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Tab Groups Helper 1.0.30 Requires Restart
by Kevin Jones
Create and manage tab groups in a side-by-side list-view interface, or "Groups Bar" toolbar interface. Single or multi-tab close, bookmark, or move across groups. Search for tabs by title or content in current or all groups. Much more...
![[Warning]](https://addons.cdn.mozilla.net/static/img/developers/test-warning.png?b=2b9ed1e2-5989f55f)
Permissions
Meet the Developer: Kevin Jones
Learn why Tab Groups Helper was created and find out what's next for this add-on.
About this Add-on
NOTICE REGARDING MOZILLA'S PLANS TO IMPLEMENT WEBEXTENSIONS[1]:
When WebExtensions platform is finally in full-force[1], will there be a WebExtensions compatible version of Tab Groups Helper?
At this point I cannot promise anything. I have been making efforts in that direction. Currently there is no API in WebExtensions to provide support for having any kind of tab grouping paradigm. Without this basic backend support, there would be no Tab Groups of any kind. I have been working at trying to get the Mozilla team to approve and add such an API. It looks promising so far and I am pretty certain that at least some level of API will be available to allow a grouping paradigm[2][3], but remains to be seen what will actually happen, how it will be implemented and to what level of support it will provide (which would determine how much work addon developers would have to invest in creating their own tab groups addons.)
Then I will have to create a WebExtensions version of Tab Groups Helper. This will require rebuilding TGH almost from the ground up. It is something that I would like to do, but whether or not it will be practical for me to do that is another question. How this all plays out can take different possible forms. I may be able to work up something rudimentary which could evolve from there over time, just as the original TGH has. The degree of evolution would be very dependent on the evolution of WebExtensions, and what APIs become available. For example, currently it does not appear like there would be any support for having a "groups bar", and if Mozilla does eventually offer an API which would support such a thing, it may be quite some time. IAE, there would be changes in the user experience of Tab Groups Helper.
As I have said, I cannot promise anything. Developing addons is not really my occupation but something I have just done in my "spare time". All I can say is that at this point I am not planning to throw in the towel. But if TGH is to continue on, it remains to be seen how that will evolve, and whether or not my own personal circumstances will allow there to be at least a rudimentary version available in time for the changeover, in order for the transition to be gapless.
[1] https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/
[2] https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1322057
[3] https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1333837
[4] Note that a WebExtensions version of TGH will no longer depend on Tab Groups addon.
END NOTICE
---------------------------------------------------------
Tab Groups is (currently) dependent on "Tab Groups" addon by Quicksaver. In order to use Tab Groups Helper, you must install:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/tab-groups-panorama/
---------------------------------------------------------
Tab Groups Helper is an alternative interface for Firefox Panorama (Tab Groups). User can manage groups using either a list-view side-by-side interface, or "Groups Bar"
Main features:
Functionality:
Group switching, creating, removing
(multi-)tab moving between groups, tab searching across groups
"Suspend" groups for resource conservation, un-suspend when needed
Bookmark groups, restore bookmark folders back into groups
Export/import groups
Automatic session backup, with ability to restore to backup if needed
UI:
"Groups Bar" toolbar interface containing "group tabs"
Management panel interface for full manangement and searching
Toolbar button access - View > Toolbars > Cutomize...
Tab context menu access
Getting started:
Right click on any tab in the tabs bar and find "Tab Groups Helper" in the context menu. OR, install toolbar button (View > Toolbars > Customize).
Quickly switch to another group from tabs bar context menu > Tab Groups Helper menu, or from toolbar button menu. Hovering over a group title in any menu will preview tabs in that group (this can be turned off in Options/Preferences). You can also switch between groups by pressing alt + (0 - 9). (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences)
"Groups Bar"
Use "Groups Bar" toolbar for easily accessible control over group switching, creation, and moving tabs to different groups. Click on the drop-down arrow of a group tab to open menu which provides more robust features.
Right-click in Groups Bar for option to start a new group, placing a new group tab in the Groups Bar. Tabs can be dragged directly from the tabs bar into group tabs to move to a different group. Opening the drop-down menu for a group tab opens a more powerful UI, showing the list of tabs in that group. These tabs can be selected and dragged directly to another group tab, or over the "insert into" menu for more accurate placement into another group. Tabs can also be selected, then the "insert into" menu button clicked, to place tabs into another group without dragging.
Groups Bar can be shown/hidden with alt + "b" command (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences), or by clicking on "Show/Hide Groups Bar" in one of the various UIs.
Position of Groups Bar can be customized (to a degree) where set-ups are favorable. See Options > Groups Bar for more details.
Management Panel
Use management interface for more comprehensive groups/tabs management. This interface can be directly opened from main toolbar button, any of various menus, or by pressing alt + "g". (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences)
With management interface panel open, click on "open" menu button to show more groups or create new ones. By right clicking on an individual group column, you can change what is displayed in that column, or you can delete the group that is shown in there.
Tabs can be moved to other groups (or within same group) by dragging and dropping. Multiple tabs can be selected. The same group can be opened in more than one column for ease of moving tabs within the same group where the group is quite large.
Tabs can be closed individually by clicking the "x", or multiple tabs can be selected and closed simultaneously from the context menu for that group's column.
Enter search string in the textbox, and results will appear in a new column at the left. Checking "all" searches all groups, otherwise, only the current group is searched. Tab titles and urls will be searched; checking "content" searches page content in each loaded tab as well. Tabs can be dragged directly from results column to any other group column.
Other tips:
Click tab count button in a group column to make that group current
Group title can be edited by clicking in title area for column showing that group
Set maximum width of panel by dragging right-hand edge
... (note that panel width will never be larger than is necessary to show displayed
... groups. As more groups are displayed it will expand as needed until reaching
... maximum width setting)
Set column widths by dragging slider at bottom of the panel
For video tutorials see:
Tab Groups Helper Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHM7Osbuhz4
Groups Bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqH1KzsVCF0
Main UI Panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvRLdHbq2Yo
When WebExtensions platform is finally in full-force[1], will there be a WebExtensions compatible version of Tab Groups Helper?
At this point I cannot promise anything. I have been making efforts in that direction. Currently there is no API in WebExtensions to provide support for having any kind of tab grouping paradigm. Without this basic backend support, there would be no Tab Groups of any kind. I have been working at trying to get the Mozilla team to approve and add such an API. It looks promising so far and I am pretty certain that at least some level of API will be available to allow a grouping paradigm[2][3], but remains to be seen what will actually happen, how it will be implemented and to what level of support it will provide (which would determine how much work addon developers would have to invest in creating their own tab groups addons.)
Then I will have to create a WebExtensions version of Tab Groups Helper. This will require rebuilding TGH almost from the ground up. It is something that I would like to do, but whether or not it will be practical for me to do that is another question. How this all plays out can take different possible forms. I may be able to work up something rudimentary which could evolve from there over time, just as the original TGH has. The degree of evolution would be very dependent on the evolution of WebExtensions, and what APIs become available. For example, currently it does not appear like there would be any support for having a "groups bar", and if Mozilla does eventually offer an API which would support such a thing, it may be quite some time. IAE, there would be changes in the user experience of Tab Groups Helper.
As I have said, I cannot promise anything. Developing addons is not really my occupation but something I have just done in my "spare time". All I can say is that at this point I am not planning to throw in the towel. But if TGH is to continue on, it remains to be seen how that will evolve, and whether or not my own personal circumstances will allow there to be at least a rudimentary version available in time for the changeover, in order for the transition to be gapless.
[1] https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/
[2] https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1322057
[3] https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=1333837
[4] Note that a WebExtensions version of TGH will no longer depend on Tab Groups addon.
END NOTICE
---------------------------------------------------------
Tab Groups is (currently) dependent on "Tab Groups" addon by Quicksaver. In order to use Tab Groups Helper, you must install:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-us/firefox/addon/tab-groups-panorama/
---------------------------------------------------------
Tab Groups Helper is an alternative interface for Firefox Panorama (Tab Groups). User can manage groups using either a list-view side-by-side interface, or "Groups Bar"
Main features:
Functionality:
Group switching, creating, removing
(multi-)tab moving between groups, tab searching across groups
"Suspend" groups for resource conservation, un-suspend when needed
Bookmark groups, restore bookmark folders back into groups
Export/import groups
Automatic session backup, with ability to restore to backup if needed
UI:
"Groups Bar" toolbar interface containing "group tabs"
Management panel interface for full manangement and searching
Toolbar button access - View > Toolbars > Cutomize...
Tab context menu access
Getting started:
Right click on any tab in the tabs bar and find "Tab Groups Helper" in the context menu. OR, install toolbar button (View > Toolbars > Customize).
Quickly switch to another group from tabs bar context menu > Tab Groups Helper menu, or from toolbar button menu. Hovering over a group title in any menu will preview tabs in that group (this can be turned off in Options/Preferences). You can also switch between groups by pressing alt + (0 - 9). (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences)
"Groups Bar"
Use "Groups Bar" toolbar for easily accessible control over group switching, creation, and moving tabs to different groups. Click on the drop-down arrow of a group tab to open menu which provides more robust features.
Right-click in Groups Bar for option to start a new group, placing a new group tab in the Groups Bar. Tabs can be dragged directly from the tabs bar into group tabs to move to a different group. Opening the drop-down menu for a group tab opens a more powerful UI, showing the list of tabs in that group. These tabs can be selected and dragged directly to another group tab, or over the "insert into" menu for more accurate placement into another group. Tabs can also be selected, then the "insert into" menu button clicked, to place tabs into another group without dragging.
Groups Bar can be shown/hidden with alt + "b" command (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences), or by clicking on "Show/Hide Groups Bar" in one of the various UIs.
Position of Groups Bar can be customized (to a degree) where set-ups are favorable. See Options > Groups Bar for more details.
Management Panel
Use management interface for more comprehensive groups/tabs management. This interface can be directly opened from main toolbar button, any of various menus, or by pressing alt + "g". (modifier(s) can be changed in Options/Preferences)
With management interface panel open, click on "open" menu button to show more groups or create new ones. By right clicking on an individual group column, you can change what is displayed in that column, or you can delete the group that is shown in there.
Tabs can be moved to other groups (or within same group) by dragging and dropping. Multiple tabs can be selected. The same group can be opened in more than one column for ease of moving tabs within the same group where the group is quite large.
Tabs can be closed individually by clicking the "x", or multiple tabs can be selected and closed simultaneously from the context menu for that group's column.
Enter search string in the textbox, and results will appear in a new column at the left. Checking "all" searches all groups, otherwise, only the current group is searched. Tab titles and urls will be searched; checking "content" searches page content in each loaded tab as well. Tabs can be dragged directly from results column to any other group column.
Other tips:
Click tab count button in a group column to make that group current
Group title can be edited by clicking in title area for column showing that group
Set maximum width of panel by dragging right-hand edge
... (note that panel width will never be larger than is necessary to show displayed
... groups. As more groups are displayed it will expand as needed until reaching
... maximum width setting)
Set column widths by dragging slider at bottom of the panel
For video tutorials see:
Tab Groups Helper Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WHM7Osbuhz4
Groups Bar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqH1KzsVCF0
Main UI Panel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvRLdHbq2Yo
