[Feature]: Option to disable Chrome tab group creation ("OpenCLI Browser" orange group)
Feature Request
Problem
Every time OpenCLI opens a browser tab via opencli browser <session> open ..., the Chrome extension creates (or reuses) a tab group named "OpenCLI Browser" with orange color. Over time, empty/abandoned groups accumulate in Chrome, cluttering the tab bar:
- Restarting Chrome → old window gone, new window + new group created next time
- Using different session names → potentially multiple groups
- No way to prevent this behavior
This is especially disruptive for users who already have structured tab management (e.g., custom manual groups, Tab Groups for projects) — the auto-created "OpenCLI Browser" group feels invasive.
Root Cause
In the Chrome extension's background.js:
const CONTAINER_TAB_GROUP_TITLE = {
interactive: "OpenCLI Browser",
automation: "OpenCLI Adapter",
};
const OWNED_TAB_GROUP_COLOR = "orange";The ensureOwnedContainerGroup() → createOwnedGroup() path always creates/ensures a tab group. There is no configuration to opt out.
Requested Solution
Add a configuration option to disable automatic tab group creation, ideally in one of these forms:
- Environment variable — e.g.
OPENCLI_NO_TAB_GROUP=1(simplest, easy to set in .zshrc) - CLI flag — e.g.
opencli --no-group browser <session> open ...or through the--profilemechanism - Extension preference — a toggle stored via chrome.storage.local that the CLI can set once
Behavior When Disabled
When the option is active:
- The extension still manages its own owned Chrome window
- Tabs are opened in that window normally, but not grouped into a named/colored tab group
- All other functionality (session management, tab lease, idle timeout) remains unchanged
Workaround
Users can currently use opencli browser <session> bind to bind to an existing tab (avoids creating new windows/groups), but this is not suitable for all workflows (e.g. automation, multi-session browsing).
Environment
- OpenCLI: (check with
opencli --version) - Extension: 1.0.21
- Chrome: latest
Source: jackwener/OpenCLI