diff --git a/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/contributions/open-sketch-files.ts b/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/contributions/open-sketch-files.ts
index 237ab0cb0..6d4ffa600 100644
--- a/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/contributions/open-sketch-files.ts
+++ b/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/contributions/open-sketch-files.ts
@@ -20,7 +20,8 @@ import { DisposableCollection } from '@theia/core/lib/common/disposable';
 export class OpenSketchFiles extends SketchContribution {
   override registerCommands(registry: CommandRegistry): void {
     registry.registerCommand(OpenSketchFiles.Commands.OPEN_SKETCH_FILES, {
-      execute: (uri: URI) => this.openSketchFiles(uri),
+      execute: (uri: URI, focusMainSketchFile) =>
+        this.openSketchFiles(uri, focusMainSketchFile),
     });
     registry.registerCommand(OpenSketchFiles.Commands.ENSURE_OPENED, {
       execute: (
@@ -33,13 +34,19 @@ export class OpenSketchFiles extends SketchContribution {
     });
   }
 
-  private async openSketchFiles(uri: URI): Promise<void> {
+  private async openSketchFiles(
+    uri: URI,
+    focusMainSketchFile = false
+  ): Promise<void> {
     try {
       const sketch = await this.sketchService.loadSketch(uri.toString());
       const { mainFileUri, rootFolderFileUris } = sketch;
       for (const uri of [mainFileUri, ...rootFolderFileUris]) {
         await this.ensureOpened(uri);
       }
+      if (focusMainSketchFile) {
+        await this.ensureOpened(mainFileUri, true, { mode: 'activate' });
+      }
       if (mainFileUri.endsWith('.pde')) {
         const message = nls.localize(
           'arduino/common/oldFormat',
@@ -126,7 +133,7 @@ export class OpenSketchFiles extends SketchContribution {
     uri: string,
     forceOpen = false,
     options?: EditorOpenerOptions
-  ): Promise<unknown> {
+  ): Promise<EditorWidget | undefined> {
     const widget = this.editorManager.all.find(
       (widget) => widget.editor.uri.toString() === uri
     );
@@ -190,17 +197,18 @@ export class OpenSketchFiles extends SketchContribution {
       });
 
     const timeout = 5_000; // number of ms IDE2 waits for the editor to show up in the UI
-    const result = await Promise.race([
+    const result: EditorWidget | undefined | 'timeout' = await Promise.race([
       deferred.promise,
       wait(timeout).then(() => {
         disposables.dispose();
-        return 'timeout';
+        return 'timeout' as const;
       }),
     ]);
     if (result === 'timeout') {
       console.warn(
         `Timeout after ${timeout} millis. The editor has not shown up in time. URI: ${uri}`
       );
+      return undefined;
     }
     return result;
   }
diff --git a/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/theia/core/frontend-application.ts b/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/theia/core/frontend-application.ts
index cb1a96206..4b29df155 100644
--- a/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/theia/core/frontend-application.ts
+++ b/arduino-ide-extension/src/browser/theia/core/frontend-application.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,4 @@
 import { injectable, inject } from '@theia/core/shared/inversify';
-import { FileService } from '@theia/filesystem/lib/browser/file-service';
 import { CommandService } from '@theia/core/lib/common/command';
 import { WorkspaceService } from '@theia/workspace/lib/browser/workspace-service';
 import { FrontendApplication as TheiaFrontendApplication } from '@theia/core/lib/browser/frontend-application';
@@ -8,17 +7,16 @@ import { OpenSketchFiles } from '../../contributions/open-sketch-files';
 
 @injectable()
 export class FrontendApplication extends TheiaFrontendApplication {
-  @inject(FileService)
-  protected readonly fileService: FileService;
-
   @inject(WorkspaceService)
-  protected readonly workspaceService: WorkspaceService;
+  private readonly workspaceService: WorkspaceService;
 
   @inject(CommandService)
-  protected readonly commandService: CommandService;
+  private readonly commandService: CommandService;
 
   @inject(SketchesService)
-  protected readonly sketchesService: SketchesService;
+  private readonly sketchesService: SketchesService;
+
+  private layoutWasRestored = false;
 
   protected override async initializeLayout(): Promise<void> {
     await super.initializeLayout();
@@ -26,10 +24,16 @@ export class FrontendApplication extends TheiaFrontendApplication {
       for (const root of roots) {
         await this.commandService.executeCommand(
           OpenSketchFiles.Commands.OPEN_SKETCH_FILES.id,
-          root.resource
+          root.resource,
+          !this.layoutWasRestored
         );
         this.sketchesService.markAsRecentlyOpened(root.resource.toString()); // no await, will get the notification later and rebuild the menu
       }
     });
   }
+
+  protected override async restoreLayout(): Promise<boolean> {
+    this.layoutWasRestored = await super.restoreLayout();
+    return this.layoutWasRestored;
+  }
 }