History

7 snapshots

Tracking since May 1, 2026.

View as table

Date	Users	Rating	Reviews	Version
May 1, 2026	—	—	—	2.2.5
May 7, 2026	—	—	—	2.2.5
May 12, 2026	4	—	—	3.0.4
May 18, 2026	10	—	—	3.1.4
May 24, 2026	603	5.00	12	3.1.4
May 31, 2026	673	5.00	14	3.1.4
Jun 6, 2026	662	5.00	16	3.2.3
Now	719	5.00	16	3.2.3

Changelog

May 31, 2026

description

PlainTab is a browser extension that makes every new tab a visual delight.

Why? Because your new tab page deserves a beautiful wallpaper, not ads, news, or shortcut links.

Why PlainTab?

• 【Wallpaper Freedom】
• Daily Bing wallpaper auto-updates — dual global endpoints race with Promise.any, fast no matter where you are.
• Blazing-fast local wallpaper loading — wallpapers are stored locally on your machine and read instantly when you open a new tab, orders of magnitude faster than fetching over the network.
• Supports up to 12 local wallpapers with auto-rotation on every new tab. 3×4 gallery preview — delete or swap anytime.

• 【Absolute Privacy】
• No ads, no tracking, no data collection of any kind.
• All wallpapers are stored offline on your local machine — no uploads, no sync, no third-party servers. Your browsing behavior belongs to you and you alone.

• 【Blazing Fast, Zero Intrusion】
• Pure vanilla JavaScript, zero external dependencies. No third-party frameworks — renders instantly when the browser opens.
• Wallpapers generate ultra-lightweight preview snapshots in the background. On your next new tab, they load instantly from local storage — no network request needed.

• 【Flexible, Not Complicated】
• Automatic language matching for 16 languages.
• Search bar: show on hover / always visible / hidden.
• Search engines: Google / Bing / Baidu / DuckDuckGo (Web mode).

• 【Open Source & Transparent】
• Fully open source: https://github.com/kaininx/PlainTab
• Try it live: https://plaintab.kaininx.workers.dev

✨ Recommended Combo Setup (from the developer):
• 📌 New Tab: Install this extension to set up to 12 different wallpapers with no size limit.
• 📌 Startup Page: Set your browser homepage to https://plaintab.kaininx.workers.dev and keep the default daily Bing wallpaper mode.
• 📌 Home Button: Set it to https://kaininx.github.io/PlainTab/ — this is the project's GitHub Pages site, where you can add extra wallpapers of your choice.

PlainTab is for you if you're tired of:
• New tabs cluttered with ads, news, and useless shortcuts
• Browser extensions secretly collecting your data in the background
• Browsers slowing down with too many extensions — you want native-fast performance
• Seeing the same wallpaper day after day

Support & Feedback
• Like PlainTab? Please rate us on the Chrome Web Store.
• GitHub: https://github.com/kaininx/PlainTab
• Questions or suggestions? Feel free to open an Issue.

Changelog

• v3.1.4 · Refactored storage constant naming and merged IDB migration into two-phase transaction for crash-recoverable ordering; optimized new user migration skip; added batch upload deduplication with 12-image cap

• v3.1.3 · Implemented storage version migration for localStorage and IndexedDB, unified storage key naming, fixed thumbnail persistence logic in local mode.

• v3.1.2 · Renamed _locales/pt to pt_BR for Chrome Web Store compliance; unified changelog format to compact style; renamed Portuguese files to pt_BR for consistency.

• v3.1.1 · Switched Bing API to Promise.any race mode with 8-second AbortController timeout; updated all 16 language READMEs to reflect the new fetch strategy.

• v3.1.0 · Local wallpaper gallery: upload/delete/rotate multiple local wallpapers, batch file selection; code refactoring; improved panel styling; comprehensive i18n localization; fixed CSP by removing JSON API domains.

• v3.0.5 · Upgraded Bing API proxy (regionalized requests + image dedup); optimized wallpaper caching; unified localStorage key names; added 16-language changelog; improved logging and code semantics.

• v3.0.4 · Fixed wallpaper loading failure: CSP img-src allowlist was missing Bing CDN domains, causing images redirected by the proxy API to be blocked by the browser.

• v3.0.3 · Bypassed CSSOM for accelerated first-frame rendering, CSP security hardening, dead code cleanup, added SVG icons and promotional assets.

• v3.0.2 · Dark mode adaptive background, code structure refactoring, bottom multi-language info bar.

• v3.0.1 · Integrated Chrome Search API, passed Chrome Web Store single-purpose compliance review.

• v3.0.0 · Complete rewrite: dual-layer architecture eliminates white flash on new tab, added fallback gray background.

• v2.2.7 · Added README in English, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Simplified Chinese; changed default search mode to "always visible".

• v2.2.6 · Optimized wallpaper loading logic and thumbnail caching; reorganized Bing API constants.

• v2.2.5 · Wallpaper preloading and first-frame optimization, eliminating white screen on new tab.

• v2.2.4 · Migrated wallpaper storage from localStorage to IndexedDB.

• v2.2.3 · Local wallpaper upload, improved search engine switching experience.

• v1.2.0 · Initial release: wallpaper system, 16-language UI, Chrome i18n localization, MIT license.

PlainTab · Minimal New Tab

A fast, quiet, wallpaper-first new tab page.

When you open a new tab, you should see something calm and useful first: a beautiful wallpaper, a search bar, and your own links when you need them. Not a news feed, not ads, not trending cards, and not a dashboard full of widgets.

PlainTab keeps the new tab page clean, fast, and personal. Search, type a URL, open shortcuts, switch wallpaper sources, or simply enjoy the image for a second and move on.

Why PlainTab?

[Instant-feeling wallpaper]

PlainTab cares about the first moment after a new tab opens.

It stores a lightweight wallpaper preview locally so the next open can show an image as quickly as possible. Full wallpaper loading, caching, and theme color extraction happen later in the runtime path, helping reduce the blank-white feeling many new tab extensions have.

Wallpaper transitions use a two-layer design: the current image stays visible while the next one loads and fades in. If a network source fails, PlainTab tries to keep the current stable wallpaper instead of clearing the page.

[Flexible wallpaper sources]

PlainTab supports:

• Bing daily wallpaper
• Wallhaven wallpapers
• Local image uploads
• Local wallpaper folders
• RSS image feeds
• Custom image APIs
• Video wallpapers

Use Bing if you want something simple. Use uploads or folders if you already have a wallpaper collection. Use RSS, API, or Wallhaven if you like a more custom setup.

[Quiet homepage, useful tools]

PlainTab does not cover the homepage with shortcut tiles or turn the new tab page into another feed.

The homepage keeps the essentials: wallpaper, search, and a few controls. Shortcuts live in a command palette where you can search, add, edit, import bookmarks, and hide private links in a separate space.

The search bar can be adjusted to your habits:

• Position
• Width
• Corner radius
• Transparency
• Visibility mode
• Search history
• Search engine behavior

Keep it always visible, or let it appear only when needed.

[Settings with depth]

Settings stay in the settings panel, not scattered across the homepage.

You can adjust wallpaper sources, search, hotkeys, command palette behavior, interface style, data backup, language, and more. Most of the time, what you see is still just a quiet new tab page.

[Privacy and permissions]

PlainTab has no ads and no tracking analytics.

Uploaded wallpapers, shortcuts, search history, and configuration are mainly stored in your browser's local storage. PlainTab does not require an account and does not turn your new tab into a cloud content stream.

The extension uses permissions related to the new tab page, search, page interaction, and optional network wallpaper sources. Custom APIs, RSS, and Wallhaven may require access to their image sources. If you use local or default settings, the experience stays simple.

[Lightweight and open]

PlainTab is built with vanilla JavaScript, CSS, and browser APIs. There is no frontend framework, no build step, and no large runtime dependency.

The project is open source and easy to inspect. It is useful for daily browsing and also as a real-world browser extension project to learn from.

PlainTab is for you if you want:

• A better-looking new tab without feeds
• Daily wallpapers or your own wallpaper collection
• Search, shortcuts, bookmark import, and backups
• A homepage that is not filled with dozens of tiles
• A lightweight and transparent extension
• A complete browser extension project to study

PlainTab will not add:

• News feeds, trending lists, or recommended content
• Ads, sponsored cards, or promoted slots
• Account systems, social features, or cloud content streams
• Dozens of pinned shortcuts across the homepage
• Promotional autoplay video or content feeds

Support and feedback

• Source code: https://github.com/kaininx/PlainTab
• Live demo: https://plaintab.kaininx.workers.dev
• Release notes: https://github.com/kaininx/PlainTab/blob/main/docs/RELEASE_NOTES.md
• Like PlainTab? A Chrome Web Store review helps a lot.
• Found an issue or have an idea? Open an issue on GitHub.

Recent updates

• v3.2.3: Removed the unused tabs permission and refreshed release metadata so PlainTab asks for fewer permissions.

• v3.2.2: Added optional Bing 4K UHD wallpapers, kept 1080p as default, and improved cache, backup, settings, and storage reliability.

• v3.2.1: Added Wallhaven and video wallpaper support, refined wallpaper setup and apply safety, improved command palette and theme behavior, and fixed wallpaper, settings, and i18n stability issues.

• v3.2.0: Added command palette, RSS/API/local-folder wallpapers, WASM wallpaper theme colors, config import/export, and search history; migrated the v3.2 storage model and optimized startup, wallpaper, gallery, and settings paths.

PlainTab will keep moving in the same direction: clean, fast, quiet, and learnable.

May 31, 2026
permissions
```
search
```
```
search, scripting
```

May 12, 2026

description

PlainTab is a minimalist new tab extension designed for users who pursue efficient, clean, and secure browsing experiences. After installation, every new tab opens with a unified minimalist interface, allowing you to focus on content rather than distractions from the very first second.

Why Choose PlainTab?

• 【Absolute Privacy Protection】
• No ads, no tracking, no collection of any browsing data. Your browsing behavior belongs entirely to you.

• 【Blazing Fast & Lightweight】
• Pure native JavaScript implementation, zero external dependencies, loads instantly, never slows down your browsing experience.

• 【Ready to Use, Flexible Customization】
• Supports multiple languages and automatically matches your browser language.
• Search bar can be set to: Mouse Trigger / Always Visible / Hidden.
• Supports four major search engines: Google, Bing, Baidu, DuckDuckGo.
• Wallpaper supports automatic daily Bing updates, or upload your own local image.

• 【Open Source & Transparent】
• Code is fully open source, hosted on GitHub: https://github.com/kaininx/PureTab

✨【Exclusive Combo Setup (Dev's Recommendation)】✨
Want to go even further? No problem. PlainTab lets your browser have three different wallpapers at the same time:
• 📌 Browser New Tab: Install this extension and upload your local wallpaper to decorate your page
• 📌 Browser Startup Page: Set to https://plaintab.netlify.app - An online start page hosted on Netlify, built from GitHub. You can set another wallpaper there.
• 📌 Home Button: Set to https://kaininx.github.io/PlainTab/ - This is the project's GitHub Pages, so yes, you can set your third wallpaper here!

PlainTab is perfect for those who want to:
• Keep every new tab clean and focused
• Unify the style of browser new tabs and home pages
• Enjoy efficient, lightweight, ad-free browsing
• Freely customize wallpapers and search engines
• Experience open source, secure, transparent browsing with zero privacy concerns

Support & Feedback
• Like PlainTab? Please give us a positive rating on the Chrome Web Store.
• Open Source Code: https://github.com/HIeart-Vael/PureTab
• Questions or suggestions? Leave a review or submit an Issue on GitHub.

Changelog

• v3.0.4
• Fixed wallpaper loading: CSP `img-src` allowlist was missing Bing CDN origins (`www.bing.com`, `cn.bing.com`), so images redirected from proxy APIs were blocked.

• v3.0.3
• Bypassed CSSOM on critical preload path for faster first paint; tightened CSP; removed dead code; added SVG icons and promotion assets.

• v3.0.2
• Dark mode adaptive background, restructured codebase, multilingual footer bar.

• v3.0.1
• Switched to Chrome Search API for CWS single-purpose compliance.

• v3.0.0
• Complete rewrite: dual-layer architecture for zero-flicker wallpaper rendering with fallback background. (See V3_NOTE.md)

• v2.2.7
• Added 5-language READMEs, set default search mode to always-on.

• v2.2.6
• Optimized wallpaper loading and thumbnail caching; cleaned up Bing API constants.

• v2.2.5
• Added wallpaper preloading and first-frame optimization to eliminate the blank flash on new tab open.

• v2.2.4
• Migrated wallpaper storage from localStorage to IndexedDB.

• v2.2.3
• Added local wallpaper upload and improved search engine switching UX.

• v1.2.0
• Initial release: evolved from a single HTML page into a full extension with wallpaper system, 16-language UI, Chrome i18n locales, and MIT license.