👋 From the creator

Built for myself. Shared with everyone.

I wanted a new tab that actually does stuff. Couldn't find one I liked, so I built it. I use 1stTab every day and keep adding features I personally want — the roadmap is my to-do list.

It's open beta, so Plus is free right now — use code 1STTAB-BETA-PLUS in Settings → Plus. I'll post 30 days notice here before that changes.

Bugs? Tell me. Feature ideas? Tell me louder. Coffee? Always appreciated. ☕

Add to Chrome — free ☕ Buy me a coffee Report a Bug Request a Feature
Latest Release

v3.0 — The Side Panel & Interface Redesign

May 28, 2026 · Chrome Web Store

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A massive visual and functional update to 1stTab. We've switched back to the native Chrome Side Panel API, introduced a space-saving Gmail-style icon navigation bar, fixed page flicker issues, and implemented robust system resources, tab management, and Google integrations for Plus members.

Interface & Navigation

  • Gmail-Style Icon Sidebar — collapsible panel navigation keeping icons visible
  • Drill-down Launcher Grid — new home screen grid for faster panel navigation
  • Auto-open on Install — smooth onboarding experience for new users
  • Dynamic Responsive Width — nav shrinks and expands automatically between 56px and 72px

Performance & Visuals

  • Zero Flicker Design — forced background styling (#f6f8fc) to eliminate white screen flashes
  • Clean Layouts — centered 44x44px navigation buttons, flush edge-to-edge styling
  • State Reset on Load — panel resets to icons-only state automatically upon reopening

Side Panel Features

  • Tab Manager — live search, group muting, and instant tabs switching
  • System Monitor — live CPU, memory, and storage metrics directly in the sidebar
  • AI Bookmark Assistant — ask questions and organize your bookmarks locally
  • Google Calendar & Tasks — premium sidebar agenda integration Plus

Technical Architecture

  • Chrome Manifest V3 — migrated fully to secure modern extension guidelines
  • Native SidePanel Integration — globally accessible from any page via shortcut
  • Google Cloud Functions — backend infrastructure for license and premium sync

Built with ❤️ in open beta.

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Older Release

v1.0 — Initial Launch

May 6, 2026 · Chrome Web Store

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The first public release of 1stTab. Built in a weekend, shipped to the Chrome Web Store with bookmarks, world clocks, weather, and eight arcade themes. Everything stored in localStorage, React 18 + Babel, Manifest V2.

Dashboard

  • Two-column widget layout
  • Drag-and-drop widget reordering
  • Custom greeting with your display name
  • Google search bar in the top bar
  • Background picker — 6 built-in gradients + upload your own (up to 5)
  • Settings dialog for theme, background, profile, and weather

Bookmarks

  • Visual grid with favicon icons
  • List view toggle
  • Folder tabs for organisation
  • Pinned strip for quick-access shortcuts
  • Live filter / search
  • Separate Bookmarks Manager page — tree view, drag-reorder, import/export JSON

Widgets

  • World Clocks — local time + up to 3 additional time zones
  • Weather — current conditions + 5-day forecast, °C/°F toggle (Open-Meteo)

Themes

  • Material Light
  • Material Dark
  • Arcade Mode — 8 retro cabinet palettes with CRT scanline effect: Synthwave, Pac-Maze, Game Boy, Galaga, Tron, Hot Lava, Space Invaders, Donkey Kong

Technical

  • Chrome Manifest V2 (migrated to V3 the following day)
  • React 18 + Babel, all data in localStorage
  • Dedicated pages: Bookmarks Manager, Settings

More on the way — tell me what you want.

Install now ☕ Buy me a coffee