The infinite canvas browser for visual thinkers. Escape tab chaos forever.
Vortex is a free, open-source Chrome extension that transforms your browser into an infinite spatial canvas. Websites become draggable, resizable nodes. Links create visual connections. Your research path is always visible.
Perfect for: Researchers, students, designers, writers, and anyone who thinks visually and is tired of tab overload.
-
Unzip the downloaded file — you'll see a
distfolder inside -
Open Chrome and go to
chrome://extensions -
Enable "Developer mode" (toggle in top-right corner)
-
Click "Load unpacked" and select the
distfolder -
Done! Click the Vortex icon in your toolbar to start.
# 1. Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/Koushith/vortex.git
cd vortex
# 2. Install dependencies
npm install
# 3. Build the extension
npm run build
# 4. Load the extension
# Go to chrome://extensions → Enable Developer mode → Load unpacked → Select the `dist` folder# Run with hot reload
npm run dev- Click the Vortex icon in your browser toolbar
- Click "Open Canvas" to enter your spatial workspace
- Use + Page or press
⌘Kto add websites - Click links inside nodes — they open as connected child nodes
- Drag nodes to arrange your workspace
Pro tip: Click "Import Tabs" to convert all your open tabs into canvas nodes!
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Infinite Canvas | Pan and zoom freely across your workspace |
| Visual Browsing | Websites as interactive, resizable nodes |
| Smart Connections | Links auto-connect to show your research path |
| Sticky Notes | Attach notes to nodes — they move together |
| Color Coding | Organize with 7 color options |
| Layer Panel | Figma-style sidebar showing all pages |
| Minimap | Navigate large workspaces easily |
| Dark Mode | Easy on the eyes |
| Auto-Save | Your workspace persists automatically |
| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| Quick Add URL | ⌘K |
| Search Nodes | ⌘F |
| Pan Canvas | Space + Drag |
| Zoom | ⌘+ / ⌘- or Scroll |
| Fit All in View | ⌘1 |
| Reset Zoom | ⌘0 |
| Duplicate Node | ⌘D |
| Delete Node | Delete / Backspace |
| Connect Nodes | Shift + Click |
| Focus Node | Double-click |
| Context Menu | Right-click |
- React 18 — UI framework
- Vite — Build tool
- Chrome Extension Manifest V3 — Extension architecture
- Chrome Storage API — Local persistence
vortex/
├── public/
│ ├── manifest.json # Extension manifest
│ ├── background.js # Service worker
│ ├── content-script.js # Page injection
│ └── icons/ # Extension icons
├── src/
│ ├── App.jsx # Main application
│ ├── components/
│ │ ├── Canvas.jsx # Infinite canvas
│ │ ├── Node.jsx # Website node
│ │ ├── Sidebar.jsx # Layer panel
│ │ ├── Minimap.jsx # Navigation minimap
│ │ └── StickyNote.jsx # Note component
│ └── index.css # Styles
├── dist/ # Built extension (load this in Chrome)
└── package.json
- Memory management — Auto-suspend inactive nodes, LRU eviction, viewport-based loading
- Multiple workspaces — Switch between different research contexts
- Collaboration — Share workspaces with others
- AI summarization — Quick summaries of page content
- Cross-device sync — Access your canvas anywhere
Contributions are welcome!
- Fork the repository
- Create your feature branch:
git checkout -b feature/awesome-feature - Commit your changes:
git commit -m 'Add awesome feature' - Push to the branch:
git push origin feature/awesome-feature - Open a Pull Request
MIT License — see LICENSE for details.
Built by Koushith
If you find Vortex useful, give it a ⭐ on GitHub!