Merlin
UnloadTabs

UnloadTabs

Unload your tabs to free resources and prevents them from loading unintentionally

What is UnloadTabs?
UnloadTabs is an efficient Firefox add-on that not only allows users to free up resources by unloading unnecessary tabs, but also adds a context menu to unload the current loaded or other tabs. It averts loading tabs when the active tab shuts, offers shortcuts for navigation, and makes it clear which tabs are loaded through its unique grayed out features for unloaded tabs. It is also compatible with Tree Style Tab, Container Tabs, and Hidden Tabs.
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Merlin
Stats
By: NiklasG
Rating: 4.41 (64)
Version: 0.8.5 (Last updated: 2019-09-06)
Creation date: 2016-06-10
Weekly download count: 53
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: Moderate risk impact
Risk likelihood: Low risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Permissions:
  • storage
  • menus
  • notifications
  • tabs
Size: 92.57K
URLs: Website
Stats date:

Chrome-Stats Rank

# 1478 ▼ 22
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Other platforms

Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Merlin
Summary
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Features:

  • adds a context menu entry to
    • unload the current loaded tab
    • unload all but the current tab
  • avoids loading tabs when the active tab is closed (see the installation notice for details)
  • adds shortcuts to jump to the next/previous loaded tab
    • the shortcut can be changed (in Firefox 60+)
  • compatible with
    • Tree Style Tab: adds context menus and styles to the sidebar (see options)
    • Container Tabs: unloaded tabs stay in the correct container
    • Hidden Tabs (e.g. Tab Groups): works only on currently visible tabs
  • makes clear which tabs are loaded by graying out unloaded tabs
    • this currently requires manual setup, see the installation notice
  • can be removed without leaving anything behind or closing unloaded tabs --> just try it
BUGS: Firefox' currently suffers from a number of bugs related to unloading tabs. Most notably, tabs may loose their icons or display as loading. Fixing that is Mozillas job. If you encounter any other problems, please report them as an issue or comment on an existing issue matching your problem. Please don't complain in a rating on the Add-ons download page. I can't respond to those.

Permissions used:

  • Display notifications: Only to report errors
  • Access browser tabs: This should be pretty obvious

User reviews
User reviews summary
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews. Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate, spammy, or outdated.
Pros
  • Lowers browser resources and frees up memory and CPU
  • Keeps tabs in the list after unloading
  • Integration with Tree Style Tab
  • Helpful for users with many open tabs
Cons
  • Does not open a 'New Tab' when there's no loaded tab to switch to
  • Causes browser issues when unloading tabs
  • Does not correctly focus on the newly selected tab after closing another
  • Does not support unloading multiple tabs simultaneously
Most mentioned
  • Improves browser performance by unloading tabs
  • Issues with tab focus and tab selection behavior
  • Lack of support for multiple tab unloading
  • Adds functionality not natively implemented in Firefox
  • Desired feature: Timer for auto-unload tabs
Recent reviews
by dsahidjiasdouias, 2024-02-21
View all user reviews
Safety
Risk impact

UnloadTabs may not be safe to use and it requires some risky permissions. Exercise caution when installing this add-on. Review carefully before installing.

Risk likelihood

UnloadTabs has earned a fairly good reputation and likely can be trusted.

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Screenshots
UnloadTabs