diff --git a/src/command/Commands.js b/src/command/Commands.js
index 03b1ec8d271..40eae36b16d 100644
--- a/src/command/Commands.js
+++ b/src/command/Commands.js
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
     exports.CMD_SPLITVIEW_NONE          = "cmd.splitViewNone";          // SidebarView.js               _handleSplitNone()
     exports.CMD_SPLITVIEW_VERTICAL      = "cmd.splitViewVertical";      // SidebarView.js               _handleSplitVertical()
     exports.CMD_SPLITVIEW_HORIZONTAL    = "cmd.splitViewHorizontal";    // SidebarView.js               _handleSplitHorizontal()
+    exports.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS       = "cmd.switchPaneFocus";        // MainViewManager.js           _switchPaneFocus()
 
     // File shell callbacks - string must MATCH string in native code (appshell/command_callbacks.h)
     exports.HELP_ABOUT                  = "help.about";                 // HelpCommandHandlers.js       _handleAboutDialog()
diff --git a/src/nls/root/strings.js b/src/nls/root/strings.js
index a0ee7f9e182..c504e64eb6f 100644
--- a/src/nls/root/strings.js
+++ b/src/nls/root/strings.js
@@ -418,6 +418,7 @@ define({
     "CMD_SHOW_IN_EXPLORER"                : "Show in Explorer",
     "CMD_SHOW_IN_FINDER"                  : "Show in Finder",
     "CMD_SHOW_IN_OS"                      : "Show in OS",
+    "CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS"               : "Switch Pane Focus",
 
     // Help menu commands
     "HELP_MENU"                           : "Help",
diff --git a/src/view/MainViewManager.js b/src/view/MainViewManager.js
index 1b96c2c7938..1ae39be9940 100644
--- a/src/view/MainViewManager.js
+++ b/src/view/MainViewManager.js
@@ -92,7 +92,8 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
         AsyncUtils          = require("utils/Async"),
         ViewUtils           = require("utils/ViewUtils"),
         Resizer             = require("utils/Resizer"),
-        Pane                = require("view/Pane").Pane;
+        Pane                = require("view/Pane").Pane,
+        KeyBindingManager   = brackets.getModule("command/KeyBindingManager");
 
     /**
      * Preference setting name for the MainView Saved State
@@ -844,6 +845,19 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
         return result.promise();
     }
 
+    /**
+     * Switch between panes
+     */
+    function switchPaneFocus() {
+        var $firstPane = $('#first-pane'), $secondPane = $('#second-pane');
+        if($firstPane.hasClass('active-pane')) {
+            $secondPane.click();
+        }
+        else {
+            $firstPane.click();
+        }
+    }
+
     /**
      * DocumentManager.pathDeleted Event handler to remove a file
      * from the MRU list
@@ -1616,6 +1630,10 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
         //  get an event handler for workspace events and we don't listen
         //  to the event before we've been initialized
         WorkspaceManager.on("workspaceUpdateLayout", _updateLayout);
+
+        // Listen to key Alt-W to toggle between panes
+        CommandManager.register(Strings.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS, Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS, switchPaneFocus);
+        KeyBindingManager.addBinding(Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS, {key: 'Alt-W'});
     }
 
     /**
@@ -1658,8 +1676,8 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
 
         return result;
     }
-
-
+    
+    
     /**
      * Setup a ready event to initialize ourself
      */
@@ -1729,6 +1747,7 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
 
     exports.getAllOpenFiles               = getAllOpenFiles;
     exports.focusActivePane               = focusActivePane;
+    exports.switchPaneFocus               = switchPaneFocus;
 
     // Layout
     exports.setLayoutScheme               = setLayoutScheme;
diff --git a/test/spec/MainViewManager-test.js b/test/spec/MainViewManager-test.js
index 4712b04159c..ac36df78757 100644
--- a/test/spec/MainViewManager-test.js
+++ b/test/spec/MainViewManager-test.js
@@ -536,6 +536,34 @@ define(function (require, exports, module) {
                     expect(MainViewManager.getLayoutScheme()).toEqual({rows: 1, columns: 1});
                 });
             });
+            it("should switch pane when Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS is called", function () {
+                runs(function () {
+                    MainViewManager.setLayoutScheme(1, 2);
+                });
+                runs(function () {
+                    $('#first-pane').click();
+                    CommandManager.execute(Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS);
+                    expect(MainViewManager.getActivePaneId()).toEqual("second-pane");
+                });
+                runs(function () {
+                    $('#second-pane').click();
+                    CommandManager.execute(Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS);
+                    expect(MainViewManager.getActivePaneId()).toEqual("first-pane");
+                });
+                runs(function () {
+                    MainViewManager.setLayoutScheme(2, 1);
+                });
+                runs(function () {
+                    $('#first-pane').click();
+                    CommandManager.execute(Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS);
+                    expect(MainViewManager.getActivePaneId()).toEqual("second-pane");
+                });
+                runs(function () {
+                    $('#second-pane').click();
+                    CommandManager.execute(Commands.CMD_SWITCH_PANE_FOCUS);
+                    expect(MainViewManager.getActivePaneId()).toEqual("first-pane");
+                });
+            });
             it("should activate pane when editor gains focus", function () {
                 var editors = {},
                     handler = function (e, doc, editor, paneId) {