Zen Browser v1.12.3b: "Add to Essentials" Area Tab Limit (Max 12 Tabs)?

[MagicCD]

Hello everyone,

I'm experiencing what appears to be a potential bug with Zen Browser version 1.12.3b, and I wanted to see if anyone else is encountering the same issue.

Zen Browser has a very useful "Add to Essentials" feature. This allows you to quickly access important tabs by adding them to a dedicated "Essentials" area, typically found in the sidebar or a quick-access panel.

However, after updating to version 1.12.3b, I've noticed a strange limitation: I can no longer add new tabs to the "Essentials" area once it already contains 12 tabs. It seems to have hit a maximum capacity. Before this update, I don't recall having such a restriction on the number of tabs in that area.

I've recorded a short video demonstrating this issue, which I've attached/linked below. Please watch it for a clear understanding of the problem.

Is anyone else experiencing this bug in version 1.12.3b? Or is this a new, intended limit for the "Essentials" area that I'm unaware of? Any insights or confirmation would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance!

2025-05-12.01-59-54-00.00.02.484-00.00.30.952.mp4

[chrisshieh-direct]

Many users experiencing this. Please restore the ability to create more than 12 Essentials.

[magicman3211]

I have 32 atm, but cant add more, has this recently changed?

[MagicCD]

Many users experiencing this. Please restore the ability to create more than 12 Essentials.

Absolutely agree, I love this feature.

[MagicCD]

I have 32 atm, but cant add more, has this recently changed?I currently have 32 ATM instances, but I cannot add more. Has this recently changed?

Yes, I found this issue when updating to version v1.12.3b.

• Now, if you have more than 12 Essentials, you cannot add new Essentials.
• If you already had more than 12 Essentials before version v1.12.3b, you will not be able to add new Essentials after that version v1.12.3b

[blakegearin]

So I believe the workaround right now would be to...

1. Downgrade to 1.12.2b
2. Make your changes to essentials
3. Upgrade to the latest version

[MagicCD]

So I believe the workaround right now would be to...

1. Downgrade to 1.12.2b
2. Make your changes to essentials
3. Upgrade

This is the only solution for now 😔 If zen browser doesn't plan to increase the limit on essentials later, I might choose to suspend using this product for a while. This feature has really brought me a lot of convenience.

[MagicCD]

There is one problematic way to temporarily solve this problem:

1. Right-click on the tab and select "Pin tab."
2. Drag the pinned tab to the Essentials area.

[MagicCD]

Yes, I also saw this problem (I actually hope they can change their minds and restore this feature)🥲

[magicman3211]

not very professional to close it saying its on purpose, its one reason I use zen for essentials tab
Have downgraded to 1.12b and locked it in

[cfuendev]

@magicman3211 not even kidding. I think this type of rollback on a feature should be somehow notified by the browser itself and not something you need to look into the GitHub for. Most people will just assume Zen is buggy.

[freskeh]

Unfortunately it's not working anymore with the latest twilight release 1.13t.

I guess they just really want to enforce their limit. It feels personal, like they hate us.

Sigh. I guess I'll try to downgrade to 1.12b and stay there forever.

[univalis]

It's not working...so it's not an anwser...
I hope it's going to be done ; #8441

[MaxHart828]

Yes, I want more than 12 as well.

I actually thought there was an error in the current version after trying to add a new tab to Essentials. I have 15 and have plenty of screen space for more.

I get why there might be some limit like no more than 50 or something. But 12? Seems arbitrarily low.

Pinned tabs (that actually don't pin but scroll around instead) are already nerfed.

More Essentials PLEASE.

[magicman3211]

I want unlim, should be upto the individual, how much resources you have, I have plenty

[Podolyakofs]

Same here, no more than 12 essentials is not good for quick access nowadays (and pin everything needed is not a solution - may be only if pin group (and group tab) possibility exist)

[magicman3211]

It would be nice if you could have nested group tabs like in Arc browser

[freskeh]

Personally really dislike this change too. I appreciate this browser, but I find it disrespectful for maintainers to push their use case on everyone. I personally prefer having everything I use frequently available in all workspaces, and trying to limit them takes up a lot of mental energy.

[JustTemmie]

I'm very annoyed with this change, it effectively removes the main reason im using Zen to begin with.

I personally believe a better solution would be to allow users to customize the limit thru about:config, it's very clear to the end user that this is not the intended experience, but it would allow power users to use the browser the way they want to.

[mowael01]

Hello everyone, I have found the line that causes the limit thing, could someone please rebuild the latest version after changing this line. I tried to do so but my bandwidth is limited and to fetch the repo requires more than 1.5 gigabytes. Please rebuild the browser and send me a link ;)

[shaqaruden]

What is your definition of correct usage of Essential Tabs. I looked through the docs but I could find anything referencing your opinion of what they should be used for.

Also other than visuals what are difference between essential vs pinned tabs?

[mr-cheffy]

@shaqaruden let's move this convo into just the PR since it's getting a bit confusing haha

[IAmTahazzot]

Just in general, correctly handle tabs overflowing the window when there are too much. But it all falls under incorrect usage of essentials, no one should have 30 essentials

Fair point.
Essentials, by definition, are meant to be few and critical. Having 12 or more defeats the purpose — if you have 15–20+, they’re likely not essential and could be pinned instead.

It’s best to wait for tab directory features like Arc. It’s likely already being considered, so for now, let’s stay patient or contribute.

[freskeh]

Essentials literally means absolutely necessary; extremely important. So having too many of it will burn you out. 12 is still too much. If you have 15-20+ essentials they aren't essential, you can pinned them.

I get it, I don't have right to complain because I'm not contributing anything, but I dislike this attitude. "Because I will never need 12. Because it fits my workflow. Nobody else should need it". What makes your way of doing something the ONLY WAY TO DO SOMETHING.

Yes they are essential to me. And pinning them will only make it accessible in one workspace. And the context switching between workspaces is too much for quick checks. For example if I want to read for a bit while waiting for my program to wrong, now I get to switch to the Growth workspace instead of my Work workspace. Sure for some people rigidity works well for them, but why can't people accept people's brain work differently. And why are you so confident you're right, and everyone else's wrong.

I'm done.

[IAmTahazzot]

@freskeh Thanks for sharing your perspective — everyone works differently, and what’s essential varies from person to person.

Just to clarify, I wasn't suggesting my setup should apply to everyone. My point was about what "essential" means in this context, not prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach. As @mauro-balades also pointed out, 30 tabs is too many and likely incorrect usage of essentials. Everyone defines essential differently — you’ve shared your view, I’ve shared mine, and I’m just being straightforward, not dismissive.

Regarding essential tabs across workspaces, it does create friction for quick access. A shared pinboard or customizable tab system could better accommodate different preferences.