diff --git a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
index a70e86dfec1..f085647cff1 100644
--- a/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
+++ b/doc/nvim-tree-lua.txt
@@ -1608,6 +1608,15 @@ node.open.vertical()                      *nvim-tree-api.node.open.vertical()*
 node.open.horizontal()                  *nvim-tree-api.node.open.horizontal()*
     |nvim-tree-api.node.edit()|, file will be opened in a new horizontal split.
 
+node.open.drop()                              *nvim-tree-api.node.open.drop()*
+    Switch to window with selected file if it exists.
+    Open file otherwise.
+    See: `:h :drop`.
+
+    File:   open file using `:drop`
+    Folder: expand or collapse
+    Root:   change directory up
+
 node.open.tab()                                *nvim-tree-api.node.open.tab()*
     |nvim-tree-api.node.edit()|, file will be opened in a new tab.
 
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
index 6990c89662e..ab9cc1c1853 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/actions/node/open-file.lua
@@ -160,6 +160,13 @@ local function open_file_in_tab(filename)
   vim.cmd("tabe " .. vim.fn.fnameescape(filename))
 end
 
+local function drop(filename)
+  if M.quit_on_open then
+    view.close()
+  end
+  vim.cmd("drop " .. vim.fn.fnameescape(filename))
+end
+
 local function tab_drop(filename)
   if M.quit_on_open then
     view.close()
@@ -303,6 +310,10 @@ function M.fn(mode, filename)
     return open_file_in_tab(filename)
   end
 
+  if mode == "drop" then
+    return drop(filename)
+  end
+
   if mode == "tab_drop" then
     return tab_drop(filename)
   end
diff --git a/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua b/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
index a4614eee5d0..24b5d1440a5 100644
--- a/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
+++ b/lua/nvim-tree/api.lua
@@ -162,6 +162,7 @@ local function open_preview(node)
 end
 
 Api.node.open.edit = wrap_node(open_or_expand_or_dir_up "edit")
+Api.node.open.drop = wrap_node(open_or_expand_or_dir_up "drop")
 Api.node.open.tab_drop = wrap_node(open_or_expand_or_dir_up "tab_drop")
 Api.node.open.replace_tree_buffer = wrap_node(open_or_expand_or_dir_up "edit_in_place")
 Api.node.open.no_window_picker = wrap_node(open_or_expand_or_dir_up "edit_no_picker")