tab",
     "deletedHost": "Deleted {{name}}",
     "copiedToClipboard": "Copied to clipboard",
     "terminalUrlCopied": "Terminal URL copied",
diff --git a/src/ui/sidebar/CustomizeSidebarPanel.tsx b/src/ui/sidebar/CustomizeSidebarPanel.tsx
index a1c5c8961..981e9ee5c 100644
--- a/src/ui/sidebar/CustomizeSidebarPanel.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/sidebar/CustomizeSidebarPanel.tsx
@@ -153,6 +153,20 @@ export function CustomizeSidebarPanel({
                 }
               />
             </SettingRow>
+            <SettingRow
+              label={t("hosts.focusExistingTab")}
+              description={t("hosts.focusExistingTabDesc")}
+            >
+              <FakeSwitch
+                checked={preferences.display.focusExistingTab}
+                onChange={(v) =>
+                  update((prev) => ({
+                    ...prev,
+                    display: { ...prev.display, focusExistingTab: v },
+                  }))
+                }
+              />
+            </SettingRow>
             <SettingRow
               label={t("newUi.sidebar.userProfile.statusColors")}
               description={t("newUi.sidebar.userProfile.statusColorsDesc")}
diff --git a/src/ui/sidebar/HostsPanel.tsx b/src/ui/sidebar/HostsPanel.tsx
index 5c49685f6..16b27715a 100644
--- a/src/ui/sidebar/HostsPanel.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/sidebar/HostsPanel.tsx
@@ -192,7 +192,11 @@ export function HostsPanel({
   onOpenTab: (
     host: Host,
     type: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: {
+      endpointId?: string;
+      label?: string;
+      forceNewTab?: boolean;
+    },
   ) => void;
   onEditHost: (host: Host) => void;
   hostTree?: HostFolder;
@@ -1077,6 +1081,7 @@ export function HostsPanel({
             showTags={sidebarPrefs.display.showTags}
             openOnDoubleClick={sidebarPrefs.display.openOnDoubleClick}
             showFolderPaths={sidebarPrefs.display.showFolderPaths}
+            focusExistingTab={sidebarPrefs.display.focusExistingTab}
           />
         </div>
       )}
diff --git a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/FolderItem/FolderItem.tsx b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/FolderItem/FolderItem.tsx
index 1b52f010c..800adbff1 100644
--- a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/FolderItem/FolderItem.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/FolderItem/FolderItem.tsx
@@ -69,6 +69,7 @@ export function FolderItem({
   showTags = true,
   openOnDoubleClick = false,
   showFolderPaths = true,
+  focusExistingTab = true,
   arrangeMode = false,
   isDragging = false,
   onReorderDrop,
@@ -83,7 +84,11 @@ export function FolderItem({
   onOpenTab: (
     host: Host,
     type: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: {
+      endpointId?: string;
+      label?: string;
+      forceNewTab?: boolean;
+    },
   ) => void;
   onEditHost?: (host: Host) => void;
   onShareHost?: (host: Host) => void;
@@ -118,6 +123,8 @@ export function FolderItem({
   openOnDoubleClick?: boolean;
   /** When false, nested folders hide the parent-path breadcrumb before their name. */
   showFolderPaths?: boolean;
+  /** When true, clicking a host with an already-open tab focuses it instead of opening a new one. */
+  focusExistingTab?: boolean;
   /** When true (rearranging unlocked), the header can be dragged and its
    * top/bottom edges become reorder drop zones. The middle still accepts
    * hosts dropped into the folder. */
@@ -342,6 +349,7 @@ export function FolderItem({
                 showTags={showTags}
                 openOnDoubleClick={openOnDoubleClick}
                 showFolderPaths={showFolderPaths}
+                focusExistingTab={focusExistingTab}
                 arrangeMode={arrangeMode}
                 onReorderDrop={onReorderDrop}
                 onFolderDragStart={onFolderDragStart}
@@ -378,6 +386,7 @@ export function FolderItem({
                 trayTrigger={trayTrigger}
                 showTags={showTags}
                 openOnDoubleClick={openOnDoubleClick}
+                focusExistingTab={focusExistingTab}
                 arrangeMode={arrangeMode}
                 onReorderDrop={
                   onReorderDrop
diff --git a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/HostItem/HostItem.tsx b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/HostItem/HostItem.tsx
index b3296f2ba..a5d1b7c48 100644
--- a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/HostItem/HostItem.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/HostItem/HostItem.tsx
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ import {
   Pin,
   Server,
   Share2,
+  SquarePlus,
   Terminal,
   Trash2,
   Users,
@@ -268,6 +269,7 @@ export function HostItem({
   trayTrigger = "hover",
   showTags = true,
   openOnDoubleClick = false,
+  focusExistingTab = true,
   showResourceBars = true,
   showStatusStripes = true,
   rowActions = "full",
@@ -285,7 +287,7 @@ export function HostItem({
   host: Host;
   onOpenTab: (
     type: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string; forceNewTab?: boolean },
   ) => void;
   onEditHost?: () => void;
   onShareHost?: () => void;
@@ -312,6 +314,8 @@ export function HostItem({
   showTags?: boolean;
   /** Requires a double click to launch instead of a single click. */
   openOnDoubleClick?: boolean;
+  /** When true, clicking a host with an already-open tab focuses it instead of opening a new one. */
+  focusExistingTab?: boolean;
   /** Preset-driven: hides the CPU/RAM bars without changing density. */
   showResourceBars?: boolean;
   /** Preset-driven: hides the per-row status color stripe. */
@@ -502,11 +506,14 @@ export function HostItem({
           : "terminal";
   const openHostTab = (
     type: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string; forceNewTab?: boolean },
   ) => {
     markTabSurfaceUsed(type);
     recordHostActionPreference(host.id, type);
-    onOpenTab(type, options);
+    onOpenTab(type, {
+      ...options,
+      forceNewTab: options?.forceNewTab ?? !focusExistingTab,
+    });
   };
 
   // Mirrors getSshActions: the single Web UI entry carries an endpointId only
@@ -848,6 +855,17 @@ export function HostItem({
               )}
             </DropdownMenuSubContent>
           </DropdownMenuSub>
+          {focusExistingTab && (
+            <DropdownMenuItem
+              onClick={(e) => {
+                e.stopPropagation();
+                openHostTab(defaultAction, { forceNewTab: true });
+              }}
+            >
+              <SquarePlus className="size-3.5 mr-2" />
+              {t("hosts.openInNewTab")}
+            </DropdownMenuItem>
+          )}
           <DropdownMenuSeparator />
           {onEditHost && (
             <DropdownMenuItem
@@ -1241,6 +1259,13 @@ export function HostItem({
             ? "bg-muted/15"
             : ""
       } ${isMenuOpen ? "bg-muted/50" : ""} ${parentDragOver ? "ring-1 ring-inset ring-accent-brand bg-accent-brand/10" : ""} ${isDragging ? "opacity-40" : ""}`}
+      onMouseDown={(e) => {
+        // Middle-click always opens a new tab, matching browser tab behavior.
+        if (e.button === 1 && !selectionMode && !isTouchOnly) {
+          e.preventDefault();
+          openHostTab(defaultAction, { forceNewTab: true });
+        }
+      }}
       onClick={(e) => {
         if (selectionMode) {
           onToggleSelect?.();
@@ -1264,12 +1289,14 @@ export function HostItem({
           return;
         }
         if (openOnDoubleClick) return;
-        openHostTab(defaultAction);
+        const forceNewTab = e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey;
+        openHostTab(defaultAction, forceNewTab ? { forceNewTab } : undefined);
       }}
       onDoubleClick={(e) => {
         if (selectionMode || isTouchOnly || !openOnDoubleClick) return;
         e.stopPropagation();
-        openHostTab(defaultAction);
+        const forceNewTab = e.ctrlKey || e.metaKey;
+        openHostTab(defaultAction, forceNewTab ? { forceNewTab } : undefined);
       }}
     >
       {/* Status stripe */}
diff --git a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/SidebarTree.tsx b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/SidebarTree.tsx
index 59931a4ab..d736a5b54 100644
--- a/src/ui/sidebar/tree/SidebarTree.tsx
+++ b/src/ui/sidebar/tree/SidebarTree.tsx
@@ -88,12 +88,17 @@ export function SidebarTree({
   showTags = true,
   openOnDoubleClick = false,
   showFolderPaths = true,
+  focusExistingTab = true,
 }: {
   children: (Host | HostFolder)[];
   onOpenTab: (
     host: Host,
     type: TabType,
-    options?: { endpointId?: string; label?: string },
+    options?: {
+      endpointId?: string;
+      label?: string;
+      forceNewTab?: boolean;
+    },
   ) => void;
   onEditHost: (host: Host) => void;
   onShareHost?: (host: Host) => void;
@@ -111,6 +116,8 @@ export function SidebarTree({
   openOnDoubleClick?: boolean;
   /** When false, nested folders hide the parent-path breadcrumb before their name. */
   showFolderPaths?: boolean;
+  /** When true, clicking a host with an already-open tab focuses it instead of opening a new one. */
+  focusExistingTab?: boolean;
 }) {
   const { t } = useTranslation();
   // Knobs with no other owner come straight from the interface preset; the
@@ -1000,6 +1007,7 @@ export function SidebarTree({
                       showTags={showTags}
                       openOnDoubleClick={openOnDoubleClick}
                       showFolderPaths={showFolderPaths}
+                      focusExistingTab={focusExistingTab}
                       arrangeMode={arrangeMode}
                       isDragging={
                         draggedReorderKey === `folder:${item.path ?? item.name}`
@@ -1076,6 +1084,7 @@ export function SidebarTree({
                       trayTrigger={trayTrigger}
                       showTags={showTags}
                       openOnDoubleClick={openOnDoubleClick}
+                      focusExistingTab={focusExistingTab}
                       showResourceBars={showResourceBars}
                       showStatusStripes={showStatusStripes}
                       rowActions={rowActions}
diff --git a/src/ui/tests/types/host-sidebar-preferences.test.ts b/src/ui/tests/types/host-sidebar-preferences.test.ts
index ca468e9fc..263403e62 100644
--- a/src/ui/tests/types/host-sidebar-preferences.test.ts
+++ b/src/ui/tests/types/host-sidebar-preferences.test.ts
@@ -27,6 +27,7 @@ describe("defaultHostSidebarPreferences", () => {
         statusColorScheme: "accent",
         openOnDoubleClick: false,
         showFolderPaths: true,
+        focusExistingTab: true,
       },
     });
   });
@@ -65,6 +66,7 @@ describe("sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences", () => {
         statusColorScheme: "status",
         openOnDoubleClick: true,
         showFolderPaths: false,
+        focusExistingTab: false,
       },
     };
     expect(sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences(valid)).toEqual(valid);
@@ -90,6 +92,16 @@ describe("sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences", () => {
     ).toBe(true);
   });
 
+  it("defaults focusExistingTab to true when missing or not a boolean", () => {
+    expect(
+      sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences({ display: {} }).display.focusExistingTab,
+    ).toBe(true);
+    expect(
+      sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences({ display: { focusExistingTab: "no" } })
+        .display.focusExistingTab,
+    ).toBe(true);
+  });
+
   it("falls back to defaults for invalid enum values", () => {
     const result = sanitizeHostSidebarPreferences({
       sort: { key: "not-a-real-key", pinnedFirst: "yes" },