FAQ
Answers to the things people actually ask us.
General
What is TabRoulette?
TabRoulette is a Chrome extension that organizes your browser into named, color-coded workspaces — one per client, project, or context. It adds keyboard shortcuts for instant switching, automatic URL routing, wrong-account warnings, and launch sets to open all your client's tools in one click.
Who is it for?
Anyone who juggles multiple accounts or contexts in Chrome. Freelancers, consultants, contractors, agency workers, startup operators — basically anyone who's ever sent an email from the wrong Google account or posted in the wrong Slack workspace.
How is this different from Chrome profiles?
Chrome profiles give you separate windows that look identical in the taskbar. You can't tell them apart at a glance, they don't have keyboard shortcuts, they don't route URLs automatically, and they don't warn you when you're in the wrong context. TabRoulette does all of that inside a single Chrome window with color-coded tab groups.
How is this different from Wavebox/Shift/Station?
Those are all separate Electron-based browsers. They're heavy, often buggy, and require you to leave Chrome. TabRoulette works inside the browser you already use. No new app, no Electron memory overhead, no learning a new browser.
Does it work with Firefox or other browsers?
Not yet — TabRoulette is Chrome-only for now. Firefox support (using Container Tabs) is on the roadmap.
Features
What are workspaces?
Workspaces are named, color-coded groups for your tabs. Each workspace maps to a Chrome tab group. When you switch workspaces, your tabs are organized visually so you always know which client context you're in.
What is URL routing?
URL routing lets you set patterns like *.acmecorp.com → Acme workspace. Whenever you open a matching URL — from a link, a bookmark, whatever — TabRoulette automatically moves it to the right workspace. No manual tab dragging.
What are Launch Sets?
Launch Sets save a group of URLs you open together. Save your morning standup tools (Slack, Jira, GitHub, GCP) as a Launch Set, and tomorrow you can open all of them in one click, in the right workspace.
How does wrong-account detection work?
If you map your Google account indices (Settings → Google Accounts), TabRoulette tracks which Google account belongs to which workspace. Open a Google Doc from account /u/1/ while in your Personal workspace? You'll see a warning banner before you accidentally edit in the wrong context.
What keyboard shortcuts are available?
Ctrl+Shift+1/2/3 to switch to workspaces 1-3. Ctrl+Shift+Space to toggle back to your last workspace. On Mac, use ⌘+Shift. Customize them at chrome://extensions/shortcuts.
Privacy & Data
Does TabRoulette track me or collect data?
No. Zero analytics. Zero telemetry. Zero tracking. We don't collect any data at all — not your browsing history, not your tabs, not your usage patterns. Nothing leaves your browser.
Where is my data stored?
Everything is stored locally in your browser using Chrome's built-in storage APIs. Workspace names, colors, and URL rules use chrome.storage.sync (so they sync across your Chrome devices). Launch sets and active workspace state use local storage.
Can my employer or clients see my workspaces?
No. Your workspace configuration is stored in your browser. There's no server, no shared dashboard, no way for anyone else to see your setup.
Why does the extension need "access to all sites"?
TabRoulette injects a tiny content script to show wrong-account warning banners. It checks the current URL against your workspace rules and shows a dismissible banner if there's a mismatch. It does not read page content, form data, cookies, or anything else. Full privacy policy →
Pricing
Is TabRoulette free?
Yes. The free plan includes 2 workspaces, keyboard shortcuts, color-coded tab groups, wrong-account warnings, and the new tab dashboard. That's enough for many people.
What does Pro include?
Pro ($8/mo or $79/year) unlocks unlimited workspaces, URL auto-routing rules, Launch Sets, and Google account mapping. If you have more than 2 clients, you'll want Pro.
Is there a team plan?
A team plan ($12/user/mo) with shared workspace templates, admin controls, and SSO is coming soon. If you're interested, email us.
Can I try Pro before paying?
Yes — new installs get a 14-day Pro trial so you can set up everything and decide if it's worth it.
Troubleshooting
Keyboard shortcuts aren't working
Go to chrome://extensions/shortcuts and check if another extension has claimed the same shortcuts. Chrome limits each extension to 4 custom shortcuts. You can reassign them from that page.
Tabs aren't auto-routing to the right workspace
Check your URL rules in Settings. Make sure the pattern matches — wildcards use * syntax (e.g., *.acme.com). URL routing is a Pro feature — check if your trial has expired.
The wrong-account banner keeps showing up for the right account
Your Google account index mapping might be off. Google's account indices (/u/0/, /u/1/, etc.) can change if you add or remove accounts. Re-check your mappings in Settings → Google Accounts.
Something else broken?
Open an issue on GitHub or email hello@tabroulette.com. We're two people and we actually read every message.