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Arc Browser Launches Powerful New Feature: 5 Ways Stay Folders Auto-Update Your Tabs

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Arc Browser: Stay Folders! Learn how this powerful tool auto-updates your tabs

Arc Browser is rolling out a game-changing update: Live Folders (also known as Stay Folders), a powerful automation tool designed to streamline your workflow. Here are five compelling use cases that show how this feature reinvents the way you manage browser tabs.

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1. 🧩 Seamless GitHub PR Tracking

Automatically create and populate pull request folders

Gone are the days of manually toggling between GitHub and your browser tabs. With Live Folders, the moment you create a GitHub pull request, Arc automatically generates a sidebar folder titled “Pull Requests.” That folder instantly fills with the PR and keeps updating—showing PRs you created, reviewed, were assigned, or mentioned indocs.arc.computer+15resources.arc.net+15umatechnology.org+15.

Clear completed tasks automatically

Once a pull request is merged or closed, Arc removes its tab from the Live Folder—helping you focus only on active workumatechnology.org. The sidebar remains uncluttered, showing only what needs attention.

Peek into new PRs—even in closed folders

If a Live Folder is collapsed and a new relevant PR appears, Arc “peeks out” the folder to highlight the update—making sure nothing slips past youtechcrunch.com+1ttspress.com+1.

2. Custom Filtering to Fit Your Workflow

Granular control with right-click options

Live Folders offer flexible filters. By right-clicking on the folder, you can view PRs that are:

This level of filtering makes it easy to switch perspectives—whether you’re tracking your code, reviewing teammate contributions, or monitoring drafts.

3. Manual Folder Creation and Deactivation

Enable or disable on demand

If Live Folders don’t appear automatically, you can still manually activate them:

  1. Right-click on an empty area of your sidebar.
  2. Select Live Folders → GitHub.
  3. Authenticate with GitHub if promptedcom+11thewindowsclub.blog+11umatechnology.org+11windowsreport.com+3allthings.how+3reddit.com+3docs.arc.computer.

To deactivate, simply right-click the Live Folder and choose Delete Live Folder. Arc won’t generate a new one until you re-enable itreddit.com+4resources.arc.net+4thewindowsclub.blog+4.

4. Consistency Across Platforms: macOS & Windows

Live Folders launched in April 2024 on Arc for macOS (v1.38.0) and quickly rolled out to Windows (v1.5.0) by June 6, 2024reddit.com+15resources.arc.net+15reddit.com+15. The design team, including contributors like Freddy, Connor, and Miko, were instrumental in making it available across platformsreddit.com+2resources.arc.net+2reddit.com+2.

macOS even saw performance optimization updates in May 2024 (v1.44.1), which included phasing out old GitHub preview features in favor of Live Foldersreddit.com+2resources.arc.net+2reddit.com+2.

5. A Dynamic Tracking System for Daily Work

Building toward workspace intelligence

Arc’s CEO Josh Miller describes Live Folders as part of a broader goal: a browser that helps “browse the web for you.” In the future, Arc hopes to support more intelligent features like tab automation, multi-link pasting, and AI-powered browsing—targeting the kind of repetitive work that saps time, such as routine operations teachers perform with spreadsheetsallthings.how+3theverge.com+3ttspress.com+3.

Expanding into new integrations

While the current Live Folders focus is GitHub, the company has plans to extend support to services like Google Calendar, Google Drive, Figma, and even RSS feedstechcrunch.com+1ttspress.com+1. This flexibility is designed to provide updates across your digital tools—not just in code.

6. Real‑World Feedback & Limitations

Developer reactions

Reddit users praised the feature as a “game changer”, noting:

“As a developer using GitHub every day, it is really a game changer for my workflow… it is not intrusive at all.”reddit.com
Another said:
“Live folders are awesome!!”theverge.com+15reddit.com+15reddit.com+15

Areas for improvement

However, some users noted issues:

  • PRs disappearing after approval, even if not merged. Users want pending PRs to stay visible until completedcom+15reddit.com+15docs.arc.computer+15.
  • Lack of support for GitHub Enterprise (SSO) and self-hosted GitLab—limiting many enterprise userscom.

Arc’s team acknowledges these concerns and advises users to offer feedback through official channels.

7. 5 Powerful Use Cases of Live Folders

Let’s break down five practical ways Live Folders transform your daily browsing and coding workflow:

1. Active Development Focus

Your PRs appear, stay updated, and disappear only when merged—giving you a real-time snapshot of your active work, without manual tab curation.

2. Review Management

Filter for review requests only—great when you’re overseeing pull requests from teammates.

3. Draft Awareness

Want to stay on top of your own in-progress PRs? Filter to show drafts exclusively, so nothing slips into limbo.

4. Team-wide Updates

Monitor PRs across your organization by filtering for specific repositories, even those you didn’t author yourself.

5. Anticipating Future Features

As integrations with calendar, design tools, document drives, or RSS roll out, Live Folders could track everything from scheduled meetings to design updates—in a unified, auto‑updating pane.

8. Behind the Scenes: Design & Innovation

Motivated by real user stories

Josh Miller recalls a teacher who spent an hour weekly simply copying and pasting data—highlighting the need for automationumatechnology.orgthewindowsclub.blogtechcrunch.com+3reddit.com+3ttspress.com+3theverge.com.

The goal is to minimize repetitive switching between tabs, giving users easier context and control right inside the browser.

Collaborating with designers

Arc has expanded its design team with former figures from Safari and WhatsApp to improve interfaces like Live Folderstheverge.comtechcrunch.com+1ttspress.com+1.

9. How to Get Started with Live Folders

  1. Update to the latest Arc (macOS v1.38+/Windows v1.5+).
  2. Create a GitHub PR—Arc should auto-generate your Live Folder.
  3. Or, manually enable it via right‑click → Live Folders → GitHub.
  4. Adjust filters by right-clicking inside the folder.
  5. Collapse or expand the folder; watch for “peek‑out” behavior on new PRs.
  6. Deactivate anytime via right‑click → Delete Live Folder.

10. The Road Ahead: More Integrations, Smarter Automation

Arc’s roadmap includes:

Future Live Folders could become dynamic, personalized dashboards powered by AI—tracking PRs, meetings, file changes, new design iterations, and even blog posts or news articles you care about.

Wrapping Up

Arc’s Live Folders marks a significant shift in how browsers can proactively organize your work. No longer passive repositories of open tabs—it’s a dynamic, intelligent assistant.

  • Top use case: GitHub PR tracking with auto-creation and auto-filtering
  • Coming soon: Expansions into calendars, drives, design tools, RSS feeds
  • Feedback rounds: Better enterprise support, manual PR retention, and more
  • Future vision: A browser that understands and automates your routine

Arc is evolving from a tab manager into a proactive workspace companion—one that anticipates your needs, surfaces relevant content, and optimizes productivity.

The Importance of Developing Browsers for New Applications

The development of modern browsers is a critical driver in the evolution of web applications and the digital experience. As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, the demand for innovative applications that push the boundaries of user interaction and functionality has never been higher. In response to this demand, browser developers are tasked with constantly enhancing their products to support new, more sophisticated applications. This continuous evolution of browsers is important for several reasons, particularly in terms of providing better user experiences, supporting emerging technologies, ensuring security, and enabling cross-platform consistency.

One of the most significant aspects of browser development is its role in optimizing user experience (UX). With the growing complexity of web applications—ranging from interactive websites to enterprise-level systems—users expect faster, smoother, and more intuitive interactions. New browsers incorporate faster rendering engines, improved JavaScript performance, and more efficient memory usage, all of which contribute to faster page loads and smoother application functionality. This results in reduced friction for users, allowing them to navigate complex applications with ease, thus enhancing productivity and satisfaction.

Another vital reason for developing browsers to accommodate new applications is the need to support emerging web technologies. The internet is rapidly shifting towards more immersive, interactive experiences, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and progressive web applications (PWAs). These technologies require powerful browser features such as WebXR for AR/VR, service workers for offline capabilities, and native app-like performance. Without continuous updates and innovations from browser developers, these technologies would struggle to find a place in the web ecosystem. The development of browsers that support these technologies enables businesses to create next-generation experiences that were previously confined to native mobile apps or desktop software.

Security is another critical factor in browser development. With increasing concerns over privacy, data breaches, and cyberattacks, it is essential for browsers to stay ahead of evolving security threats. Modern browsers integrate advanced security protocols such as HTTPS encryption, sandboxing, and phishing protection, which ensure that users are browsing safely while interacting with new, potentially vulnerable applications. As new types of applications emerge, they can often present novel security challenges—whether through user data handling, third-party integrations, or online payments. A browser that is well-developed and up to date can mitigate these risks and offer a safe, secure environment for both developers and end-users.

Furthermore, cross-platform consistency is a major consideration in the development of browsers for new applications. As users now access the internet through various devices—smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even smart TVs—there is a strong demand for seamless, consistent web experiences across all platforms. By continuously enhancing browsers, developers ensure that web applications are able to perform consistently across different operating systems and device types. This uniformity not only benefits the end user but also streamlines the development process for app creators, allowing them to focus on building features rather than worrying about platform-specific issues.

In conclusion, the continuous development of browsers is indispensable for the growth of new applications. By improving speed, supporting new technologies, enhancing security, and ensuring cross-platform compatibility, browsers provide the foundation for creating dynamic and innovative web experiences. As the demand for advanced web applications continues to grow, so too must the browsers that support them, driving both technological progress and user satisfaction in the digital age.

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