johnste/finicky
Finicky
Finicky is a URL routing tool that intercepts link-open requests and directs each URL to a designated browser before navigation occurs. It operates as a stateless proxy that evaluates user-defined patterns, context, and scriptable logic to dispatch links to the correct browser or profile, keeping work, personal, and other browsing activities separate.
The tool distinguishes itself through scriptable routing logic, allowing users to write JavaScript or TypeScript functions that inspect URL details, the source application, and other context to determine the routing decision. It also supports context-aware rule matching, where both the destination URL and the application that triggered the link influence the browser choice. Additionally, Finicky includes a URL pattern rewriting engine that can modify or strip query parameters before the browser opens the link—useful for enforcing HTTPS or removing tracking parameters.
Beyond scriptable and context-based routing, Finicky offers pattern-based routing with multi-condition rules, browser launch configuration including profile selection and command-line arguments, and external integration via a browser extension for context menus and keyboard shortcuts. It can also fall back to a third-party browser picker when no automated rule applies. The tool is configured with a JavaScript or TypeScript configuration file, and it launches browsers using shell commands, supporting any installed browser application.
Features
- URL-Based Browser Selection - Intercepts URL requests and routes them to specific browser applications based on configurable rules.
- Context-Sensitive Link Routers - Opens links in different browsers based on the destination URL and the app that triggered the link.
- URL Routing Proxies - Rewrites and redirects URLs to designated browsers or profiles using pattern matching.
- Browser Routing Rules - Provides configurable URL pattern rules to route links to designated browsers, separating work and personal browsing.
- Scriptable Browser Routing - Allows defining routing logic through custom JavaScript or TypeScript scripts that evaluate URL patterns for browser selection.
- Source-Triggered URL Matchers - Allows routing based on the source application that triggered a link, not just the destination URL.
- URL Routing Scripts - Provides JavaScript and TypeScript functions that inspect URL details to decide the target browser.
- Browser URL Dispatchers - Routes URLs to designated browsers based on user-defined domain patterns before navigation occurs.
- Browser Launch Commands - Launches browsers by executing shell commands with the URL passed as an argument.
- Tracking Parameter Removers - Strips tracking query parameters and rewrites URLs to enforce HTTPS before opening them.
- Stateless Architectures - Operates as a lightweight stateless HTTP request router without maintaining session state.
- Browser Launchers - A configurable dispatcher that launches different browsers depending on URL patterns and context.
- Routed Browser Launcher Configurations - Configures browser launch settings including profile selection and command-line arguments for routing.
- URL Rewrite Rules - Modifies URL paths before opening them to enforce security or remove tracking parameters.
- Client-Side URL Rewriters - Modifies URL paths and query parameters using match-and-replace rules before the browser opens the link.
- Client-Side URL Rewriting - Rewrites URL paths before page load to enforce HTTPS or remove tracking parameters using configurable match rules.
- Multi-Browser Coordination - Organizes multiple browser instances and automatically assigns each link to the correct one.
- Developer Utilities - Routes links to specific browsers based on custom rules.
- Web Browsers - Route links to specific browsers based on custom rules.
- System Utilities - Define rules for opening links in specific browsers.
