To avoid a visible tab during checks while Chrome is open, set Distill’s Chrome extension to Background mode: open Settings → Advanced and choose Background. This works only for static pages. If checks must continue after Chrome closes or your computer is off, use a cloud monitor in Distill’s Web App instead; that is a different kind of monitoring.
Choose the right kind of “no tab” monitoring
Distill offers several ways to run checks, and they do not all meet the same need. Background mode avoids opening a tab for supported pages, but it does not make a local monitor independent of Chrome or your computer. Cloud monitoring runs on Distill’s servers. Distill also offers a local Desktop App that runs checks without browser tabs; its documentation currently describes it as public beta.
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| Option | Where checks run | Does a check open a browser tab? | Must your computer be on? | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrome extension, Background mode | Locally through Chrome | No, for supported pages | Yes; local monitoring depends on the browser or computer being available | Background checks work only for static pages. Distill’s extension documentation |
| Chrome extension, default Tab mode | Locally through Chrome | Yes; the check tab closes when the check completes | Yes | It may be visible while a check runs. Why extensions open a tab |
| Cloud monitor | Distill’s servers | No local check tab is needed | No; it can run while Chrome is closed or the computer is off | Some sites may block requests from Distill’s cloud servers. Local versus cloud monitors |
| Distill Desktop App | Locally through the desktop app | No browser tab | Yes, for local checks | Distill currently describes the app as public beta. Supported platforms |
If your only problem is a tab appearing during checks, start with Background mode and test the page. If you need monitoring while Chrome is closed, choose a cloud monitor. For a local workflow without browser tabs, consider the Desktop App.
Set up a Chrome extension monitor in Background mode
- Add the page to Distill. Open the page in Chrome, select Distill’s extension, and choose whether to monitor the whole page or just the relevant portion. Distill’s guide to using browser extensions covers selecting page content: Using browser extensions to track webpage changes.
- Change the check mode. In the extension, open Settings → Advanced and choose Background. Distill documents Tab as the default mode; its other modes include Window and Sticky Window as well as Background. See the Chrome extension guide.
- Run a test check. Confirm that the page loads and the selected content is detected without a visible tab. Background mode is intended for static pages, so do not assume that a page with content rendered or updated dynamically will work.
- Choose an alert action. Set the notification method you want. Distill says email and SMS alerts require signing in, and availability depends on the subscription plan. See Distill’s extension monitoring guide.
- Leave the local setup available. A local extension monitor needs the browser or computer to be available to run checks. It will not keep monitoring with the computer powered off.
When Background mode does not work
The key compatibility issue is page behavior: Distill says Background checks work only for static web pages. A page that depends on dynamic content may need a different checking mode or a different monitoring setup. Distill explains why extension checks may open a new tab in its guide to extension check tabs.
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- Try another extension mode if the page needs browser-rendered behavior. Distill documents Tab, Window, Background, and Sticky Window modes; modes that use a tab or window may be more appropriate for pages that Background cannot check.
- Try the Desktop App if you want local checks without browser tabs. Distill’s platform documentation identifies it as public beta: Supported platforms.
- Use a cloud monitor if checks must run independently of your computer. Cloud monitors run on Distill’s servers, but a target site may block requests from those servers. Distill identifies proxies as a possible option on applicable plans; see Profiles for Cloud Monitors.
Use a cloud monitor when Chrome can be closed
A cloud monitor is the Distill option for checks that should continue when Chrome is closed or your computer is off. Set it up in Distill’s Web App rather than relying on a Chrome extension monitor. Distill describes the difference between local and cloud monitoring in Local Monitor vs. Cloud Monitor and its overview of Distill.
Cloud monitoring has plan-specific quotas and minimum check intervals, and these can change. Check Distill’s current pricing page before choosing a plan or relying on a particular interval. Some sites block requests from Distill’s cloud servers; Distill notes that proxies may be available on applicable plans.
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Troubleshoot common problems
| What you see | Likely reason | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| A tab appears during a check | The extension is using its documented default Tab mode, or Background mode is not selected. | Open the extension’s Settings → Advanced and choose Background for a static page. If you keep another mode, Distill says a completed check closes its tab. See the tab-check explanation. |
| Background mode does not detect the page correctly | The page may rely on dynamic content, which Background checks do not support. | Test a documented alternative mode, use the Desktop App for local checks without tabs, or configure a cloud monitor if checks must run while the computer is unavailable. |
| Checks stop when Chrome or the computer is unavailable | The monitor is local rather than cloud-based. | Move the monitor to Distill’s Web App as a cloud monitor if you need checks while Chrome is closed or the computer is off. |
| A cloud monitor cannot access the target site | The site may block requests from Distill’s cloud servers. | Check Distill’s cloud-monitor profile guidance for proxy options on applicable plans: Profiles for Cloud Monitors. |
| An alert method is unavailable | Some alert methods, including email and SMS, require signing in and depend on the subscription plan. | Sign in and check whether the alert method is included in your plan. |
Performance, reliability, and cost considerations
- Local checks depend on your device. The Chrome extension and other local monitoring need the browser or computer available; closing Chrome or powering down the computer is not equivalent to cloud monitoring.
- Cloud checks trade local independence for service and site dependencies. They can run without your computer, but cloud quotas, minimum intervals, and access to the target site matter. Check Distill’s live plan details before selecting a tier.
- Page type determines whether Background mode is suitable. Static pages are the documented use case. Test the exact content you selected and use a different mode if the page relies on dynamic content.
Or skip the browser setup
ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server for developers, not a replacement for Distill’s change monitoring or alerts. It can return a screenshot or PDF with one request; use it when you need a capture rather than an ongoing change monitor.
For example, this cURL request saves a WebP screenshot of Stripe. See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for parameters and response details.
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curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpScreenshotNeo removes cookie and consent banners, newsletter popups, and chat widgets before capture; bot checks, blank pages, and failed loads are not billed. Its MCP server provides screenshot tools for AI agents, and the Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card required; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000. Learn about ScreenshotNeo or sign up free for 1,000 screenshots a month with no card.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently asked questions
Does Background mode remove the need to keep Chrome installed?
No. It is a Chrome extension check mode, not a cloud monitor. For checks when your computer is off, use a cloud monitor.
Can ScreenshotNeo tell me when a website changes?
It is a screenshot API, not an ongoing change-monitoring service. Use Distill for monitoring and alerts; use ScreenshotNeo when you need a screenshot or PDF capture.
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