Save Tab Groups as Bookmarks Folders in Chrome: A Highly Requested Feature
Managing multiple tabs in Google Chrome can quickly become overwhelming. Tab groups offer a solution, but saving these groups for later use isn't as straightforward as it should be. A recent proposal on the Chromium-discuss forum highlights a much-needed feature: saving tab groups directly as bookmarks folders.
Pavel Lučivňák raised the issue, emphasizing the current limitations and proposing a user-friendly solution. Let's explore the problem and the potential benefits of this enhancement.
The Challenge: Managing Tab Groups Effectively
Many users find themselves with numerous tabs open, some organized into groups, that still clutter the browser window. When you're done with a project or research session, you might want to save the entire tab group for future reference. Currently, Chrome's built-in options fall short:
- Horizontal Space: Even with tab groups, numerous open tabs consume valuable screen real estate.
- Experimental Feature: The
chrome://flags/#tab-groups-savefeature saves groups to the Bookmarks Bar but has limitations. It still occupies horizontal space and may not be reliable (as it's experimental). - Data Loss: Saved groups via the experimental feature can disappear after an OS reboot.
The Proposed Solution: Static Snapshots as Bookmark Folders
The proposed solution involves creating a static snapshot of a tab group and saving it as a folder in your bookmarks. This provides several advantages:
- Organization: Tab groups are neatly stored away as bookmarks folders, decluttering your active browsing session.
- Accessibility: Easily reopen entire tab groups from the bookmarks folder whenever needed.
- User Choice: Users can choose where to save the folder and whether to overwrite an existing one.
How It Would Work
- Save Group: A "Save Group to bookmarks" option creates a static copy as a folder.
- Location Choice: You select the bookmark folder location.
- Reopening: Opening the bookmark folder recreates the tab group (creates a new tab group if it's already opened).
While opening a bookmarks folder as a tab group will make a new tab group if the original one is already opened(creating duplicates), this approach is simple to implement and user-friendly.
Why This Matters: Enhanced Workflow and Productivity
Saving tab groups as bookmarks folders streamlines workflows. Imagine researching a specific topic, grouping all relevant tabs, and then saving that group as a bookmarks folder. Later, you can instantly reopen the entire research set with a single click.
Call for Feedback: Shaping the Future of Chrome
The Chromium team is seeking feedback on this proposal. Your input can help prioritize and refine this feature, making Chrome an even more efficient and user-friendly browser. Would you like to see this feature implemented?
