iTerm2 does not take the focus with the hotkey window

I have setup a new Mac with iTerm and the hotkey window shortcut (MacOS Catalina).

It all works well, except that the hotkey window does not take the focus when it opens. I mean that I can type commands rightaway, but the active application does not change.

E.g. if I am in Firefox and hit the shortcut, then the Firefox menus are still active.

The problem with that is that my IDE (Intellij) does not register that the focus changed to another app, and does not save file changes or refresh files from disk, which makes programming very difficult.

I know it used to work on my former machine. I suspect I need to configure iTerm correctly.

Here is how the hotkey shortcut is configured:

Solution 1:

This one had me too. Just untick "Floating window" and restart iTerm2.

Full directions:

• MENU: iterm2
• MENU ITEM: Preferences...
• TAB: Profiles
• LIST ITEM: [Your Hotkey Profile Name]
• TAB: Keys
• BUTTON: Configure Hotkey Window
• CHECKBOX: Floating Window <= UNCHECK THIS