Where your data lives
TabBoy is a local-first extension. Unlike cloud-based tab managers, your browsing data never leaves your device. Because TabBoy is open source, every statement on this page is directly verifiable in our repository.
Physical storage location
Section titled “ Physical storage location”All persistent extension state is saved in your local Chrome user profile directory via Chrome’s chrome.storage.local API.
On your computer, Chrome stores this data inside your profile folder under the extension’s LevelDB database:
- macOS:
~/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/<Profile>/Local Extension Settings/<Extension-ID>/ - Linux:
~/.config/google-chrome/<Profile>/Local Extension Settings/<Extension-ID>/ - Windows:
%LOCALAPPDATA%\Google\Chrome\User Data\<Profile>\Local Extension Settings\<Extension-ID>\
Zero cloud sync in V1 (storage.sync disabled)
Section titled “ Zero cloud sync in V1 (storage.sync disabled)”TabBoy does not use browser.storage.sync or chrome.storage.sync.
Even if you have Chrome sync turned on for your Google account, your TabBoy collections, rules, and history are never transmitted to Google servers or synced across devices automatically. Your data remains strictly on the local machine where you installed the extension.
Optional TabBoy Pro: Zero-Knowledge E2EE Sync
Section titled “ Optional TabBoy Pro: Zero-Knowledge E2EE Sync”For users who opt into TabBoy Pro for multi-device workspace sync:
- End-to-End Encrypted (AES-256-GCM): Data is encrypted locally before transmission using client-derived keys via the native WebCrypto API.
- Blind Server Relay: FlowCrate servers never see unencrypted URLs, page titles, or collection hierarchies.
- Zero Metadata Leakage: Web sharing links encode the decryption key in the URL hash fragment (
#key=...), keeping keys out of HTTP request headers and server access logs.
Storage keys inventory
Section titled “ Storage keys inventory”All storage keys are defined with explicit Zod schema validation in src/features/storage/repository.ts:
| Storage area | Key name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
storage.local |
local:collections |
User collections (hierarchical spaces and tab items). |
storage.local |
local:rules |
Active automated grouping rules. |
storage.local |
local:savedGroups |
Saved tab groups saved for later. |
storage.local |
local:sessionsV1 |
Browsing restore points and historical states. |
storage.local |
local:recoverySnapshotsV1 |
Safety net snapshots taken before destructive actions. |
storage.local |
local:workspaceMoodThresholdsV2 |
Threshold configuration for workspace load metrics. |
storage.local |
local:dashboardSaveOptionsV1 |
User preferences for collection creation dialogs. |
storage.local |
local:collectionTreeDepthV1 |
Configured display depth for the collection tree. |
storage.local |
local:collectionTreeExpandedIdsV1 |
Expanded / collapsed state of space folders in tree. |
storage.local |
local:collectionsViewOptionsV1 |
Active sorting, tag filter, and favorite filter settings. |
storage.local |
local:appShortcuts |
Custom configured keyboard shortcuts. |
storage.local |
local:themePreferenceV1 |
Theme selection (system, light, dark). |
storage.local |
local:onboardingCompletedV1 |
First-run onboarding completion flag. |
storage.local |
local:celebrationShownV1 |
First successful organization celebration flag. |
storage.local |
local:latestScan |
Metadata of the most recent local window/tab scan. |
storage.local |
local:latestScanDebug |
Ephemeral diagnostic report for the latest scan. |
storage.local |
local:latestScanRulesFingerprint |
Fingerprint tracking whether rules changed since last scan. |
storage.session |
session:suggestions |
Rule-generated suggestions (ephemeral, cleared when browser closes). |
storage.session |
session:byokCredential |
User-supplied BYOK API credentials (ephemeral, cleared when browser closes). |
What if I lose my Chrome profile?
Section titled “ What if I lose my Chrome profile?”Because TabBoy does not store data on remote servers, if your Chrome profile or disk is deleted, TabBoy cannot restore your data remotely.
To ensure your data is safe across device upgrades or system re-installations:
- JSON Export / Backup: Periodically export a backup file from the TabBoy dashboard (see Backup & restore).
- Safety Net Snapshots: TabBoy automatically creates local restore points (
local:recoverySnapshotsV1) before executing destructive actions such as closing or grouping tabs. - No Lock-In: Backups are plain JSON formatted files that you own and can inspect with any text editor.