https://github.com/loppos/recent-tabs-switcher

A simple Chromium extension for quickly switching between recently used tabs, similar to Firefox's MRU tab switching. This version works without any overlay and does not show extra UI elements.
https://github.com/loppos/recent-tabs-switcher

addon brave brave-extension chrome chrome-extension chromium edge edge-extension firefox tabs

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A simple Chromium extension for quickly switching between recently used tabs, similar to Firefox's MRU tab switching. This version works without any overlay and does not show extra UI elements.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/loppos/recent-tabs-switcher
• Owner: Loppos
• Created: 2025-08-29T20:47:01.000Z (10 months ago)
• Default Branch: baseline
• Last Pushed: 2025-08-29T22:40:13.000Z (10 months ago)
• Last Synced: 2025-08-30T00:25:33.328Z (10 months ago)
• Topics: addon, brave, brave-extension, chrome, chrome-extension, chromium, edge, edge-extension, firefox, tabs
• Language: JavaScript
• Homepage:
• Size: 9.77 KB
• Stars: 0
• Watchers: 0
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md

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README

          
# DIY - Recent Tab Switcher

A simple Chromium extension for quickly switching between recently used tabs, similar to Firefox's MRU tab switching.  

This version works without overlays or extra UI elements.

---

## Features

- Switch between the most recently used tabs in your current window.

- Keyboard shortcuts:

  - **Alt+Q** → Next recently used tab

  - **Alt+Shift+Q** → Previous recently used tab

  - Configurable in `chrome://extensions/shortcuts`

- MRU logic limited to the last 6 tabs.

- Fully privacy-friendly; no external communication or tracking.

- Persistent MRU: remembers recently used tabs until the browser is closed.

- Automatically cleans MRU of closed tabs to prevent errors.

---

## Developer Installation (Chromium / Edge / Brave)

1. Download or clone this repository.

2. Ensure all files are in a single folder:

   - `manifest.json`

   - `background.js`

   - `content.js`

   - Optional: `options.html` and `options.js`

3. Open your browser and go to:

   - Brave: `brave://extensions/`

   - Chrome: `chrome://extensions/`

   - Edge: `edge://extensions/`

4. Enable **Developer Mode** (top-right).

5. Click **Load unpacked**.

6. Select the folder containing the extension.

7. The extension is now active and ready to use.

---

## Build as `.crx` file (optional)

1. Open `chrome://extensions/` or `edge://extensions/`.

2. Click **Pack extension**.

3. Choose the extension folder.

4. Optionally add a private key to maintain updates; otherwise, a new `.crx` is created.

5. You will receive a `.crx` file that can be shared or installed.

> ⚠️ Note: Modern Chromium-based browsers often restrict `.crx` installation outside the store. Using **Load unpacked** in Developer Mode is usually the easiest method.

---

## Notes

- Works only in Chromium-based browsers (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Opera).

- MRU is tracked per window.

- No overlay or ribbon is shown; the functionality is purely via keyboard shortcuts.

- Closed tabs are automatically removed from MRU to prevent errors.

- MRU persists until the browser is closed.

---

## Example Usage

1. Open multiple tabs.

2. Press **Alt+Q** to switch to the last used tab.

3. Press **Alt+Shift+Q** to go back.

4. MRU automatically keeps track of the last 6 tabs and skips closed tabs.

---

## Troubleshooting

- If you see "No tab with id" errors, make sure you have the latest `background.js` which automatically cleans MRU of closed tabs.

- Persistent MRU requires a modern Chromium browser that supports `chrome.storage.session`.