# Zen Browser — A Calmer, Privacy-Focused Firefox Fork

> An open-source web browser built on Firefox that emphasizes a minimalist interface, strong privacy defaults, and a calm browsing experience with built-in ad blocking and tracking protection.

## Install

Save as a script file and run:

# Zen Browser — A Calmer, Privacy-Focused Firefox Fork

## Quick Use
```bash
# Flatpak (Linux)
flatpak install flathub app.zen_browser.zen

# macOS (Homebrew Cask)
brew install --cask zen-browser

# Or download from the official site for any platform
# https://zen-browser.app/download
```

## Introduction
Zen Browser is a Firefox-based browser designed for users who want a distraction-free, privacy-respecting browsing experience. It strips away visual clutter, ships with enhanced tracking protection enabled by default, and offers a unique vertical tab sidebar. The project is fully open source and community-driven.

## What Zen Browser Does
- Provides a clean, minimal UI built on top of the Firefox engine (Gecko)
- Enables enhanced tracking protection and fingerprinting resistance out of the box
- Features a collapsible vertical tab sidebar for efficient tab management
- Supports Firefox extensions and the full WebExtensions API
- Offers split-view browsing to display two pages side by side

## Architecture Overview
Zen Browser is a downstream fork of Firefox that applies a custom set of CSS themes, UI modifications, and preference overrides on top of Mozilla's Gecko rendering engine. The build system uses Mozilla's `mach` toolchain with additional patches for the sidebar, compact mode, and privacy-hardened defaults. Updates track upstream Firefox releases to maintain security patch parity.

## Self-Hosting & Configuration
- Download pre-built binaries for Windows, macOS, and Linux from the project website
- Import bookmarks and settings from Firefox, Chrome, or other browsers during setup
- Customize the sidebar, toolbar, and theme through the built-in settings panel
- All Firefox `about:config` preferences are accessible for advanced tuning
- Extension support is identical to Firefox; install add-ons from addons.mozilla.org

## Key Features
- Vertical tab sidebar that auto-collapses to save screen space
- Split-view mode for multitasking with two tabs visible simultaneously
- Compact mode that reduces UI chrome to maximize content area
- Built-in tracking protection stricter than Firefox's default settings
- Full Firefox compatibility: same engine, same extensions, same web standards

## Comparison with Similar Tools
- **Firefox** — the upstream base; Zen adds a redesigned UI and stricter privacy defaults
- **Brave** — Chromium-based with built-in ad blocker; Zen uses Gecko and focuses on calm UX
- **Vivaldi** — feature-rich Chromium browser; Zen prioritizes minimalism over customization depth
- **LibreWolf** — another privacy-hardened Firefox fork; Zen adds unique UI features like split view
- **Arc** — modern Chromium browser with sidebar tabs; Zen is open source and Firefox-based

## FAQ
**Q: Is Zen Browser compatible with all Firefox extensions?**
A: Yes. It uses the same Gecko engine and WebExtensions API, so all Firefox add-ons work.

**Q: How often does it receive security updates?**
A: The project tracks upstream Firefox releases and typically ships security updates within days.

**Q: Can I sync bookmarks and tabs across devices?**
A: Yes, via Firefox Sync. Sign in with a Mozilla account to sync bookmarks, history, and tabs.

**Q: Does it support Chromium extensions?**
A: No. Like Firefox, it only supports WebExtensions-compatible add-ons from the Mozilla store.

## Sources
- https://github.com/zen-browser/desktop
- https://zen-browser.app/

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/asset-f2b0538c
Author: Script Depot