diff --git a/crates/assistant/src/assistant_panel.rs b/crates/assistant/src/assistant_panel.rs
index dbd00e33eb..92e3f215c8 100644
--- a/crates/assistant/src/assistant_panel.rs
+++ b/crates/assistant/src/assistant_panel.rs
@@ -2023,18 +2023,8 @@ impl FocusableView for ContextEditor {
 impl Item for ContextEditor {
     type Event = editor::EditorEvent;
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: item::TabContentParams, cx: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        let color = if params.selected {
-            Color::Default
-        } else {
-            Color::Muted
-        };
-        Label::new(util::truncate_and_trailoff(
-            &self.title(cx),
-            Self::MAX_TAB_TITLE_LEN,
-        ))
-        .color(color)
-        .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some(util::truncate_and_trailoff(&self.title(cx), Self::MAX_TAB_TITLE_LEN).into())
     }
 
     fn to_item_events(event: &Self::Event, mut f: impl FnMut(item::ItemEvent)) {
@@ -2531,13 +2521,8 @@ impl EventEmitter<()> for ContextHistory {}
 impl Item for ContextHistory {
     type Event = ();
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: item::TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        let color = if params.selected {
-            Color::Default
-        } else {
-            Color::Muted
-        };
-        Label::new("History").color(color).into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("History".into())
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/crates/collab_ui/src/channel_view.rs b/crates/collab_ui/src/channel_view.rs
index dfd19264e5..fcf8d31fcf 100644
--- a/crates/collab_ui/src/channel_view.rs
+++ b/crates/collab_ui/src/channel_view.rs
@@ -11,20 +11,20 @@ use editor::{
     EditorEvent,
 };
 use gpui::{
-    actions, AnyElement, AnyView, AppContext, ClipboardItem, Entity as _, EventEmitter,
-    FocusableView, IntoElement as _, Model, Pixels, Point, Render, Subscription, Task, View,
-    ViewContext, VisualContext as _, WeakView, WindowContext,
+    actions, AnyView, AppContext, ClipboardItem, Entity as _, EventEmitter, FocusableView, Model,
+    Pixels, Point, Render, Subscription, Task, View, ViewContext, VisualContext as _, WeakView,
+    WindowContext,
 };
 use project::Project;
 use std::{
     any::{Any, TypeId},
     sync::Arc,
 };
-use ui::{prelude::*, Label};
+use ui::prelude::*;
 use util::ResultExt;
 use workspace::{item::Dedup, notifications::NotificationId};
 use workspace::{
-    item::{FollowableItem, Item, ItemEvent, ItemHandle, TabContentParams},
+    item::{FollowableItem, Item, ItemEvent, ItemHandle},
     searchable::SearchableItemHandle,
     ItemNavHistory, Pane, SaveIntent, Toast, ViewId, Workspace, WorkspaceId,
 };
@@ -385,7 +385,7 @@ impl Item for ChannelView {
         }
     }
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, cx: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
         let label = if let Some(channel) = self.channel(cx) {
             match (
                 self.channel_buffer.read(cx).buffer().read(cx).read_only(),
@@ -398,13 +398,7 @@ impl Item for ChannelView {
         } else {
             "channel notes (disconnected)".to_string()
         };
-        Label::new(label)
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+        Some(label.into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/extensions_ui/src/extensions_ui.rs b/crates/extensions_ui/src/extensions_ui.rs
index 2517097086..d96cf3c744 100644
--- a/crates/extensions_ui/src/extensions_ui.rs
+++ b/crates/extensions_ui/src/extensions_ui.rs
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@ use editor::{Editor, EditorElement, EditorStyle};
 use extension::{ExtensionManifest, ExtensionOperation, ExtensionStore};
 use fuzzy::{match_strings, StringMatchCandidate};
 use gpui::{
-    actions, uniform_list, AnyElement, AppContext, EventEmitter, Flatten, FocusableView, FontStyle,
+    actions, uniform_list, AppContext, EventEmitter, Flatten, FocusableView, FontStyle,
     InteractiveElement, KeyContext, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Task, TextStyle,
     UniformListScrollHandle, View, ViewContext, VisualContext, WeakView, WhiteSpace, WindowContext,
 };
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ use settings::Settings;
 use theme::ThemeSettings;
 use ui::{prelude::*, CheckboxWithLabel, ContextMenu, PopoverMenu, ToggleButton, Tooltip};
 use vim::VimModeSetting;
-use workspace::item::TabContentParams;
 use workspace::{
     item::{Item, ItemEvent},
     Workspace, WorkspaceId,
@@ -1135,14 +1134,8 @@ impl FocusableView for ExtensionsPage {
 impl Item for ExtensionsPage {
     type Event = ItemEvent;
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new("Extensions")
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("Extensions".into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/language_tools/src/lsp_log.rs b/crates/language_tools/src/lsp_log.rs
index 2d0527cb5c..6bd4c2ca4f 100644
--- a/crates/language_tools/src/lsp_log.rs
+++ b/crates/language_tools/src/lsp_log.rs
@@ -3,9 +3,9 @@ use copilot::Copilot;
 use editor::{actions::MoveToEnd, Editor, EditorEvent};
 use futures::{channel::mpsc, StreamExt};
 use gpui::{
-    actions, div, AnchorCorner, AnyElement, AppContext, Context, EventEmitter, FocusHandle,
-    FocusableView, IntoElement, Model, ModelContext, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription,
-    View, ViewContext, VisualContext, WeakModel, WindowContext,
+    actions, div, AnchorCorner, AppContext, Context, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView,
+    IntoElement, Model, ModelContext, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription, View,
+    ViewContext, VisualContext, WeakModel, WindowContext,
 };
 use language::{LanguageServerId, LanguageServerName};
 use lsp::{IoKind, LanguageServer};
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ use project::{search::SearchQuery, Project};
 use std::{borrow::Cow, sync::Arc};
 use ui::{prelude::*, Button, Checkbox, ContextMenu, Label, PopoverMenu, Selection};
 use workspace::{
-    item::{Item, ItemHandle, TabContentParams},
+    item::{Item, ItemHandle},
     searchable::{SearchEvent, SearchableItem, SearchableItemHandle},
     ToolbarItemEvent, ToolbarItemLocation, ToolbarItemView, Workspace,
 };
@@ -697,14 +697,8 @@ impl Item for LspLogView {
         Editor::to_item_events(event, f)
     }
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext<'_>) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new("LSP Logs")
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("LSP Logs".into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/language_tools/src/syntax_tree_view.rs b/crates/language_tools/src/syntax_tree_view.rs
index 906bbee104..8208c45857 100644
--- a/crates/language_tools/src/syntax_tree_view.rs
+++ b/crates/language_tools/src/syntax_tree_view.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use editor::{scroll::Autoscroll, Anchor, Editor, ExcerptId};
 use gpui::{
-    actions, div, rems, uniform_list, AnyElement, AppContext, Div, EventEmitter, FocusHandle,
-    FocusableView, Hsla, InteractiveElement, IntoElement, Model, MouseButton, MouseDownEvent,
-    MouseMoveEvent, ParentElement, Render, Styled, UniformListScrollHandle, View, ViewContext,
+    actions, div, rems, uniform_list, AppContext, Div, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView,
+    Hsla, InteractiveElement, IntoElement, Model, MouseButton, MouseDownEvent, MouseMoveEvent,
+    ParentElement, Render, SharedString, Styled, UniformListScrollHandle, View, ViewContext,
     VisualContext, WeakView, WindowContext,
 };
 use language::{Buffer, OwnedSyntaxLayer};
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ use theme::ActiveTheme;
 use tree_sitter::{Node, TreeCursor};
 use ui::{h_flex, ButtonLike, Color, ContextMenu, Label, LabelCommon, PopoverMenu};
 use workspace::{
-    item::{Item, ItemHandle, TabContentParams},
+    item::{Item, ItemHandle},
     SplitDirection, ToolbarItemEvent, ToolbarItemLocation, ToolbarItemView, Workspace,
 };
 
@@ -380,14 +380,8 @@ impl Item for SyntaxTreeView {
 
     fn to_item_events(_: &Self::Event, _: impl FnMut(workspace::item::ItemEvent)) {}
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext<'_>) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new("Syntax Tree")
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("Syntax Tree".into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/markdown_preview/src/markdown_preview_view.rs b/crates/markdown_preview/src/markdown_preview_view.rs
index 55f1cc5a5b..9c547ee665 100644
--- a/crates/markdown_preview/src/markdown_preview_view.rs
+++ b/crates/markdown_preview/src/markdown_preview_view.rs
@@ -6,13 +6,13 @@ use anyhow::Result;
 use editor::scroll::{Autoscroll, AutoscrollStrategy};
 use editor::{Editor, EditorEvent};
 use gpui::{
-    list, AnyElement, AppContext, ClickEvent, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView,
-    InteractiveElement, IntoElement, ListState, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription, Task,
-    View, ViewContext, WeakView,
+    list, AppContext, ClickEvent, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView, InteractiveElement,
+    IntoElement, ListState, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription, Task, View, ViewContext,
+    WeakView,
 };
 use language::LanguageRegistry;
 use ui::prelude::*;
-use workspace::item::{Item, ItemHandle, TabContentParams};
+use workspace::item::{Item, ItemHandle};
 use workspace::{Pane, Workspace};
 
 use crate::markdown_elements::ParsedMarkdownElement;
@@ -456,18 +456,12 @@ impl Item for MarkdownPreviewView {
         Some(Icon::new(IconName::FileDoc))
     }
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _cx: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new(if let Some(description) = &self.tab_description {
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some(if let Some(description) = &self.tab_description {
             description.clone().into()
         } else {
             self.fallback_tab_description.clone()
         })
-        .color(if params.selected {
-            Color::Default
-        } else {
-            Color::Muted
-        })
-        .into_any_element()
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/search/src/project_search.rs b/crates/search/src/project_search.rs
index aa4d19eb24..708916d2f9 100644
--- a/crates/search/src/project_search.rs
+++ b/crates/search/src/project_search.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use ui::{
 };
 use util::paths::PathMatcher;
 use workspace::{
-    item::{BreadcrumbText, Item, ItemEvent, ItemHandle, TabContentParams},
+    item::{BreadcrumbText, Item, ItemEvent, ItemHandle},
     searchable::{Direction, SearchableItem, SearchableItemHandle},
     DeploySearch, ItemNavHistory, NewSearch, ToolbarItemEvent, ToolbarItemLocation,
     ToolbarItemView, Workspace, WorkspaceId,
@@ -374,7 +374,7 @@ impl Item for ProjectSearchView {
         Some(Icon::new(IconName::MagnifyingGlass))
     }
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, cx: &WindowContext<'_>) -> AnyElement {
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
         let last_query: Option<SharedString> = self
             .model
             .read(cx)
@@ -385,16 +385,11 @@ impl Item for ProjectSearchView {
                 let query_text = util::truncate_and_trailoff(&query, MAX_TAB_TITLE_LEN);
                 query_text.into()
             });
-        let tab_name = last_query
-            .filter(|query| !query.is_empty())
-            .unwrap_or_else(|| "Project Search".into());
-        Label::new(tab_name)
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+        Some(
+            last_query
+                .filter(|query| !query.is_empty())
+                .unwrap_or_else(|| "Project Search".into()),
+        )
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/semantic_index/src/project_index_debug_view.rs b/crates/semantic_index/src/project_index_debug_view.rs
index 1b183c5169..2f7d23663d 100644
--- a/crates/semantic_index/src/project_index_debug_view.rs
+++ b/crates/semantic_index/src/project_index_debug_view.rs
@@ -9,7 +9,7 @@ use settings::Settings;
 use std::{path::Path, sync::Arc};
 use theme::ThemeSettings;
 use ui::prelude::*;
-use workspace::item::{Item, TabContentParams};
+use workspace::item::Item;
 
 pub struct ProjectIndexDebugView {
     index: Model<ProjectIndex>,
@@ -271,14 +271,8 @@ impl EventEmitter<()> for ProjectIndexDebugView {}
 impl Item for ProjectIndexDebugView {
     type Event = ();
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext<'_>) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new("Project Index (Debug)")
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("Project Index (Debug)".into())
     }
 
     fn clone_on_split(
diff --git a/crates/welcome/src/welcome.rs b/crates/welcome/src/welcome.rs
index 98892eb29f..3593eea378 100644
--- a/crates/welcome/src/welcome.rs
+++ b/crates/welcome/src/welcome.rs
@@ -5,9 +5,9 @@ mod multibuffer_hint;
 use client::{telemetry::Telemetry, TelemetrySettings};
 use db::kvp::KEY_VALUE_STORE;
 use gpui::{
-    actions, svg, AnyElement, AppContext, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView,
-    InteractiveElement, ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription, Task, View, ViewContext,
-    VisualContext, WeakView, WindowContext,
+    actions, svg, AppContext, EventEmitter, FocusHandle, FocusableView, InteractiveElement,
+    ParentElement, Render, Styled, Subscription, Task, View, ViewContext, VisualContext, WeakView,
+    WindowContext,
 };
 use settings::{Settings, SettingsStore};
 use std::sync::Arc;
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@ use ui::{prelude::*, CheckboxWithLabel};
 use vim::VimModeSetting;
 use workspace::{
     dock::DockPosition,
-    item::{Item, ItemEvent, TabContentParams},
+    item::{Item, ItemEvent},
     open_new, AppState, Welcome, Workspace, WorkspaceId,
 };
 
@@ -303,14 +303,8 @@ impl FocusableView for WelcomePage {
 impl Item for WelcomePage {
     type Event = ItemEvent;
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        Label::new("Welcome to Zed!")
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some("Welcome to Zed!".into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {
diff --git a/crates/workspace/src/item.rs b/crates/workspace/src/item.rs
index d898d775c3..149e949568 100644
--- a/crates/workspace/src/item.rs
+++ b/crates/workspace/src/item.rs
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ use std::{
     time::Duration,
 };
 use theme::Theme;
-use ui::{Element as _, Icon};
+use ui::{Color, Element as _, Icon, IntoElement, Label, LabelCommon};
 use util::ResultExt;
 
 pub const LEADER_UPDATE_THROTTLE: Duration = Duration::from_millis(200);
@@ -144,8 +144,30 @@ pub struct TabContentParams {
 
 pub trait Item: FocusableView + EventEmitter<Self::Event> {
     type Event;
-    fn tab_content(&self, _params: TabContentParams, _cx: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
-        gpui::Empty.into_any()
+
+    /// Returns the tab contents.
+    ///
+    /// By default this returns a [`Label`] that displays that text from
+    /// `tab_content_text`.
+    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, cx: &WindowContext) -> AnyElement {
+        let Some(text) = self.tab_content_text(cx) else {
+            return gpui::Empty.into_any();
+        };
+
+        let color = if params.selected {
+            Color::Default
+        } else {
+            Color::Muted
+        };
+
+        Label::new(text).color(color).into_any_element()
+    }
+
+    /// Returns the textual contents of the tab.
+    ///
+    /// Use this if you don't need to customize the tab contents.
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        None
     }
 
     fn tab_icon(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<Icon> {
diff --git a/crates/workspace/src/shared_screen.rs b/crates/workspace/src/shared_screen.rs
index 6784a75fb5..49af337e09 100644
--- a/crates/workspace/src/shared_screen.rs
+++ b/crates/workspace/src/shared_screen.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 use crate::{
-    item::{Item, ItemEvent, TabContentParams},
+    item::{Item, ItemEvent},
     ItemNavHistory, WorkspaceId,
 };
 use anyhow::Result;
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ use gpui::{
     WindowContext,
 };
 use std::sync::{Arc, Weak};
-use ui::{prelude::*, Icon, IconName, Label};
+use ui::{prelude::*, Icon, IconName};
 
 pub enum Event {
     Close,
@@ -97,14 +97,8 @@ impl Item for SharedScreen {
         Some(Icon::new(IconName::Screen))
     }
 
-    fn tab_content(&self, params: TabContentParams, _: &WindowContext<'_>) -> gpui::AnyElement {
-        Label::new(format!("{}'s screen", self.user.github_login))
-            .color(if params.selected {
-                Color::Default
-            } else {
-                Color::Muted
-            })
-            .into_any_element()
+    fn tab_content_text(&self, _cx: &WindowContext) -> Option<SharedString> {
+        Some(format!("{}'s screen", self.user.github_login).into())
     }
 
     fn telemetry_event_text(&self) -> Option<&'static str> {