Tab Notes
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Tab Notes - Turn your browser new tab into a distraction-free notepad

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Tab Notes turns every new browser tab into a distraction-free notepad. Capture thoughts instantly with rich text, tables, and syntax-highlighted code blocks, or sketch ideas using the built-in shape canvas. Works completely offline with local storage or syncs privately to your personal Google Drive with zero server lock-in. Access notes in full-screen tabs, via a quick toolbar popup over any website, and export to .txt or .md anytime.

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Maker
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Hey Product Hunt community! 👋 I built Tab Notes because standard note apps felt too heavy, and default browser start pages are cluttered with distractions. I wanted a fast, local-first scratchpad right where I spend most of my working day—inside my browser tabs. Key features at a glance: 📝 Rich Text & Code: Markdown support, headings, lists, tables, and syntax-highlighted code blocks. 🎨 Integrated Canvas: Draw diagrams, flowcharts, and shapes with connecting arrows directly in your notes. ☁️ Privacy-First Storage: Use offline browser storage without logging in, or sync seamlessly to your personal Google Drive. ⚡ Popup & Standalone Modes: Pin it to your toolbar for quick notes over any website, or toggle off new-tab takeover whenever you want. 📥 Zero Lock-In: Export your work as .txt or .md at any time. I would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, and feature requests. What do you look for most in a browser-based scratchpad?

 Awesome Product Vineeth!

Popup or standalone, which mode do you personally use more day to day?

Maker

Thanks,   🙌

I actually find myself using the New Tab Takeover mode the most day to day! Having my notes open up automatically every time I hit a new tab gives me a focused, distraction-free space right away-and it doubles as a constant visual reminder for my daily to-dos 😉.

That said, the toolbar popup is my go-to whenever I just need to quickly jot down a snippet or reference something without losing context on the page I'm browsing!

What I look for most is friction at capture time - if opening a notepad takes more than the half-second it takes to open a new tab, I just won't use it, and the new-tab takeover approach solves exactly that problem.

One question: new-tab real estate tends to be contested. I've got other extensions that also want to override it (a dashboard, a speed-dial style start page). How does Tab Notes behave when something else is also fighting for the new-tab page - does it detect the conflict and warn you, or is it more "whichever extension loaded last wins" and you'd need to manually disable the other one?

Maker

Hi ,

You hit the nail on the head-zero friction at capture time is exactly why I went with the new-tab approach!

Regarding new-tab conflicts: Chrome enforces a strict rule where only one extension can control the New Tab page at a time. Under Chrome's default behavior, it operates on a "last installed/enabled wins" basis. Chrome will show a prompt confirming the change, but individual extensions cannot detect or inspect other installed extensions due to browser security sandboxing.

However, because so many users rely on dedicated dashboards, speed dials, or start pages, we designed Tab Notes so you never have to choose between them:

  1. Keep your existing New Tab page: You can toggle off the new-tab takeover inside Tab Notes settings (Settings → Layout → New Tab Behavior), allowing your dashboard or speed-dial extension to run normally.

  2. Instant Capture via Popup / Shortcut: You can access the full Tab Notes scratchpad instantly over any tab by clicking the extension icon or binding a custom global shortcut (e.g., Alt+N or Cmd+Shift+N via chrome://extensions/shortcuts).

  3. Standalone Full-Screen Mode: Bookmark the dedicated extension URL to jump into the full canvas/note editor in a single click whenever you need it.

That way, you get the half-second capture speed without losing your customized start page!