Enabling Code Folding Bar in Xcode

Question

How to enable the code folding bar next to the line numbers?

I googled "code folding Mac"; it's all about triggering code folding and unfolding, but nothing about enabling the bar.

I have tried using Editor -> Code Folding -> Fold/Unfold to fold and unfold codes, but I don't have the vertical bar there next to the line numbers; so, I have the button to click to fold and unfold.

How can I enable that bar?

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Answer 1

I always encounter this that suddenly I accidentally hide the Code folding ribon. So from @PetahChristian's answer, I captured it with screenshot.

Xcode > Settings > Text Editing > Check "Code Folding Ribbon"

You may also access Settings through shortcut command + ,

Answer 2

Go to Preferences -> Text Editing, and click Show code folding ribbon.

Answer 3

Code folding was disabled in Xcode 9 beta 1, which is working now, in Xcode 9 Beta5 according to beta release note: Resolved in Xcode 9 beta 5 – IDE

Here is how:

1. Press and hold ⌘ (command) button in keyboard and move/hover mouse cursor on any (start or end) braces. It will automatically highlight, block area.
2. Keep (hold) ⌘ (command) button in pressed condition and click on highlighted area. It will enable quick menu popover window with Fold option.
3. Select Fold from menu list. It will fold your code and shows 3 dots, folding/covering entire block.
4. Now, to again unfold your code block, release ⌘ (command) button and click on 3 dots folding a block.

For easy understanding, look at this snapshot:

It's all keyboard short cuts are also working.

Fold                          ⌥ ⌘ ←      option + command + left arrow
Unfold                        ⌥ ⌘ →      option + command + right arrow
Unfold All                    ⌥ U        option + U
Fold Methods & Functions      ⌥ ⌘ ↑      option + command + up arrow
Unfold Methods & Functions    ⌥ ⌘ ↓      option + command + down arrow
Fold Comment Blocks           ⌃ ⇧ ⌘ ↑    control + shift + command + up
Unfold Comment Blocks         ⌃ ⇧ ⌘ ↓    control + shift + command + down
Focus Follows Selection       ⌃ ⌥ ⌘ F    control + option + command + F
Fold All                      ⌘ ⌥ ⇧ ←    command + option + shift + left
Unfold All                    ⌘ ⌥ ⇧ →    command + option + shift + left

Code folding options from Xcode Menu:

Menubar ► Editor ► Code Folding ► "Here is list of code folding options"

Here is ref snapshot:

Same options from Xcode Short-cut list:

Menubar ► Xcode ► Preferences ► Key Bindings ► "Here is list of code folding short-keys"

Answer 4

Updated Answer for Xcode 12 and above Code folding ribbon is quite useful and easy to view code scope.

Go to Preferences -> Text Editing -> Display, and click on Code folding ribbon