Privacy and local-first

What is a local-first tab manager?

A local-first tab manager saves tab sessions on your device first instead of treating cloud sync as the default storage layer. TabOnion captures selected tab titles and URLs locally, then uses explicit export, import, or sync flows when the user asks.

TabOnion app logo representing a local-first tab manager.
TabOnion app logo representing a local-first tab manager.

Short answer

A tab tool that starts on your device.

A local-first tab manager saves selected browser sessions on your device first, with explicit export or sync only when you choose it.

Good fit when

You want tab saving without a cloud-first account model.

Your tabs contain sensitive work or research.

You want export and sync to be explicit choices.

How to do it with TabOnion

  1. Save selected tab titles and URLs locally.
  2. Use restore and search on-device.
  3. Choose export or sync only when needed.

Why local-first matters

Browser tabs can reveal private projects, accounts, health research, finances, job searches, and internal work. A tab tool should minimize what leaves the device.

What local-first does not mean

It does not mean there can never be sync, export, membership, or support features. It means the default capture path starts locally and data movement is explicit.

Trust boundary

TabOnion does not send saved URLs, page titles, tab contents, Markdown, AI context, cookies, passwords, or form values to website analytics.

Important: Local-first does not mean cloud features can never exist. It means saving starts on your device and data movement is explicit.

Common questions

Is local-first the same as offline-only?

No. Local-first means local storage is the default authority; optional connected features can still exist.

Why does this matter for tabs?

Tabs often reveal sensitive intent, so minimizing automatic data movement increases trust.

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