Freedom251 › Tab Management Software
Tab Wrangler
What Tab Wrangler is
Tab Wrangler is a free browser extension that automatically closes tabs after they have been inactive for a while. The default wait is one hour, and users can set a minimum number of open tabs before automatic closing begins or pause it. Closed tabs are collected in Tab Corral, a searchable, sortable list where they can be restored with one click. Some restored tabs retain browsing history and scroll position, within the browser’s limit of its 25 most recently closed tabs. Users can lock individual tabs or whole windows, and set the extension to protect tabs from specified sites. Audio-playing tabs and tabs in a group can also be protected as options, while active and pinned tabs are always protected. Other settings include keyboard shortcuts and importing or exporting saved tabs and preferences. Tab Wrangler is available as an extension for Chrome and Firefox. Settings may sync through a browser account when browser sync is enabled, but closed tabs stay on the device. The developer states that it sends no user or usage data and has no tracking, analytics or advertisements. The extension can read tab titles and URLs, but not page contents. The number of closed tabs it can save depends on the browser’s storage quota.
Who it suits
Tab Wrangler suits Chrome or Firefox users who want inactive tabs to close automatically and remain easy to find and restore. It also fits users who want controls for protecting selected tabs, windows or sites.
What it does well
- Free Chrome and Firefox extensions.
- Searchable, sortable list of closed tabs with one-click restoration.
- Users can protect tabs, windows and specified sites.
- Can pause automatic closing and set a minimum open-tab count.
- Developer states it has no tracking, analytics or advertisements.
What to know first
- Saved-tab capacity depends on the browser’s storage quota.
- Closed tabs are stored locally and do not sync.
- Some restoration details are subject to a 25-tab browser limit.
- Tab group protection needs the standard chrome.tabGroups API; Vivaldi Tab Stacks are unsupported.
Limits
The maximum number of saved closed tabs depends on the browser’s storage quota. Session restoration is subject to the browser’s limit of its 25 most recently closed tabs.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Tab Wrangler | Chrome and Firefox browser extension | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 7 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Tab Wrangler project page on GitHub.
- Install the extension for Chrome or Firefox.
- Set the inactivity timeout or minimum number of open tabs before closing starts.
- Choose any tabs or windows to lock, or configure site, audio or tab group protection.
- Enable browser sync if you want settings to sync through your browser account.
Verdict
Choose Tab Wrangler if you want inactive tabs closed automatically with a searchable list for finding and restoring them. Look elsewhere if you need closed tabs to sync across devices, since they remain local, or if you rely on Vivaldi Tab Stacks for tab group protection.
Questions
Is Tab Wrangler free?
Yes. The listed Tab Wrangler plan costs nothing.
Which browsers does it support?
The project provides extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Does it sync across devices?
Settings can sync through a browser account when browser sync is enabled. Closed tabs are stored locally and are not synced.
Can closed tabs be restored with their history and scroll position?
Some can be restored with browsing history and scroll position, subject to the browser’s limit of the 25 most recently closed tabs.
What information can the extension read?
It can read tab titles and URLs, but states it cannot read page contents. The developer says it transmits no user or usage data and has no tracking, analytics or advertisements.
Does it protect tabs in groups?
Optional tab group protection requires support for the standard chrome.tabGroups API. Vivaldi Tab Stacks are not supported.
Facts from Tab Wrangler's own pages
- Browser support
- The project provides extension downloads for Chrome and Firefox. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Users can set a minimum number of open tabs before auto-closing starts, pause auto-closing, configure keyboard shortcuts, and import or export saved tabs and settings. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Data access
- The extension can read tab titles and URLs but states it cannot read page contents. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Default timeout
- Tabs are automatically closed after one hour of inactivity by default. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Integration
- Settings can sync through the browser account when browser sync is enabled, while closed tabs are stored locally and are not synced. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Other protections
- Users can optionally protect tabs playing audio or belonging to a tab group; pinned and active tabs are always protected. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- The developer states that Tab Wrangler transmits no user or usage data and has no tracking, analytics, or advertisements. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Tab Wrangler automatically closes tabs that have been inactive for a while so users can focus on the tabs that matter. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Session restore
- Some closed tabs can be restored with their browsing history and scroll position, subject to the browser's limit of the most recent 25 closed tabs. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Storage limit
- The maximum number of saved closed tabs depends on the browser's storage quota. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- The Firefox add-on page lists [email protected] as the support email. · addons.mozilla.org, 7 Oct 2026
- Tab Corral
- Automatically closed tabs are kept in a searchable, sortable list and can be restored with one click. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Tab group limit
- Tab group protection requires support for the standard chrome.tabGroups API; the project says Vivaldi Tab Stacks are not supported. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
- Tab protection
- Users can lock individual tabs or whole windows and automatically protect tabs from specified sites. · github.com, 7 Oct 2026
Where Tab Wrangler stands on Freedom251
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