diff --git a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/one_line_ui.rs b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/one_line_ui.rs
index 0a2c3faca..571cdfa69 100644
--- a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/one_line_ui.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/one_line_ui.rs
@@ -1193,7 +1193,7 @@ fn get_keys_and_hints(mi: &ModeInfo) -> Vec<(String, String, Vec<KeyWithModifier
         };
 
         vec![
-        (s("New"), s("New"), single_action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None), TO_NORMAL])),
+        (s("New"), s("New"), single_action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Change focus"), s("Move"), focus_keys),
         (s("Close"), s("Close"), single_action_key(&km, &[A::CloseTab, TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Rename"), s("Rename"),
@@ -1275,7 +1275,7 @@ fn get_keys_and_hints(mi: &ModeInfo) -> Vec<(String, String, Vec<KeyWithModifier
         (s("Split down"), s("Down"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewPane(Some(Dir::Down), None, false), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Split right"), s("Right"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewPane(Some(Dir::Right), None, false), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Fullscreen"), s("Fullscreen"), action_key(&km, &[A::ToggleFocusFullscreen, TO_NORMAL])),
-        (s("New tab"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None), TO_NORMAL])),
+        (s("New tab"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Rename tab"), s("Rename"),
             action_key(&km, &[A::SwitchToMode(IM::RenameTab), A::TabNameInput(vec![0])])),
         (s("Previous Tab"), s("Previous"), action_key(&km, &[A::GoToPreviousTab, TO_NORMAL])),
diff --git a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/second_line.rs b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/second_line.rs
index 5b686d94a..fa2be639b 100644
--- a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/second_line.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/second_line.rs
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ fn get_keys_and_hints(mi: &ModeInfo) -> Vec<(String, String, Vec<KeyWithModifier
         };
 
         vec![
-        (s("New"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None), TO_NORMAL])),
+        (s("New"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Change focus"), s("Move"), focus_keys),
         (s("Close"), s("Close"), action_key(&km, &[A::CloseTab, TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Rename"), s("Rename"),
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ fn get_keys_and_hints(mi: &ModeInfo) -> Vec<(String, String, Vec<KeyWithModifier
         (s("Split down"), s("Down"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewPane(Some(Dir::Down), None, false), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Split right"), s("Right"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewPane(Some(Dir::Right), None, false), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Fullscreen"), s("Fullscreen"), action_key(&km, &[A::ToggleFocusFullscreen, TO_NORMAL])),
-        (s("New tab"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None), TO_NORMAL])),
+        (s("New tab"), s("New"), action_key(&km, &[A::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true), TO_NORMAL])),
         (s("Rename tab"), s("Rename"),
             action_key(&km, &[A::SwitchToMode(IM::RenameTab), A::TabNameInput(vec![0])])),
         (s("Previous Tab"), s("Previous"), action_key(&km, &[A::GoToPreviousTab, TO_NORMAL])),
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index eacefc8a7..18370985e 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -6,8 +6,10 @@ mod tests;
 use zellij_utils::{
     clap::Parser,
     cli::{CliAction, CliArgs, Command, Sessions},
+    envs,
     input::config::Config,
     logging::*,
+    setup::Setup,
 };
 
 fn main() {
@@ -190,6 +192,30 @@ fn main() {
         commands::delete_session(target_session, force);
     } else if let Some(path) = opts.server {
         commands::start_server(path, opts.debug);
+    } else if let Some(layout) = &opts.layout {
+        if let Some(session_name) = opts
+            .session
+            .as_ref()
+            .cloned()
+            .or_else(|| envs::get_session_name().ok())
+        {
+            let config = Config::try_from(&opts).ok();
+            let options = Setup::from_cli_args(&opts).ok().map(|r| r.2);
+            let new_layout_cli_action = CliAction::NewTab {
+                layout: Some(layout.clone()),
+                layout_dir: options.as_ref().and_then(|o| o.layout_dir.clone()),
+                name: None,
+                cwd: options.as_ref().and_then(|o| o.default_cwd.clone()),
+            };
+            commands::send_action_to_session(new_layout_cli_action, Some(session_name), config);
+        } else {
+            commands::start_client(opts);
+        }
+    } else if let Some(layout_for_new_session) = &opts.new_session_with_layout {
+        let mut opts = opts.clone();
+        opts.new_session_with_layout = None;
+        opts.layout = Some(layout_for_new_session.clone());
+        commands::start_client(opts);
     } else {
         commands::start_client(opts);
     }
diff --git a/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs b/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
index 40feeb21d..6b702f018 100644
--- a/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
+++ b/src/tests/e2e/remote_runner.rs
@@ -111,7 +111,7 @@ fn start_zellij_mirrored_session_with_layout(channel: &mut ssh2::Channel, layout
     channel
         .write_all(
             format!(
-                "{} {} --session {} --data-dir {} --layout {} options --mirror-session true --serialization-interval 1\n",
+                "{} {} --session {} --data-dir {} --new-session-with-layout {} options --mirror-session true --serialization-interval 1\n",
                 SET_ENV_VARIABLES,
                 ZELLIJ_EXECUTABLE_LOCATION,
                 SESSION_NAME,
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@ fn start_zellij_mirrored_session_with_layout_and_viewport_serialization(
     channel
         .write_all(
             format!(
-                "{} {} --session {} --data-dir {} --layout {} options --mirror-session true --serialize-pane-viewport true --serialization-interval 1\n",
+                "{} {} --session {} --data-dir {} --new-session-with-layout {} options --mirror-session true --serialize-pane-viewport true --serialization-interval 1\n",
                 SET_ENV_VARIABLES,
                 ZELLIJ_EXECUTABLE_LOCATION,
                 SESSION_NAME,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
index d95dff7b5..2d325496c 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
@@ -580,7 +580,11 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                 });
                 let cwd = runtime_config_options.default_cwd;
 
-                let spawn_tabs = |tab_layout, floating_panes_layout, tab_name, swap_layouts| {
+                let spawn_tabs = |tab_layout,
+                                  floating_panes_layout,
+                                  tab_name,
+                                  swap_layouts,
+                                  should_focus_tab| {
                     session_data
                         .read()
                         .unwrap()
@@ -594,13 +598,18 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                             floating_panes_layout,
                             tab_name,
                             swap_layouts,
+                            should_focus_tab,
                             client_id,
                         ))
                         .unwrap()
                 };
 
                 if layout.has_tabs() {
-                    for (tab_name, tab_layout, floating_panes_layout) in layout.tabs() {
+                    let focused_tab_index = layout.focused_tab_index().unwrap_or(0);
+                    for (tab_index, (tab_name, tab_layout, floating_panes_layout)) in
+                        layout.tabs().into_iter().enumerate()
+                    {
+                        let should_focus_tab = tab_index == focused_tab_index;
                         spawn_tabs(
                             Some(tab_layout.clone()),
                             floating_panes_layout.clone(),
@@ -609,22 +618,9 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                                 layout.swap_tiled_layouts.clone(),
                                 layout.swap_floating_layouts.clone(),
                             ),
+                            should_focus_tab,
                         );
                     }
-
-                    if let Some(focused_tab_index) = layout.focused_tab_index() {
-                        session_data
-                            .read()
-                            .unwrap()
-                            .as_ref()
-                            .unwrap()
-                            .senders
-                            .send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::GoToTab(
-                                (focused_tab_index + 1) as u32,
-                                Some(client_id),
-                            ))
-                            .unwrap();
-                    }
                 } else {
                     let mut floating_panes =
                         layout.template.map(|t| t.1).clone().unwrap_or_default();
@@ -642,6 +638,7 @@ pub fn start_server(mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
                             layout.swap_tiled_layouts.clone(),
                             layout.swap_floating_layouts.clone(),
                         ),
+                        true,
                     );
                 }
                 session_data
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tab_plugin_command.snap b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tab_plugin_command.snap
index 2a187935f..0465686b4 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tab_plugin_command.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tab_plugin_command.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-server/src/plugins/./unit/plugin_tests.rs
-assertion_line: 573
+assertion_line: 1373
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", new_tab_event)"
 ---
 Some(
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ Some(
             [],
             [],
         ),
+        true,
         1,
     ),
 )
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command-2.snap b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command-2.snap
index 54d15e6e5..e35e94bba 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command-2.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command-2.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-server/src/plugins/./unit/plugin_tests.rs
-assertion_line: 1002
+assertion_line: 1301
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", second_new_tab_event)"
 ---
 Some(
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ Some(
             [],
             [],
         ),
+        false,
         1,
     ),
 )
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command.snap b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command.snap
index 9c4614e63..fbc68b9e2 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__plugins__plugin_tests__new_tabs_with_layout_plugin_command.snap
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 ---
 source: zellij-server/src/plugins/./unit/plugin_tests.rs
-assertion_line: 1001
+assertion_line: 1300
 expression: "format!(\"{:#?}\", first_new_tab_event)"
 ---
 Some(
@@ -64,6 +64,7 @@ Some(
             [],
             [],
         ),
+        true,
         1,
     ),
 )
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs b/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
index 82038c310..05ae17525 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/plugins/zellij_exports.rs
@@ -1009,10 +1009,15 @@ fn apply_layout(env: &PluginEnv, layout: Layout) {
             swap_tiled_layouts,
             swap_floating_layouts,
             None,
+            true,
         );
         tabs_to_open.push(action);
     } else {
-        for (tab_name, tiled_pane_layout, floating_pane_layout) in layout.tabs() {
+        let focused_tab_index = layout.focused_tab_index().unwrap_or(0);
+        for (tab_index, (tab_name, tiled_pane_layout, floating_pane_layout)) in
+            layout.tabs().into_iter().enumerate()
+        {
+            let should_focus_tab = tab_index == focused_tab_index;
             let swap_tiled_layouts = Some(layout.swap_tiled_layouts.clone());
             let swap_floating_layouts = Some(layout.swap_floating_layouts.clone());
             let action = Action::NewTab(
@@ -1021,6 +1026,7 @@ fn apply_layout(env: &PluginEnv, layout: Layout) {
                 swap_tiled_layouts,
                 swap_floating_layouts,
                 tab_name,
+                should_focus_tab,
             );
             tabs_to_open.push(action);
         }
@@ -1032,7 +1038,7 @@ fn apply_layout(env: &PluginEnv, layout: Layout) {
 }
 
 fn new_tab(env: &PluginEnv) {
-    let action = Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None);
+    let action = Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true);
     let error_msg = || format!("Failed to open new tab");
     apply_action!(action, error_msg, env);
 }
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/route.rs b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
index 9da11259a..2580a12d0 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/route.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
@@ -499,6 +499,7 @@ pub(crate) fn route_action(
             swap_tiled_layouts,
             swap_floating_layouts,
             tab_name,
+            should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
         ) => {
             let shell = default_shell.clone();
             let swap_tiled_layouts =
@@ -513,6 +514,7 @@ pub(crate) fn route_action(
                     floating_panes_layout,
                     tab_name,
                     (swap_tiled_layouts, swap_floating_layouts),
+                    should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
                     client_id,
                 ))
                 .with_context(err_context)?;
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
index a44828078..832dfcdbf 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
@@ -218,6 +218,7 @@ pub enum ScreenInstruction {
         Vec<FloatingPaneLayout>,
         Option<String>,
         (Vec<SwapTiledLayout>, Vec<SwapFloatingLayout>), // swap layouts
+        bool,                                            // should_change_focus_to_new_tab
         ClientId,
     ),
     ApplyLayout(
@@ -3420,12 +3421,22 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                 floating_panes_layout,
                 tab_name,
                 swap_layouts,
+                should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
                 client_id,
             ) => {
                 let tab_index = screen.get_new_tab_index();
-                let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
                 pending_tab_ids.insert(tab_index);
-                screen.new_tab(tab_index, swap_layouts, tab_name.clone(), Some(client_id))?;
+                let client_id_for_new_tab = if should_change_focus_to_new_tab {
+                    Some(client_id)
+                } else {
+                    None
+                };
+                screen.new_tab(
+                    tab_index,
+                    swap_layouts,
+                    tab_name.clone(),
+                    client_id_for_new_tab,
+                )?;
                 screen
                     .bus
                     .senders
@@ -3464,6 +3475,19 @@ pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
                     for (tab_index, client_id) in pending_tab_switches.drain() {
                         screen.go_to_tab(tab_index as usize, client_id)?;
                     }
+                    if should_change_focus_to_new_tab {
+                        screen.go_to_tab(tab_index as usize + 1, client_id)?;
+                    }
+                } else if should_change_focus_to_new_tab {
+                    let client_id_to_switch = if screen.active_tab_indices.contains_key(&client_id)
+                    {
+                        Some(client_id)
+                    } else {
+                        screen.active_tab_indices.keys().next().copied()
+                    };
+                    if let Some(client_id_to_switch) = client_id_to_switch {
+                        pending_tab_switches.insert((tab_index as usize, client_id_to_switch));
+                    }
                 }
 
                 for plugin_ids in new_plugin_ids.values() {
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
index 9f3317c00..c536fe310 100644
--- a/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/unit/screen_tests.rs
@@ -371,6 +371,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
         let default_shell = None;
         let tab_name = None;
         let tab_index = self.last_opened_tab_index.map(|l| l + 1).unwrap_or(0);
+        let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
             None,
             default_shell,
@@ -378,6 +379,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
             initial_floating_panes_layout.clone(),
             tab_name,
             (vec![], vec![]), // swap layouts
+            should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
             self.main_client_id,
         ));
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::ApplyLayout(
@@ -456,6 +458,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
         let default_shell = None;
         let tab_name = None;
         let tab_index = self.last_opened_tab_index.map(|l| l + 1).unwrap_or(0);
+        let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
             None,
             default_shell,
@@ -463,6 +466,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
             initial_floating_panes_layout.clone(),
             tab_name,
             (vec![], vec![]), // swap layouts
+            should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
             self.main_client_id,
         ));
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::ApplyLayout(
@@ -488,6 +492,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
         for i in 0..pane_count {
             pane_ids.push((i as u32, None));
         }
+        let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::NewTab(
             None,
             default_shell,
@@ -495,6 +500,7 @@ impl MockScreen {
             vec![], // floating_panes_layout
             tab_name,
             (vec![], vec![]), // swap layouts
+            should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
             self.main_client_id,
         ));
         let _ = self.to_screen.send(ScreenInstruction::ApplyLayout(
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
index f3c622dcb..63348c422 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
@@ -53,9 +53,16 @@ pub struct CliArgs {
     pub session: Option<String>,
 
     /// Name of a predefined layout inside the layout directory or the path to a layout file
+    /// if inside a session (or using the --session flag) will be added to the session as a new tab
+    /// or tabs, otherwise will start a new session
     #[clap(short, long, value_parser, overrides_with = "layout")]
     pub layout: Option<PathBuf>,
 
+    /// Name of a predefined layout inside the layout directory or the path to a layout file
+    /// Will always start a new session, even if inside an existing session
+    #[clap(short, long, value_parser, overrides_with = "new_session_with_layout")]
+    pub new_session_with_layout: Option<PathBuf>,
+
     /// Change where zellij looks for the configuration file
     #[clap(short, long, overrides_with = "config", env = ZELLIJ_CONFIG_FILE_ENV, value_parser)]
     pub config: Option<PathBuf>,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
index da1244d3c..ea39135c5 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
@@ -195,6 +195,7 @@ pub enum Action {
         Option<Vec<SwapTiledLayout>>,
         Option<Vec<SwapFloatingLayout>>,
         Option<String>,
+        bool, // should_change_focus_to_new_tab
     ), // the String is the tab name
     /// Do nothing.
     NoOp,
@@ -583,35 +584,58 @@ impl Action {
                         stringified_error
                     })?;
                     let mut tabs = layout.tabs();
-                    if tabs.len() > 1 {
-                        return Err(format!("Tab layout cannot itself have tabs"));
-                    } else if !tabs.is_empty() {
+                    if !tabs.is_empty() {
                         let swap_tiled_layouts = Some(layout.swap_tiled_layouts.clone());
                         let swap_floating_layouts = Some(layout.swap_floating_layouts.clone());
-                        let (tab_name, layout, floating_panes_layout) =
-                            tabs.drain(..).next().unwrap();
-                        let name = tab_name.or(name);
-                        Ok(vec![Action::NewTab(
-                            Some(layout),
-                            floating_panes_layout,
-                            swap_tiled_layouts,
-                            swap_floating_layouts,
-                            name,
-                        )])
+                        let mut new_tab_actions = vec![];
+                        let mut has_focused_tab = tabs
+                            .iter()
+                            .any(|(_, layout, _)| layout.focus.unwrap_or(false));
+                        for (tab_name, layout, floating_panes_layout) in tabs.drain(..) {
+                            let name = tab_name.or_else(|| name.clone());
+                            let should_change_focus_to_new_tab =
+                                layout.focus.unwrap_or_else(|| {
+                                    if !has_focused_tab {
+                                        has_focused_tab = true;
+                                        true
+                                    } else {
+                                        false
+                                    }
+                                });
+                            new_tab_actions.push(Action::NewTab(
+                                Some(layout),
+                                floating_panes_layout,
+                                swap_tiled_layouts.clone(),
+                                swap_floating_layouts.clone(),
+                                name,
+                                should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
+                            ));
+                        }
+                        Ok(new_tab_actions)
                     } else {
                         let swap_tiled_layouts = Some(layout.swap_tiled_layouts.clone());
                         let swap_floating_layouts = Some(layout.swap_floating_layouts.clone());
                         let (layout, floating_panes_layout) = layout.new_tab();
+                        let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
                         Ok(vec![Action::NewTab(
                             Some(layout),
                             floating_panes_layout,
                             swap_tiled_layouts,
                             swap_floating_layouts,
                             name,
+                            should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
                         )])
                     }
                 } else {
-                    Ok(vec![Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, name)])
+                    let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = true;
+                    Ok(vec![Action::NewTab(
+                        None,
+                        vec![],
+                        None,
+                        None,
+                        name,
+                        should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
+                    )])
                 }
             },
             CliAction::PreviousSwapLayout => Ok(vec![Action::PreviousSwapLayout]),
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
index a46d69f58..51b0b3d30 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/kdl/mod.rs
@@ -691,12 +691,20 @@ impl Action {
                 Some(node)
             },
             Action::UndoRenamePane => Some(KdlNode::new("UndoRenamePane")),
-            Action::NewTab(_, _, _, _, name) => {
+            Action::NewTab(_, _, _, _, name, should_change_focus_to_new_tab) => {
                 log::warn!("Converting new tab action without arguments, original action saved to .bak.kdl file");
                 let mut node = KdlNode::new("NewTab");
                 if let Some(name) = name {
                     let mut children = KdlDocument::new();
                     let mut name_node = KdlNode::new("name");
+                    if !should_change_focus_to_new_tab {
+                        let mut should_change_focus_to_new_tab_node =
+                            KdlNode::new("should_change_focus_to_new_tab");
+                        should_change_focus_to_new_tab_node.push(KdlValue::Bool(false));
+                        children
+                            .nodes_mut()
+                            .push(should_change_focus_to_new_tab_node);
+                    }
                     name_node.push(name.clone());
                     children.nodes_mut().push(name_node);
                     node.set_children(children);
@@ -1379,7 +1387,7 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
             "NewTab" => {
                 let command_metadata = action_children.iter().next();
                 if command_metadata.is_none() {
-                    return Ok(Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None));
+                    return Ok(Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true));
                 }
 
                 let current_dir = std::env::current_dir().unwrap_or_else(|_| PathBuf::from("."));
@@ -1438,6 +1446,7 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
                 } else if !tabs.is_empty() {
                     let (tab_name, layout, floating_panes_layout) = tabs.drain(..).next().unwrap();
                     let name = tab_name.or(name);
+                    let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = layout.focus.unwrap_or(true);
 
                     Ok(Action::NewTab(
                         Some(layout),
@@ -1445,9 +1454,11 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
                         swap_tiled_layouts,
                         swap_floating_layouts,
                         name,
+                        should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
                     ))
                 } else {
                     let (layout, floating_panes_layout) = layout.new_tab();
+                    let should_change_focus_to_new_tab = layout.focus.unwrap_or(true);
 
                     Ok(Action::NewTab(
                         Some(layout),
@@ -1455,6 +1466,7 @@ impl TryFrom<(&KdlNode, &Options)> for Action {
                         swap_tiled_layouts,
                         swap_floating_layouts,
                         name,
+                        should_change_focus_to_new_tab,
                     ))
                 }
             },
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs b/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
index d61ddcb8d..9bb8ac7a8 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/plugin_api/action.rs
@@ -313,7 +313,7 @@ impl TryFrom<ProtobufAction> for Action {
                     Some(_) => Err("NewTab should not have a payload"),
                     None => {
                         // we do not serialize the layouts of this action
-                        Ok(Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None))
+                        Ok(Action::NewTab(None, vec![], None, None, None, true))
                     },
                 }
             },
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
index 541a7196c..81ca089c8 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__default_config_with_no_cli_arguments.snap
@@ -1764,6 +1764,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
@@ -5244,6 +5245,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
index af80f7205..8e9c8db39 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_env_vars_override_config_env_vars.snap
@@ -1764,6 +1764,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
@@ -5244,6 +5245,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
index 5c59e9dd2..ee9f43544 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_themes_override_config_themes.snap
@@ -1764,6 +1764,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
@@ -5244,6 +5245,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
index 83edeb6c8..b380f31e9 100644
--- a/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/snapshots/zellij_utils__setup__setup_test__layout_ui_config_overrides_config_ui_config.snap
@@ -1764,6 +1764,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,
@@ -5244,6 +5245,7 @@ Config {
                     None,
                     None,
                     None,
+                    true,
                 ),
                 SwitchToMode(
                     Normal,