Zen Browser, 6 months later - Chris Eller's Knowledge Garden

## Introduction and Overview - The [[Zen Browser | Zen browser]] has been the default web browser on a Mac for the past six months, and overall, the experience has been quite positive, despite it being in alpha and buggy at the time of its initial review [(00:00:00)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=0s). - The Zen website has undergone a significant transformation, changing from a dark and moody design to a brighter and friendlier one, with the option to switch to a dark mode, giving it a more approachable vibe [(00:00:28)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=28s). - The browser has received numerous updates over the past six months, many of which have been inspired by the ARK browser, making it more user-friendly for a wider range of people [(00:01:11)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=71s). - One of the notable features of the Zen browser is the ability to copy a URL to the clipboard instantly using the command shift C shortcut, a feature that is also available in the [[Arc (web browser) | Arc browser]] [(00:01:47)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=107s). ## Tabs and Bookmarks - The tabs in the [[Zen Browser | Zen browser]] have been redesigned to resemble those in the Arc browser, with the option to have multiple rows, pin tabs, and a separate section for random tabs, and also allow for the option to move tabs to the right side of the screen [(00:02:20)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=140s). - The browser also allows for easy bookmark management, enabling users to save and edit bookmarks, such as saving the Obsidian homepage and editing its name for a more aesthetic appearance [(00:03:12)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=192s). - The browser allows users to give a name to a tab, but when the tab is opened, it reverts to showing the actual title of the page, which could be improved by locking the custom name, a feature that was available in Ark [(00:03:27)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=207s). ## Theming and Customization - The theming feature in the browser has been updated to be very similar to what was available in Ark, allowing users to change theme colors, intensity, saturation, and contrast, as well as add noise to the sidebar [(00:04:05)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=245s). - The browser's theming options include the ability to change the separation of colors, create a split theme, and adjust the contrast, which mostly affects opacity, allowing for a transparent background [(00:04:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=262s). ## Split Tabs and Workspaces - The browser has a split tabs feature, which allows users to drag a second tab to either side of the first tab, enabling side-by-side viewing, scrolling, and resizing, similar to how it worked in Ark [(00:05:31)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=331s). - The browser also features workspaces, which are built on Firefox's concept of workspaces and containers, allowing users to separate different accounts and logins, such as personal and work accounts, into different containers [(00:06:32)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=392s). - Containers in the browser are collections of logins, cookies, and other data, and can be used to keep different accounts separate, such as a personal [[YouTube]] account and a work YouTube account [(00:06:58)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=418s). - The [[Zen Browser | Zen browser]] features different workspaces, which are represented by icons and can be used to separate different accounts or activities, such as work and personal life, or different Google accounts, and this feature is working well [(00:07:21)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=441s). - These workspaces can be edited and customized, including setting default containers and assigning icons, although the UI for this feature can be somewhat confusing [(00:08:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=481s). ## Compact Mode and Glance Feature - The browser also features a compact mode, which can be enabled by hitting Command-S, allowing for more screen space and easier access to certain sites, especially on smaller screens [(00:09:22)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=562s). - Another feature of the Zen browser is called "glance", which allows users to open a link in a floating tab by option-clicking it, and this tab can be read, opened in a full tab, or closed [(00:09:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=595s). ## URL Bar and Toolbars - The browser also offers customization options, including the ability to have a different URL bar option, such as having the URL bar at the top of the screen, and users can enable multiple toolbars in the app settings under "look and feel" [(00:10:42)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=642s). - Enabling multiple toolbars may cause a temporary glitch, but it allows for more bookmarks and a more personalized browsing experience [(00:11:03)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=663s). - The [[Zen Browser | Zen browser]] has a traditional address bar at the top, with pinned and easily accessible extensions, and the option to display bookmarks by using the command shift B shortcut [(00:11:18)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=678s). ## Availability and Syncing - The browser is available for free download on Mac, Linux, and Windows, and it syncs with [[Firefox]], allowing users to access their bookmarks, history, and other data across devices [(00:11:55)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=715s). - The Zen browser uses the Firefox sync engine and account, which means it can sync with Firefox on mobile devices, despite there being no native Zen browser app for iPhone, iPad, or Android [(00:12:02)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=722s). ## Zen Mods and Community - There is a community-driven aspect of the browser called Zen mods, which offers various user-created tweaks to the UI, with currently 87 available mods that can be installed and customized [(00:12:33)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=753s). - Some of these mods, such as the Zen UI Tweak Box, offer a range of tweaks that can be enabled or disabled, including adding shadows to the page canvas or other visual effects [(00:13:01)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=781s). ## Performance and Rendering Engine - The browser has been working well, but occasionally encounters issues with certain websites, likely due to the [[Firefox]] rendering engine, which can be frustrating, especially when compared to other browsers like [[Safari (web browser) | Safari]] [(00:13:53)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=833s). - The issue with the Firefox rendering engine is not unique to the [[Zen Browser | Zen browser]], as it also affects Firefox, and it is hoped that the engine will improve to better support web standards and reduce compatibility issues [(00:14:39)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc&t=879s). ## Sources - [website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wvg6aJUj-Uc?si=1qOOX-hulmcVOmit)