diff --git a/spyder/app/mainwindow.py b/spyder/app/mainwindow.py
index 7022f8c79cc..7c6bd3d084e 100644
--- a/spyder/app/mainwindow.py
+++ b/spyder/app/mainwindow.py
@@ -1175,6 +1175,7 @@ def add_ipm_action(text, path):
             if isinstance(child, QMenu):
                 try:
                     child.aboutToShow.connect(self.update_edit_menu)
+                    child.aboutToShow.connect(self.update_search_menu)
                 except TypeError:
                     pass
 
@@ -1469,6 +1470,7 @@ def setup_layout(self, default=False):
        
     def setup_default_layouts(self, index, settings):
         """Setup default layouts when run for the first time"""
+        self.maximize_dockwidget(restore=True)
         self.set_window_settings(*settings)
         self.setUpdatesEnabled(False)
 
@@ -2016,20 +2018,13 @@ def get_focus_widget_properties(self):
         """Get properties of focus widget
         Returns tuple (widget, properties) where properties is a tuple of
         booleans: (is_console, not_readonly, readwrite_editor)"""
-        widget = QApplication.focusWidget()
-        from spyder.widgets.shell import ShellBaseWidget
         from spyder.widgets.editor import TextEditBaseWidget
         from spyder.widgets.ipythonconsole import ControlWidget
-
-        # if focused widget isn't valid try the last focused
-        if not isinstance(widget, (ShellBaseWidget, TextEditBaseWidget,
-                                   ControlWidget)):
-            widget = self.previous_focused_widget
+        widget = QApplication.focusWidget()
 
         textedit_properties = None
-        if isinstance(widget, (ShellBaseWidget, TextEditBaseWidget,
-                               ControlWidget)):
-            console = isinstance(widget, (ShellBaseWidget, ControlWidget))
+        if isinstance(widget, (TextEditBaseWidget, ControlWidget)):
+            console = isinstance(widget, ControlWidget)
             not_readonly = not widget.isReadOnly()
             readwrite_editor = not_readonly and not console
             textedit_properties = (console, not_readonly, readwrite_editor)
@@ -2040,7 +2035,8 @@ def update_edit_menu(self):
         widget, textedit_properties = self.get_focus_widget_properties()
         if textedit_properties is None: # widget is not an editor/console
             return
-        #!!! Below this line, widget is expected to be a QPlainTextEdit instance
+        # !!! Below this line, widget is expected to be a QPlainTextEdit
+        #     instance
         console, not_readonly, readwrite_editor = textedit_properties
 
         # Editor has focus and there is no file opened in it
@@ -2073,19 +2069,27 @@ def update_edit_menu(self):
 
     def update_search_menu(self):
         """Update search menu"""
-        if self.menuBar().hasFocus():
-            return
+        # Disabling all actions except the last one
+        # (which is Find in files) to begin with
+        for child in self.search_menu.actions()[:-1]:
+            child.setEnabled(False)
 
         widget, textedit_properties = self.get_focus_widget_properties()
-        for action in self.editor.search_menu_actions:
-            try:
-                action.setEnabled(self.editor.isAncestorOf(widget))
-            except RuntimeError:
-                pass
         if textedit_properties is None: # widget is not an editor/console
             return
-        #!!! Below this line, widget is expected to be a QPlainTextEdit instance
-        _x, _y, readwrite_editor = textedit_properties
+
+        # !!! Below this line, widget is expected to be a QPlainTextEdit
+        #     instance
+        console, not_readonly, readwrite_editor = textedit_properties
+
+        # Find actions only trigger an effect in the Editor
+        if not console:
+            for action in self.search_menu.actions():
+                try:
+                    action.setEnabled(True)
+                except RuntimeError:
+                    pass
+
         # Disable the replace action for read-only files
         self.search_menu_actions[3].setEnabled(readwrite_editor)
 
@@ -2545,13 +2549,12 @@ def global_callback(self):
         action = self.sender()
         callback = from_qvariant(action.data(), to_text_string)
         from spyder.widgets.editor import TextEditBaseWidget
+        from spyder.widgets.ipythonconsole import ControlWidget
 
-        # If focused widget isn't valid try the last focused
-        if not isinstance(widget, TextEditBaseWidget):
-            widget = self.previous_focused_widget
-
-        if isinstance(widget, TextEditBaseWidget):
+        if isinstance(widget, (TextEditBaseWidget, ControlWidget)):
             getattr(widget, callback)()
+        else:
+            return
 
     def redirect_internalshell_stdio(self, state):
         if state:
@@ -2584,11 +2587,10 @@ def execute_in_external_console(self, lines, focus_to_editor):
         to the Editor.
         """
         console = self.ipyconsole
-        console.visibility_changed(True)
-        console.raise_()
+        console.switch_to_plugin()
         console.execute_code(lines)
         if focus_to_editor:
-            self.editor.visibility_changed(True)
+            self.editor.switch_to_plugin()
 
     def open_file(self, fname, external=False):
         """
@@ -2911,7 +2913,8 @@ def restart(self, reset=False):
 
     # ---- Interactive Tours
     def show_tour(self, index):
-        """ """
+        """Show interactive tour."""
+        self.maximize_dockwidget(restore=True)
         frames = self.tours_available[index]
         self.tour.set_tour(index, frames, self)
         self.tour.start_tour()
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/__init__.py b/spyder/plugins/__init__.py
index 5397cc43963..8975ac6fd90 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/__init__.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/__init__.py
@@ -405,10 +405,11 @@ def register_widget_shortcuts(self, widget):
             self.register_shortcut(qshortcut, context, name)
 
     def switch_to_plugin(self):
-        """Switch to plugin
-        This method is called when pressing plugin's shortcut key"""
-        if not self.ismaximized:
-            self.dockwidget.show()
+        """Switch to plugin."""
+        if (self.main.last_plugin is not None and
+                self.main.last_plugin.ismaximized and
+                self.main.last_plugin is not self):
+            self.main.maximize_dockwidget()
         if not self.toggle_view_action.isChecked():
             self.toggle_view_action.setChecked(True)
         self.visibility_changed(True)
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/editor.py b/spyder/plugins/editor.py
index a7b527f3b2d..3db5b5ef862 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/editor.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/editor.py
@@ -417,8 +417,6 @@ def __init__(self, parent, ignore_last_opened_files=False):
         self.pythonfile_dependent_actions = []
         self.dock_toolbar_actions = None
         self.edit_menu_actions = None #XXX: find another way to notify Spyder
-        # (see spyder.py: 'update_edit_menu' method)
-        self.search_menu_actions = None #XXX: same thing ('update_search_menu')
         self.stack_menu_actions = None
         
         # Initialize plugin
@@ -1063,8 +1061,7 @@ def get_plugin_actions(self):
         self.main.edit_toolbar_actions += edit_toolbar_actions
 
         # ---- Search menu/toolbar construction ----
-        self.search_menu_actions = [gotoline_action]
-        self.main.search_menu_actions += self.search_menu_actions
+        self.main.search_menu_actions += [gotoline_action]
         self.main.search_toolbar_actions += [gotoline_action]
           
         # ---- Run menu/toolbar construction ----
@@ -1536,13 +1533,13 @@ def update_warning_menu(self):
         filename = self.get_current_filename()
         for message, line_number in check_results:
             error = 'syntax' in message
-            text = message[:1].upper()+message[1:]
+            text = message[:1].upper() + message[1:]
             icon = ima.icon('error') if error else ima.icon('warning')
-            # QAction.triggered works differently for PySide and PyQt
-            if not API == 'pyside':
-                slot = lambda _checked, _l=line_number: self.load(filename, goto=_l)
-            else:
-                slot = lambda _l=line_number: self.load(filename, goto=_l)
+
+            def slot():
+                self.switch_to_plugin()
+                self.load(filename, goto=line_number)
+
             action = create_action(self, text=text, icon=icon, triggered=slot)
             self.warning_menu.addAction(action)
             
@@ -1569,11 +1566,11 @@ def update_todo_menu(self):
         filename = self.get_current_filename()
         for text, line0 in results:
             icon = ima.icon('todo')
-            # QAction.triggered works differently for PySide and PyQt
-            if not API == 'pyside':
-                slot = lambda _checked, _l=line0: self.load(filename, goto=_l)
-            else:
-                slot = lambda _l=line0: self.load(filename, goto=_l)
+
+            def slot():
+                self.switch_to_plugin()
+                self.load(filename, goto=line0)
+
             action = create_action(self, text=text, icon=icon, triggered=slot)
             self.todo_menu.addAction(action)
         self.update_todo_actions()
@@ -2162,6 +2159,7 @@ def unblockcomment(self):
             editor.unblockcomment()
     @Slot()
     def go_to_next_todo(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editor = self.get_current_editor()
         position = editor.go_to_next_todo()
         filename = self.get_current_filename()
@@ -2169,6 +2167,7 @@ def go_to_next_todo(self):
 
     @Slot()
     def go_to_next_warning(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editor = self.get_current_editor()
         position = editor.go_to_next_warning()
         filename = self.get_current_filename()
@@ -2176,6 +2175,7 @@ def go_to_next_warning(self):
 
     @Slot()
     def go_to_previous_warning(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editor = self.get_current_editor()
         position = editor.go_to_previous_warning()
         filename = self.get_current_filename()
@@ -2203,20 +2203,24 @@ def toggle_eol_chars(self, os_name, checked):
         if checked:
             editor = self.get_current_editor()
             if self.__set_eol_chars:
+                self.switch_to_plugin()
                 editor.set_eol_chars(sourcecode.get_eol_chars_from_os_name(os_name))
 
     @Slot(bool)
     def toggle_show_blanks(self, checked):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editor = self.get_current_editor()
         editor.set_blanks_enabled(checked)
 
     @Slot()
     def remove_trailing_spaces(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editorstack = self.get_current_editorstack()
         editorstack.remove_trailing_spaces()
 
     @Slot()
     def fix_indentation(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         editorstack = self.get_current_editorstack()
         editorstack.fix_indentation()
                     
@@ -2306,10 +2310,12 @@ def __move_cursor_position(self, index_move):
 
     @Slot()
     def go_to_previous_cursor_position(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.__move_cursor_position(-1)
 
     @Slot()
     def go_to_next_cursor_position(self):
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.__move_cursor_position(1)
 
     @Slot()
@@ -2324,6 +2330,7 @@ def set_or_clear_breakpoint(self):
         """Set/Clear breakpoint"""
         editorstack = self.get_current_editorstack()
         if editorstack is not None:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
             editorstack.set_or_clear_breakpoint()
 
     @Slot()
@@ -2331,11 +2338,13 @@ def set_or_edit_conditional_breakpoint(self):
         """Set/Edit conditional breakpoint"""
         editorstack = self.get_current_editorstack()
         if editorstack is not None:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
             editorstack.set_or_edit_conditional_breakpoint()
 
     @Slot()
     def clear_all_breakpoints(self):
         """Clear breakpoints in all files"""
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         clear_all_breakpoints()
         self.breakpoints_saved.emit()
         editorstack = self.get_current_editorstack()
@@ -2356,6 +2365,7 @@ def clear_breakpoint(self, filename, lineno):
                 
     def debug_command(self, command):
         """Debug actions"""
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.main.ipyconsole.write_to_stdin(command)
         focus_widget = self.main.ipyconsole.get_focus_widget()
         if focus_widget:
@@ -2451,6 +2461,7 @@ def set_dialog_size(self, size):
     @Slot()
     def debug_file(self):
         """Debug current script"""
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.run_file(debug=True)
 
     @Slot()
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/help.py b/spyder/plugins/help.py
index f3bb79a9d1a..902f3728378 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/help.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/help.py
@@ -720,25 +720,21 @@ def show_intro_message(self):
 
     def show_rich_text(self, text, collapse=False, img_path=''):
         """Show text in rich mode"""
-        self.visibility_changed(True)
-        self.raise_()
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.switch_to_rich_text()
         context = generate_context(collapse=collapse, img_path=img_path)
         self.render_sphinx_doc(text, context)
 
     def show_plain_text(self, text):
         """Show text in plain mode"""
-        self.visibility_changed(True)
-        self.raise_()
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.switch_to_plain_text()
         self.set_plain_text(text, is_code=False)
 
     @Slot()
     def show_tutorial(self):
         """Show the Spyder tutorial in the Help plugin, opening it if needed"""
-        if not self.dockwidget.isVisible():
-            self.dockwidget.show()
-            self.toggle_view_action.setChecked(True)
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         tutorial_path = get_module_source_path('spyder.utils.help')
         tutorial = osp.join(tutorial_path, 'tutorial.rst')
         text = open(tutorial).read()
@@ -819,8 +815,7 @@ def __eventually_raise_help(self, text, force=False):
                 if (self.console.dockwidget not in dockwidgets and
                         self.main.ipyconsole is not None and
                         self.main.ipyconsole.dockwidget not in dockwidgets):
-                    self.dockwidget.show()
-                    self.dockwidget.raise_()
+                    self.switch_to_plugin()
         self._last_texts[index] = text
 
     def load_history(self, obj=None):
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
index a8148c75b2b..f748bf1f8b2 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/ipythonconsole.py
@@ -659,8 +659,7 @@ class IPythonConsole(SpyderPluginWidget):
                              "required to create IPython consoles. Please "
                              "make it writable.")
 
-    def __init__(self, parent, testing=False, test_dir=None,
-                 test_no_stderr=False):
+    def __init__(self, parent, test_dir=None, test_no_stderr=False):
         """Ipython Console constructor."""
         if PYQT5:
             SpyderPluginWidget.__init__(self, parent, main = parent)
@@ -669,13 +668,6 @@ def __init__(self, parent, testing=False, test_dir=None,
 
         self.tabwidget = None
         self.menu_actions = None
-
-        self.help = None               # Help plugin
-        self.historylog = None         # History log plugin
-        self.variableexplorer = None   # Variable explorer plugin
-        self.editor = None             # Editor plugin
-        self.projects = None           # Projects plugin
-
         self.master_clients = 0
         self.clients = []
         self.filenames = []
@@ -683,24 +675,17 @@ def __init__(self, parent, testing=False, test_dir=None,
         self.create_new_client_if_empty = True
 
         # Attrs for testing
-        self.testing = testing
-        if test_dir is None:
-            self.test_dir = get_temp_dir()
-        else:
-            self.test_dir = test_dir
-
+        self.test_dir = test_dir
         self.test_no_stderr = test_no_stderr
 
         # Initialize plugin
-        if not self.testing:
-            self.initialize_plugin()
+        self.initialize_plugin()
 
         # Create temp dir on testing to save kernel errors
-        if self.testing and test_dir is not None:
+        if self.test_dir is not None:
             if not osp.isdir(osp.join(test_dir)):
                 os.makedirs(osp.join(test_dir))
 
-
         layout = QVBoxLayout()
         self.tabwidget = Tabs(self, self.menu_actions, rename_tabs=True,
                               split_char='/', split_index=0)
@@ -730,8 +715,7 @@ def __init__(self, parent, testing=False, test_dir=None,
         # Find/replace widget
         self.find_widget = FindReplace(self)
         self.find_widget.hide()
-        if not self.testing:
-            self.register_widget_shortcuts(self.find_widget)
+        self.register_widget_shortcuts(self.find_widget)
         layout.addWidget(self.find_widget)
 
         self.setLayout(layout)
@@ -833,10 +817,10 @@ def refresh_plugin(self):
             widgets = []
         self.find_widget.set_editor(control)
         self.tabwidget.set_corner_widgets({Qt.TopRightCorner: widgets})
-        if client and not self.testing:
+        if client:
             sw = client.shellwidget
-            self.variableexplorer.set_shellwidget_from_id(id(sw))
-            self.help.set_shell(sw)
+            self.main.variableexplorer.set_shellwidget_from_id(id(sw))
+            self.main.help.set_shell(sw)
         self.update_tabs_text()
         self.update_plugin_title.emit()
 
@@ -884,31 +868,26 @@ def register_plugin(self):
         """Register plugin in Spyder's main window"""
         self.main.add_dockwidget(self)
 
-        self.help = self.main.help
-        self.historylog = self.main.historylog
-        self.variableexplorer = self.main.variableexplorer
-        self.editor = self.main.editor
-        self.explorer = self.main.explorer
-        self.projects = self.main.projects
-
         self.focus_changed.connect(self.main.plugin_focus_changed)
-        self.edit_goto.connect(self.editor.load)
+        self.edit_goto.connect(self.main.editor.load)
         self.edit_goto[str, int, str, bool].connect(
                          lambda fname, lineno, word, processevents:
-                             self.editor.load(fname, lineno, word,
-                                              processevents=processevents))
-        self.editor.breakpoints_saved.connect(self.set_spyder_breakpoints)
-        self.editor.run_in_current_ipyclient.connect(self.run_script)
+                         self.main.editor.load(fname, lineno, word,
+                                               processevents=processevents))
+        self.main.editor.breakpoints_saved.connect(self.set_spyder_breakpoints)
+        self.main.editor.run_in_current_ipyclient.connect(self.run_script)
         self.main.workingdirectory.set_current_console_wd.connect(
                                      self.set_current_client_working_directory)
 
         self.tabwidget.currentChanged.connect(self.update_working_directory)
 
-        self.explorer.open_interpreter.connect(self.create_client_from_path)
-        self.explorer.run.connect(lambda fname: self.run_script(
+        self.main.explorer.open_interpreter.connect(
+            self.create_client_from_path)
+        self.main.explorer.run.connect(lambda fname: self.run_script(
             fname, osp.dirname(fname), '', False, False, False, True))
-        self.projects.open_interpreter.connect(self.create_client_from_path)
-        self.projects.run.connect(lambda fname: self.run_script(
+        self.main.projects.open_interpreter.connect(
+            self.create_client_from_path)
+        self.main.projects.run.connect(lambda fname: self.run_script(
             fname, osp.dirname(fname), '', False, False, False, True))
 
         self._remove_old_stderr_files()
@@ -1002,8 +981,7 @@ def run_script(self, filename, wdir, args, debug, post_mortem,
                                                       clear_variables))
             except AttributeError:
                 pass
-            self.visibility_changed(True)
-            self.raise_()
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
         else:
             #XXX: not sure it can really happen
             QMessageBox.warning(self, _('Warning'),
@@ -1021,7 +999,7 @@ def set_working_directory(self, dirname):
         """Set current working directory.
         In the workingdirectory and explorer plugins.
         """
-        if dirname and not self.testing:
+        if dirname:
             self.main.workingdirectory.chdir(dirname, refresh_explorer=True,
                                              refresh_console=False)
 
@@ -1093,8 +1071,11 @@ def create_new_client(self, give_focus=True, filename='', is_cython=False):
                               show_elapsed_time=show_elapsed_time,
                               reset_warning=reset_warning,
                               ask_before_restart=ask_before_restart)
-        if self.testing:
+
+        # Change stderr_dir if requested
+        if self.test_dir is not None:
             client.stderr_dir = self.test_dir
+
         self.add_tab(client, name=client.get_name(), filename=filename)
 
         if cf is None:
@@ -1143,12 +1124,7 @@ def create_client_for_kernel(self):
     def connect_client_to_kernel(self, client, is_cython=False):
         """Connect a client to its kernel"""
         connection_file = client.connection_file
-
-        if self.test_no_stderr:
-            stderr_handle = None
-        else:
-            stderr_handle = client.stderr_handle
-
+        stderr_handle = None if self.test_no_stderr else client.stderr_handle
         km, kc = self.create_kernel_manager_and_kernel_client(
                      connection_file,
                      stderr_handle,
@@ -1309,9 +1285,9 @@ def register_client(self, client, give_focus=True):
         cwd_path = ''
         if CONF.get('workingdir', 'console/use_project_or_home_directory'):
             cwd_path = get_home_dir()
-            if (self.projects is not None and
-              self.projects.get_active_project() is not None):
-                cwd_path = self.projects.get_active_project_path()
+            if (self.main.projects is not None and
+                    self.main.projects.get_active_project() is not None):
+                cwd_path = self.main.projects.get_active_project_path()
         elif CONF.get('workingdir', 'console/use_fixed_directory'):
             cwd_path = CONF.get('workingdir', 'console/fixed_directory')
 
@@ -1322,14 +1298,15 @@ def register_client(self, client, give_focus=True):
                 shellwidget.get_cwd()
 
         # Connect text widget to Help
-        if self.help is not None:
-            control.set_help(self.help)
+        if self.main.help is not None:
+            control.set_help(self.main.help)
             control.set_help_enabled(CONF.get('help', 'connect/ipython_console'))
 
         # Connect client to our history log
-        if self.historylog is not None:
-            self.historylog.add_history(client.history_filename)
-            client.append_to_history.connect(self.historylog.append_to_history)
+        if self.main.historylog is not None:
+            self.main.historylog.add_history(client.history_filename)
+            client.append_to_history.connect(
+                self.main.historylog.append_to_history)
         
         # Set font for client
         client.set_font( self.get_plugin_font() )
@@ -1550,9 +1527,8 @@ def create_kernel_spec(self, is_cython=False):
         """Create a kernel spec for our own kernels"""
         # Before creating our kernel spec, we always need to
         # set this value in spyder.ini
-        if not self.testing:
-            CONF.set('main', 'spyder_pythonpath',
-                     self.main.get_spyder_pythonpath())
+        CONF.set('main', 'spyder_pythonpath',
+                 self.main.get_spyder_pythonpath())
         return SpyderKernelSpec(is_cython=is_cython)
 
     def create_kernel_manager_and_kernel_client(self, connection_file,
@@ -1593,8 +1569,8 @@ def create_kernel_manager_and_kernel_client(self, connection_file,
     def restart_kernel(self):
         """Restart kernel of current client."""
         client = self.get_current_client()
-
         if client is not None:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
             client.restart_kernel()
 
     def connect_external_kernel(self, shellwidget):
@@ -1604,14 +1580,14 @@ def connect_external_kernel(self, shellwidget):
         """
         sw = shellwidget
         kc = shellwidget.kernel_client
-        if self.help is not None:
-            self.help.set_shell(sw)
-        if self.variableexplorer is not None:
-            self.variableexplorer.add_shellwidget(sw)
+        if self.main.help is not None:
+            self.main.help.set_shell(sw)
+        if self.main.variableexplorer is not None:
+            self.main.variableexplorer.add_shellwidget(sw)
             sw.set_namespace_view_settings()
             sw.refresh_namespacebrowser()
             kc.stopped_channels.connect(lambda :
-                self.variableexplorer.remove_shellwidget(id(sw)))
+                self.main.variableexplorer.remove_shellwidget(id(sw)))
 
     #------ Public API (for tabs) ---------------------------------------------
     def add_tab(self, widget, name, filename=''):
@@ -1620,9 +1596,8 @@ def add_tab(self, widget, name, filename=''):
         index = self.tabwidget.addTab(widget, name)
         self.filenames.insert(index, filename)
         self.tabwidget.setCurrentIndex(index)
-        if self.dockwidget and not self.ismaximized:
-            self.dockwidget.setVisible(True)
-            self.dockwidget.raise_()
+        if self.dockwidget and not self.main.is_setting_up:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
         self.activateWindow()
         widget.get_control().setFocus()
         self.update_tabs_text()
@@ -1707,19 +1682,19 @@ def go_to_error(self, text):
     def show_intro(self):
         """Show intro to IPython help"""
         from IPython.core.usage import interactive_usage
-        self.help.show_rich_text(interactive_usage)
+        self.main.help.show_rich_text(interactive_usage)
 
     @Slot()
     def show_guiref(self):
         """Show qtconsole help"""
         from qtconsole.usage import gui_reference
-        self.help.show_rich_text(gui_reference, collapse=True)
+        self.main.help.show_rich_text(gui_reference, collapse=True)
 
     @Slot()
     def show_quickref(self):
         """Show IPython Cheat Sheet"""
         from IPython.core.usage import quick_reference
-        self.help.show_plain_text(quick_reference)
+        self.main.help.show_plain_text(quick_reference)
 
     #------ Private API -------------------------------------------------------
     def _new_connection_file(self):
@@ -1743,14 +1718,15 @@ def _new_connection_file(self):
         return cf
 
     def process_started(self, client):
-        if self.help is not None:
-            self.help.set_shell(client.shellwidget)
-        if self.variableexplorer is not None:
-            self.variableexplorer.add_shellwidget(client.shellwidget)
+        if self.main.help is not None:
+            self.main.help.set_shell(client.shellwidget)
+        if self.main.variableexplorer is not None:
+            self.main.variableexplorer.add_shellwidget(client.shellwidget)
 
     def process_finished(self, client):
-        if self.variableexplorer is not None:
-            self.variableexplorer.remove_shellwidget(id(client.shellwidget))
+        if self.main.variableexplorer is not None:
+            self.main.variableexplorer.remove_shellwidget(
+                id(client.shellwidget))
 
     def _create_client_for_kernel(self, connection_file, hostname, sshkey,
                                   password):
@@ -1818,7 +1794,9 @@ def _create_client_for_kernel(self, connection_file, hostname, sshkey,
                               show_elapsed_time=show_elapsed_time,
                               reset_warning=reset_warning,
                               ask_before_restart=ask_before_restart)
-        if self.testing:
+
+        # Change stderr_dir if requested
+        if self.test_dir is not None:
             client.stderr_dir = self.test_dir
 
         # Create kernel client
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/projects.py b/spyder/plugins/projects.py
index a83cd81e012..f7595caed00 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/projects.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/projects.py
@@ -56,7 +56,7 @@ class Projects(ProjectExplorerWidget, SpyderPluginMixin):
     sig_project_closed = Signal(object)
     sig_new_file = Signal(str)
 
-    def __init__(self, parent=None, testing=False):
+    def __init__(self, parent=None):
         ProjectExplorerWidget.__init__(self, parent=parent,
                     name_filters=self.get_option('name_filters'),
                     show_all=self.get_option('show_all'),
@@ -67,15 +67,8 @@ def __init__(self, parent=None, testing=False):
         self.current_active_project = None
         self.latest_project = None
 
-        self.editor = None
-        self.workingdirectory = None
-
-        # For testing
-        self.testing = testing
-
         # Initialize plugin
-        if not self.testing:
-            self.initialize_plugin()
+        self.initialize_plugin()
         self.setup_project(self.get_active_project_path())
 
     #------ SpyderPluginWidget API ---------------------------------------------
@@ -103,7 +96,7 @@ def get_plugin_actions(self):
                                     triggered=self.close_project)
         self.delete_project_action = create_action(self,
                                     _("Delete Project"),
-                                    triggered=self.delete_project)
+                                    triggered=self._delete_project)
         self.clear_recent_projects_action =\
             create_action(self, _("Clear this list"),
                           triggered=self.clear_recent_projects)
@@ -113,54 +106,53 @@ def get_plugin_actions(self):
         self.recent_project_menu = QMenu(_("Recent Projects"), self)
         explorer_action = self.toggle_view_action
 
-        self.main.projects_menu_actions += [self.new_project_action,
-                                            MENU_SEPARATOR,
-                                            self.open_project_action,
-                                            self.close_project_action,
-                                            self.delete_project_action,
-                                            MENU_SEPARATOR,
-                                            self.recent_project_menu,
-                                            explorer_action]
+        if self.main is not None:
+            self.main.projects_menu_actions += [self.new_project_action,
+                                                MENU_SEPARATOR,
+                                                self.open_project_action,
+                                                self.close_project_action,
+                                                self.delete_project_action,
+                                                MENU_SEPARATOR,
+                                                self.recent_project_menu,
+                                                explorer_action]
 
         self.setup_menu_actions()
         return []
 
     def register_plugin(self):
         """Register plugin in Spyder's main window"""
-        self.editor = self.main.editor
-        self.workingdirectory = self.main.workingdirectory
-
         self.main.pythonpath_changed()
         self.main.restore_scrollbar_position.connect(
                                                self.restore_scrollbar_position)
         self.sig_pythonpath_changed.connect(self.main.pythonpath_changed)
-        self.create_module.connect(self.editor.new)
-        self.edit.connect(self.editor.load)
-        self.removed.connect(self.editor.removed)
-        self.removed_tree.connect(self.editor.removed_tree)
-        self.renamed.connect(self.editor.renamed)
-        self.renamed_tree.connect(self.editor.renamed_tree)
-        self.editor.set_projects(self)
+        self.create_module.connect(self.main.editor.new)
+        self.edit.connect(self.main.editor.load)
+        self.removed.connect(self.main.editor.removed)
+        self.removed_tree.connect(self.main.editor.removed_tree)
+        self.renamed.connect(self.main.editor.renamed)
+        self.renamed_tree.connect(self.main.editor.renamed_tree)
+        self.main.editor.set_projects(self)
         self.main.add_dockwidget(self)
 
         self.sig_open_file.connect(self.main.open_file)
 
-        self.sig_new_file.connect(lambda x: self.editor.new(text=x))
+        self.sig_new_file.connect(lambda x: self.main.editor.new(text=x))
 
         # New project connections. Order matters!
         self.sig_project_loaded.connect(
-            lambda v: self.workingdirectory.chdir(v))
+            lambda v: self.main.workingdirectory.chdir(v))
         self.sig_project_loaded.connect(
             lambda v: self.main.set_window_title())
         self.sig_project_loaded.connect(
-            lambda v: self.editor.setup_open_files())
+            lambda v: self.main.editor.setup_open_files())
         self.sig_project_loaded.connect(self.update_explorer)
         self.sig_project_closed[object].connect(
-            lambda v: self.workingdirectory.chdir(self.get_last_working_dir()))
+            lambda v: self.main.workingdirectory.chdir(
+                self.get_last_working_dir()))
         self.sig_project_closed.connect(
             lambda v: self.main.set_window_title())
         self.sig_project_closed.connect(
-            lambda v: self.editor.setup_open_files())
+            lambda v: self.main.editor.setup_open_files())
         self.recent_project_menu.aboutToShow.connect(self.setup_menu_actions)
 
     def refresh_plugin(self):
@@ -173,6 +165,20 @@ def closing_plugin(self, cancelable=False):
         self.closing_widget()
         return True
 
+    def switch_to_plugin(self):
+        """Switch to plugin."""
+        # Unmaxizime currently maximized plugin
+        if (self.main.last_plugin is not None and
+                self.main.last_plugin.ismaximized and
+                self.main.last_plugin is not self):
+            self.main.maximize_dockwidget()
+
+        # Show plugin only if it was already visible
+        if self.get_option('visible_if_project_open'):
+            if not self.toggle_view_action.isChecked():
+                self.toggle_view_action.setChecked(True)
+            self.visibility_changed(True)
+
     #------ Public API ---------------------------------------------------------
     def setup_menu_actions(self):
         """Setup and update the menu actions."""
@@ -182,10 +188,15 @@ def setup_menu_actions(self):
             for project in self.recent_projects:
                 if self.is_valid_project(project):
                     name = project.replace(get_home_dir(), '~')
+
+                    def slot():
+                        self.switch_to_plugin()
+                        self.open_project(path=project)
+
                     action = create_action(self,
                         name,
                         icon = ima.icon('project'),
-                        triggered=lambda v, path=project: self.open_project(path=path))
+                        triggered=slot)
                     self.recent_projects_actions.append(action)
                 else:
                     self.recent_projects.remove(project)
@@ -225,6 +236,7 @@ def edit_project_preferences(self):
     @Slot()
     def create_new_project(self):
         """Create new project"""
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         active_project = self.current_active_project
         dlg = ProjectDialog(self)
         dlg.sig_project_creation_requested.connect(self._create_project)
@@ -245,6 +257,7 @@ def _create_project(self, path):
     def open_project(self, path=None, restart_consoles=True,
                      save_previous_files=True):
         """Open the project located in `path`"""
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
         if path is None:
             basedir = get_home_dir()
             path = getexistingdirectory(parent=self,
@@ -263,23 +276,24 @@ def open_project(self, path=None, restart_consoles=True,
 
         # A project was not open before
         if self.current_active_project is None:
-            if save_previous_files and self.editor is not None:
-                self.editor.save_open_files()
-            if self.editor is not None:
-                self.editor.set_option('last_working_dir', getcwd_or_home())
+            if save_previous_files and self.main.editor is not None:
+                self.main.editor.save_open_files()
+            if self.main.editor is not None:
+                self.main.editor.set_option('last_working_dir',
+                                            getcwd_or_home())
             if self.get_option('visible_if_project_open'):
                 self.show_explorer()
         else:
             # We are switching projects
-            if self.editor is not None:
-                self.set_project_filenames(self.editor.get_open_filenames())
+            if self.main.editor is not None:
+                self.set_project_filenames(
+                    self.main.editor.get_open_filenames())
 
         self.current_active_project = EmptyProject(path)
         self.latest_project = EmptyProject(path)
         self.set_option('current_project_path', self.get_active_project_path())
 
-        if not self.testing:
-            self.setup_menu_actions()
+        self.setup_menu_actions()
         self.sig_project_loaded.emit(path)
         self.sig_pythonpath_changed.emit()
 
@@ -292,12 +306,11 @@ def close_project(self):
         project
         """
         if self.current_active_project:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
             path = self.current_active_project.root_path
             self.current_active_project = None
             self.set_option('current_project_path', None)
-
-            if not self.testing:
-                self.setup_menu_actions()
+            self.setup_menu_actions()
 
             self.sig_project_closed.emit(path)
             self.sig_pythonpath_changed.emit()
@@ -310,8 +323,15 @@ def close_project(self):
             self.clear()
             self.restart_consoles()
 
-            if self.editor is not None:
-                self.set_project_filenames(self.editor.get_open_filenames())
+            if self.main.editor is not None:
+                self.set_project_filenames(
+                    self.main.editor.get_open_filenames())
+
+    def _delete_project(self):
+        """Delete current project."""
+        if self.current_active_project:
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
+            self.delete_project()
 
     def clear_recent_projects(self):
         """Clear the list of recent projects"""
@@ -374,8 +394,8 @@ def get_pythonpath(self, at_start=False):
 
     def get_last_working_dir(self):
         """Get the path of the last working directory"""
-        return self.editor.get_option('last_working_dir',
-                                      default=getcwd_or_home())
+        return self.main.editor.get_option('last_working_dir',
+                                           default=getcwd_or_home())
 
     def save_config(self):
         """
@@ -422,7 +442,7 @@ def show_explorer(self):
 
     def restart_consoles(self):
         """Restart consoles when closing, opening and switching projects"""
-        if not self.testing and self.main.ipyconsole is not None:
+        if self.main.ipyconsole is not None:
             self.main.ipyconsole.restart()
 
     def is_valid_project(self, path):
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_help.py b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_help.py
index 91431154080..494eddc81f8 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_help.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_help.py
@@ -107,21 +107,14 @@ def test_help_opens_when_show_tutorial_unit(help_plugin, qtbot):
     MockDockwidget = MagicMock()
     MockDockwidget.return_value.isVisible.return_value = False
     mockDockwidget_instance = MockDockwidget()
-
-    MockAction = Mock()
-    mock_toggle_view_action = MockAction()
     mock_show_rich_text = Mock()
 
     help_plugin.dockwidget = mockDockwidget_instance
-    help_plugin.toggle_view_action = mock_toggle_view_action
     help_plugin.show_rich_text = mock_show_rich_text
 
     help_plugin.show_tutorial()
     qtbot.wait(100)
 
-    assert mockDockwidget_instance.show.call_count == 1
-    assert mock_toggle_view_action.setChecked.call_count == 1
-    mock_toggle_view_action.setChecked.assert_called_once_with(True)
     assert mock_show_rich_text.call_count == 1
 
     MockDockwidget.return_value.isVisible.return_value = True
@@ -130,8 +123,6 @@ def test_help_opens_when_show_tutorial_unit(help_plugin, qtbot):
 
     help_plugin.show_tutorial()
     qtbot.wait(100)
-    assert mockDockwidget_instance.show.call_count == 1
-    assert mock_toggle_view_action.setChecked.call_count == 1
     assert mock_show_rich_text.call_count == 2
 
 
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_ipythonconsole.py b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_ipythonconsole.py
index 4e89a3eb288..af0ab73e883 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_ipythonconsole.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_ipythonconsole.py
@@ -18,6 +18,10 @@
 import sys
 import tempfile
 from textwrap import dedent
+try:
+    from unittest.mock import Mock
+except ImportError:
+    from mock import Mock  # Python 2
 
 # Third party imports
 import cloudpickle
@@ -28,7 +32,7 @@
 from qtpy import PYQT5
 from qtpy.QtCore import Qt
 from qtpy.QtWebEngineWidgets import WEBENGINE
-from qtpy.QtWidgets import QMessageBox
+from qtpy.QtWidgets import QMessageBox, QWidget
 
 # Local imports
 from spyder.config.gui import get_color_scheme
@@ -46,7 +50,6 @@
 SHELL_TIMEOUT = 20000
 TEMP_DIRECTORY = tempfile.gettempdir()
 NON_ASCII_DIR = osp.join(TEMP_DIRECTORY, u'測試', u'اختبار')
-ASCII_DIR = osp.join(TEMP_DIRECTORY, 'username')
 
 
 # =============================================================================
@@ -77,6 +80,14 @@ class FaultyKernelSpec(KernelSpec):
 @pytest.fixture
 def ipyconsole(qtbot, request):
     """IPython console fixture."""
+
+    class MainWindowMock(QWidget):
+        def __getattr__(self, attr):
+            if attr == 'consoles_menu_actions':
+                return []
+            else:
+                return Mock()
+
     # Tests assume inline backend
     CONF.set('ipython_console', 'pylab/backend', 0)
 
@@ -85,7 +96,7 @@ def ipyconsole(qtbot, request):
     if non_ascii_dir:
         test_dir = NON_ASCII_DIR
     else:
-        test_dir = ASCII_DIR
+        test_dir = None
 
     # Instruct the console to not use a stderr file
     no_stderr_file = request.node.get_marker('no_stderr_file')
@@ -100,10 +111,10 @@ def ipyconsole(qtbot, request):
         CONF.set('ipython_console', 'pylab/backend', 1)
 
     # Create the console and a new client
-    console = IPythonConsole(parent=None,
-                             testing=True,
+    console = IPythonConsole(parent=MainWindowMock(),
                              test_dir=test_dir,
                              test_no_stderr=test_no_stderr)
+    console.dockwidget = Mock()
     console.create_new_client()
 
     # Close callback
diff --git a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
index 7b4bf6ded76..2edf6277bb3 100644
--- a/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
+++ b/spyder/plugins/tests/test_projects.py
@@ -10,6 +10,12 @@
 Tests for the Projects plugin.
 """
 
+# Standard library imports
+try:
+    from unittest.mock import Mock
+except ImportError:
+    from mock import Mock  # Python 2
+
 # Third party imports
 import pytest
 
@@ -23,21 +29,31 @@
 # Fixtures
 # =============================================================================
 @pytest.fixture
-def projects(qtbot):
-    """Projects plugin fixture"""
-    projects = Projects(parent=None, testing=True)
-    qtbot.addWidget(projects)
-    return projects
+def projects(qtbot, mocker):
+    """Projects plugin fixture."""
 
+    class MainWindowMock(object):
+        def __getattr__(self, attr):
+            if attr == 'ipyconsole' or attr == 'editor':
+                return None
+            else:
+                return Mock()
 
-@pytest.fixture
-def projects_with_dockwindow(projects, mocker):
-    """Fixture for Projects plugin with a dockwindow"""
+    # Create plugin
+    projects = Projects(parent=None)
+
+    # Patching necessary to test visible_if_project_open
     projects.shortcut = None
     mocker.patch.object(spyder.plugins.SpyderDockWidget,
                         'install_tab_event_filter')
     mocker.patch.object(projects, 'toggle_view_action')
     projects.create_dockwidget()
+
+    # This can only be done at this point
+    projects.main = MainWindowMock()
+
+    qtbot.addWidget(projects)
+    projects.show()
     return projects
 
 
@@ -61,12 +77,9 @@ def test_open_project(projects, tmpdir, test_directory):
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('value', [True, False])
-def test_close_project_sets_visible_config(projects_with_dockwindow, tmpdir,
-                                           value):
+def test_close_project_sets_visible_config(projects, tmpdir, value):
     """Test that when project is closed, the config option
     visible_if_project_open is set to the correct value."""
-    projects = projects_with_dockwindow
-
     # Set config to opposite value so that we can check that it's set correctly
     projects.set_option('visible_if_project_open', not value)
 
@@ -80,11 +93,9 @@ def test_close_project_sets_visible_config(projects_with_dockwindow, tmpdir,
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('value', [True, False])
-def test_closing_plugin_sets_visible_config(
-        projects_with_dockwindow, tmpdir, value):
+def test_closing_plugin_sets_visible_config(projects, tmpdir, value):
     """Test that closing_plugin() sets config option visible_if_project_open
     if a project is open."""
-    projects = projects_with_dockwindow
     projects.set_option('visible_if_project_open', not value)
     projects.closing_plugin()
 
@@ -101,11 +112,9 @@ def test_closing_plugin_sets_visible_config(
 
 
 @pytest.mark.parametrize('value', [True, False])
-def test_open_project_uses_visible_config(
-        projects_with_dockwindow, tmpdir, value):
+def test_open_project_uses_visible_config(projects, tmpdir, value):
     """Test that when a project is opened, the project explorer is only opened
     if the config option visible_if_project_open is set."""
-    projects = projects_with_dockwindow
     projects.set_option('visible_if_project_open', value)
     projects.open_project(path=to_text_string(tmpdir))
     assert projects.dockwidget.isVisible() == value
diff --git a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/namespacebrowser.py b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/namespacebrowser.py
index 483263eef8b..0256641e5ff 100644
--- a/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/namespacebrowser.py
+++ b/spyder/widgets/ipythonconsole/namespacebrowser.py
@@ -70,9 +70,12 @@ def refresh_namespacebrowser(self):
 
     def set_namespace_view_settings(self):
         """Set the namespace view settings"""
-        settings = to_text_string(self.namespacebrowser.get_view_settings())
-        code = u"get_ipython().kernel.namespace_view_settings = %s" % settings
-        self.silent_execute(code)
+        if self.namespacebrowser:
+            settings = to_text_string(
+                self.namespacebrowser.get_view_settings())
+            code =(u"get_ipython().kernel.namespace_view_settings = %s" %
+                   settings)
+            self.silent_execute(code)
 
     def get_value(self, name):
         """Ask kernel for a value"""
diff --git a/spyder_breakpoints/breakpoints.py b/spyder_breakpoints/breakpoints.py
index 8203bec8f5d..90561abf340 100644
--- a/spyder_breakpoints/breakpoints.py
+++ b/spyder_breakpoints/breakpoints.py
@@ -98,7 +98,4 @@ def apply_plugin_settings(self, options):
         
     def show(self):
         """Show the breakpoints dockwidget"""
-        if self.dockwidget and not self.ismaximized:
-            self.dockwidget.setVisible(True)
-            self.dockwidget.setFocus()
-            self.dockwidget.raise_()
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
diff --git a/spyder_profiler/profiler.py b/spyder_profiler/profiler.py
index 19c01bd7a00..8aa062b347f 100644
--- a/spyder_profiler/profiler.py
+++ b/spyder_profiler/profiler.py
@@ -129,6 +129,7 @@ def apply_plugin_settings(self, options):
     def run_profiler(self):
         """Run profiler"""
         if self.main.editor.save():
+            self.switch_to_plugin()
             self.analyze(self.main.editor.get_current_filename())
 
     def analyze(self, filename):
diff --git a/spyder_pylint/pylint.py b/spyder_pylint/pylint.py
index 94127ff20b0..555d4046e54 100644
--- a/spyder_pylint/pylint.py
+++ b/spyder_pylint/pylint.py
@@ -168,10 +168,11 @@ def change_history_depth(self):
     @Slot()
     def run_pylint(self):
         """Run pylint code analysis"""
-        if self.get_option('save_before', True)\
-           and not self.main.editor.save():
+        if (self.get_option('save_before', True)
+                and not self.main.editor.save()):
             return
-        self.analyze( self.main.editor.get_current_filename() )
+        self.switch_to_plugin()
+        self.analyze(self.main.editor.get_current_filename())
         
     def analyze(self, filename):
         """Reimplement analyze method"""