WorkDesk — Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

How do I install WorkDesk on my Chrome browser?

Install WorkDesk directly from the Chrome Web Store by searching for "WorkDesk" or visiting the product page at donbrico.net/workdesk. Click "Add to Chrome" and confirm the installation. Once installed, you'll see the WorkDesk icon in your browser toolbar.

What happens the first time I open WorkDesk?

After installation, click the WorkDesk icon to open the dashboard. You'll see an option to save your current browser window as your first workspace. WorkDesk automatically detects all open tabs and tab groups, so you can name and save your workspace immediately without any configuration.

Do I need to create an account to use WorkDesk?

No account or registration is required. WorkDesk is designed to work entirely offline and locally on your machine. All your workspace data is stored in your browser's local storage, so you can start saving and restoring workspaces immediately after installation.

How do I save my first workspace?

Open the WorkDesk popup by clicking its toolbar icon, then click the "Save Current Workspace" button. Give your workspace a name like "Research Project" or "Dev Sprint," and WorkDesk will capture all open tabs and their tab group assignments. You can also add a description to help identify the workspace later.

Features & Usage

Can I save and restore tab groups with WorkDesk?

Yes, WorkDesk fully supports Chrome tab groups. When you save a workspace, all your existing tab groups, including their names and colors, are preserved. When you restore that workspace later, your tab groups reappear exactly as you left them, saving you from having to reorganize tabs manually.

How do I switch between different workspaces without closing my current tabs?

Click the WorkDesk icon and select the workspace you want to switch to. WorkDesk will save your current tabs in the background and restore the new workspace instantly. Your previous workspace remains saved, so you can switch back at any time without losing your context or having to bookmark everything.

Can I organize my workspaces by project or topic?

Absolutely. WorkDesk lets you name each workspace and add optional descriptions. You can also reorder workspaces in the dashboard by dragging them. This makes it easy to group workspaces by project, client, research topic, or any system that works for your workflow.

Does WorkDesk work with pinned tabs and multiple windows?

Yes, WorkDesk captures pinned tabs and preserves their pinned state when restoring. It also supports multiple Chrome windows within a single workspace. If you have tabs spread across several windows, WorkDesk will save and restore them all, keeping the window structure intact.

Can I share a workspace with a colleague or across devices?

WorkDesk stores all data locally on your machine and does not include cloud sync or sharing features. This is by design to maintain your privacy. If you need to share a workspace, you can manually export your tabs or bookmark them, but WorkDesk itself is focused on personal, local workspace management.

Privacy & Security

Where is my workspace data stored?

All workspace data is stored entirely in your browser's local storage. WorkDesk does not send any data to external servers, cloud services, or third parties. Your tabs, URLs, and tab group information never leave your computer.

Does WorkDesk collect or sell my browsing data?

No. WorkDesk is a privacy-first extension that collects zero analytics, telemetry, or personal data. There are no trackers, no usage logs, and no data sharing. The extension operates entirely offline and has no network permissions beyond what is required to read your current tabs.

Does WorkDesk use AI or process my tab content?

WorkDesk does not use AI, machine learning, or any form of content processing. It only reads the URLs and tab group metadata of your open tabs to save and restore workspaces. It does not read page content, track your activity, or analyze your browsing behavior.

Is WorkDesk safe to use with sensitive or confidential tabs?

Yes. Because WorkDesk stores everything locally and does not transmit data anywhere, it is safe for sensitive work. Whether you're researching for a legal case, managing financial data, or handling confidential client information, your tabs remain private on your own machine.

Pricing & Licensing

Is WorkDesk free to use?

WorkDesk offers a free tier that includes core functionality like saving and restoring workspaces. There may be premium features or usage limits in the future, but the current version is fully functional for most users. Check the product page at donbrico.net/workdesk for the latest pricing details.

What is included in the premium version?

If a premium version is available, it typically includes unlimited workspace storage, advanced organization features, and priority support. The free version is designed to be fully usable for everyday workspace management without forcing you into a paid plan.

How do I pay for WorkDesk, and is there a subscription?

Payment and subscription details are available on the WorkDesk product page. WorkDesk may offer a one-time purchase or a subscription model. There is no automatic billing without your consent, and you can cancel anytime if a subscription applies.

Troubleshooting

WorkDesk isn't saving all my tabs. What should I check?

First, make sure you have granted WorkDesk the necessary permissions to read your tabs. You can check this in Chrome's extension settings under "Site access." Also, verify that you don't have any special Chrome pages (like chrome://settings or chrome://extensions) open, as these cannot be saved. Restart Chrome and try again if the issue persists.

I restored a workspace, but some tabs didn't load. Why?

This usually happens if a tab is no longer available (e.g., a deleted page or a broken link). WorkDesk saves the URLs you had open, but it cannot guarantee that those pages still exist. Additionally, if you have Chrome's "Continue where you left off" setting enabled, it may interfere with WorkDesk's restoration. Try disabling that setting in Chrome's startup options.

How do I uninstall WorkDesk without losing my workspaces?

Before uninstalling, open WorkDesk and manually note down or export your workspace names and URLs, as uninstalling the extension will delete all locally stored data. To uninstall, right-click the WorkDesk icon, select "Remove from Chrome," and confirm. Your workspaces will be lost, so back up anything important first.

WorkDesk seems slow or unresponsive. How can I fix it?

Try closing unnecessary tabs and restarting Chrome. WorkDesk is lightweight, but if you have hundreds of tabs in a single workspace, performance may slow down. You can also try removing unused workspaces from the dashboard to reduce the data WorkDesk needs to manage. If the issue continues, reinstall the extension from the Chrome Web Store.