URL Filtering

URL Filtering lets a close schedule match any tab whose address contains the link you typed, not only the exact address. Type github.com, and the schedule can close every GitHub page you have open. It helps when you want to clear a whole site at once, such as social media at the start of your workday.

How URL Filtering works

Without URL Filtering, a close schedule closes a tab only when its address matches your Website Link exactly. A tab showing github.com/notifications would not match a link of github.com.

With URL Filtering ticked, the check becomes a contains check. You do not need to type the https part or www. at the start, because the filter applies after them. Tab Scheduler then closes any tab whose address contains the rest of your link. For example, a link of example.com/page also matches example.com/page/123, example.com/page?query=example and subdomain.example.com/page.

URL Filtering only affects closing. When a schedule opens a website, it always opens the exact link you entered. In an Open, then close schedule, the filter applies to the closing step.

The option is ticked for you when you choose Close matching tabs as the Schedule Type, and when you use Duplicate as close schedule. In the Scheduled Tab List, a small funnel icon under the website link shows which schedules use it.

URL Filtering or * wildcards?

Both let one schedule match many tabs. URL Filtering is the simple choice. You type a plain link and tick one box, and every address that contains it matches. With * you decide where the match happens. Put * at both ends to match anywhere in the address, * at the start to match the end of the address, or * at the end to match the start. Entering only * closes every tab. If you need a match at the start or end of the address, use *. If you just want everything on one site, use URL Filtering.

How to use URL Filtering

1. Click the Tab Scheduler icon in your browser toolbar and choose Settings.
2. In Website Link, type the part of the address you want to match, such as github.com.
3. Choose how often it runs in Select Frequency, for example Every Day.
4. Set Schedule Type to Close matching tabs, or to Open, then close if the same schedule should open the site first.
5. Enter the Close Time, plus the date or days if your frequency asks for them.
6. Under More options, make sure URL Filtering is ticked. You can also tick Do not close pinned tabs or Do not close active tab.
7. Click Save Schedule.

When to use URL Filtering

• Focus at work. Website Link youtube.com, Every Week, Close on days Monday to Friday, Close Time 9:00. Every YouTube page you have open closes when your workday starts, whatever video it shows.
• End of the day. Website Link github.com, Every Day, Close Time 18:00. All your GitHub tabs close together, not just the home page.
• After a course. A One Time schedule closes every tab of learn.example.com at 17:00 on the last day of the course.

Good to know about URL Filtering

• Be specific. A short word matches every address that contains it, on any site, so a full domain such as github.com is safer than a single word.
• URL Filtering does not change how a website opens. If a schedule only opens a site, leave it unticked.
• Your other close options still apply, such as Do not close pinned tabs, Do not close active tab and Close only incognito tabs.
• URL Filtering is free on every plan.