Browser
Every panel in MetaDock is a fully isolated browser powered by Microsoft WebView2 (Edge). Here's how to get the most out of it.
Navigation
Browser navigation works just like Chrome or Edge — same shortcuts you already know:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Go back | Alt+Left |
| Go forward | Alt+Right |
| Reload page | Ctrl+R |
| Stop loading | Esc |
| Focus URL bar | Ctrl+L |
| Close tab | Ctrl+W |
| Duplicate tab | Ctrl+Shift+K |
Zoom
Zoom controls work per-browser, so you can have a zoomed-in chart next to a normal-sized page:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Zoom in | Ctrl+= |
| Zoom out | Ctrl+- |
| Reset to 100% | Ctrl+0 |
Zoom level is saved per-browser and restored when you reload your workspace. You can also set a default zoom for all new browsers in Settings → Browser → Default Zoom.
Tab Selection
Each browser panel can have multiple tabs, just like a regular browser. Jump between them instantly:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Switch to tabs 1-8 | Ctrl+1 through Ctrl+8 |
| Switch to last tab | Ctrl+9 |
Developer Tools
Every browser panel has full Chrome DevTools — inspect elements, debug JavaScript, monitor network requests:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Open DevTools | F12 |
| Toggle scripts | Ctrl+Shift+J |
DevTools opens attached to the browser panel. This is especially useful when you're developing or debugging web apps — you can have your app in one panel and DevTools right next to it, both visible at the same time.
Screenshots & PDF
Capture what's on screen for documentation, bug reports, or record-keeping:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Take screenshot (PNG) | Ctrl+Shift+S |
| Print to PDF | Ctrl+P |
When to use each
Screenshots
Captures exactly what you see in the viewport as a PNG image. Great for bug reports, sharing chart snapshots, or visual documentation.
PDF export
Renders the full page as a PDF document. Ideal for saving articles, invoices, or research pages for offline reading.
Extensions
MetaDock supports both Chrome and Edge extensions. Install your favorite ad blockers, password managers, or productivity tools just like in a regular browser.
How to install
- Press Ctrl+Shift+E to open the extensions dialog
- Add an extension from a directory path or the Chrome Web Store
- The extension loads immediately — no restart needed
Good to know
- •Profile-isolated — each profile has its own set of extensions, so your work profile can have different extensions than your personal one
- •Individual toggle — enable/disable extensions without uninstalling them
- •Persistent — extensions survive app restarts and workspace switches
User Scripts
User scripts let you inject custom JavaScript that runs automatically on specific websites. Think of it as a lightweight Tampermonkey built right into MetaDock.
How it works
- Scripts are stored per-host (e.g., one script for
twitter.com, another forgithub.com) - When you visit a matching page, the script executes automatically
- Toggle scripts individually or disable all at once with the
enableScriptsGloballysetting
Example use cases
Auto-dismiss cookie banners
Write a script that clicks “Accept” on cookie consent popups for sites you visit frequently.
Custom styling
Inject CSS to make a site dark-mode, increase font sizes, or hide distracting elements on news sites.
Data extraction
Scrape prices, headlines, or stats from a page and log them to the console for automated monitoring.
Browsing Data
Manage your browsing history, downloads, and cached data:
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Clear browsing data | Ctrl+Shift+Delete |
| View browsing history | Ctrl+H |
| View download history | Ctrl+J |
Browsing data is profile-specific. Clearing data in one profile doesn't affect other profiles — so you can clear your “Testing” profile without touching your “Work” profile.
Other Features
MetaDock's browser goes beyond basic browsing. Here are the power features you might not discover on your own:
Bookmarks — Ctrl+D
Toggle a bookmark for the current page. Bookmarks are profile-aware and support hierarchical categories.
Mute browser — Ctrl+M
Instantly mute/unmute audio in a specific browser panel. No more hunting for the tab that's playing sound.
Stealth mode — F8
Instantly hides and mutes the current browser. The panel becomes invisible. Press F8 again (or enter your password) to reveal it.
Custom headers & User-Agent
Set custom HTTP headers or User-Agent strings per browser or per profile. Useful for testing how sites respond to different clients, or for accessing mobile-only content.
Device emulation & geolocation
Emulate mobile devices (iPhone, Pixel, etc.) and spoof your geographic location. Perfect for testing responsive designs or location-based content.
Offline mode
Simulate an offline state per browser to test how your web app handles network failures.