> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://irishdotnet.dev/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Migrating from Arc to Zen - URL: https://irishdotnet.dev/migrating-from-arc-to-zen/ - Published: 2025-03-09T20:45:30.000Z - Updated: 2025-06-02T21:24:06.000Z - Author: Richard Reddy - Tags: Browser, Zen, Arc Have you ever felt like your browser was more of a distraction than a helpful tool? That was me at the start of 2024\. I’d been using Google Chrome for ages, but then I found myself drawn to The Browser Company’s [**Arc**](https://arc.net/?ref=irishdotnet.dev). It had a neat suite of features—particularly its full-screen browsing mode, which quickly became a must-have for me. As someone who does a lot of presentations, I’m constantly screen-sharing. Being able to hide toolbars and rely on keyboard shortcuts really cleaned up my workflow. ## Why Zen? I loved Arc for its innovative features—especially its full-screen browsing mode and split page views—but recently it’s gone into maintenance mode, with no major new features on the horizon. As someone who values regular updates and fresh ideas, I knew it was time to seek out a browser that’s still evolving. That’s when I discovered [**Zen**](https://zen-browser.app/?ref=irishdotnet.dev). Zen is able to offer me that minimalist view I've grown to love, with the option of split views right out of the box. I was also struck by how lively the [**Zen community**](https://www.reddit.com/r/zen%5Fbrowser/?ref=irishdotnet.dev) on Reddit is. New features and bug fixes are released at breakneck speed, which shows this is truly a passion project for the development team. That kind of enthusiasm and momentum made me excited to jump on board. ## Zen configuration ![](https://irishdotnet.dev/content/images/2025/02/zen-f88420cc7ee209c7.png) When I switch to a new browser, I like to keep things as close to default as possible. I've been burnt in the past when an extension or tweak has caused issues so I didn’t fiddle too much with Zen beyond enabling **Compact View** to hide all the menu and address bars. A few extra modifications here and there add nice quality-of-life touches, but nothing too crazy. ### Mods installed ![](https://irishdotnet.dev/content/images/2025/02/CleanShot-2025-02-06-at-12.14.34@2x-59026064c8f92615.png) ### [Load Bar](https://zen-browser.app/mods/ae7868dc-1fa1-469e-8b89-a5edf7ab1f24/?ref=irishdotnet.dev) In compact mode, there’s no progress bar, so it’s easy to wonder if the site you clicked is loading at all. Load Bar puts a subtle, visual loading indicator on your screen—super handy. ### [NoHighlightSplit](https://zen-browser.app/mods/f50841b2-5e4a-4534-985d-b7f7b96088c2/?ref=irishdotnet.dev) Does exactly what it promises: removes the highlight around split windows when you hover. ### [Private Mode Highlighting](https://zen-browser.app/mods/58649066-2b6f-4a5b-af6d-c3d21d16fc00/?ref=irishdotnet.dev) Adds small but clear indicators that let you know you’re browsing in Private mode. ### [SuperPins](https://zen-browser.app/mods/ad97bb70-0066-4e42-9b5f-173a5e42c6fc/?ref=irishdotnet.dev) Makes pinned tabs look a bit cleaner. Chances are Zen will polish pinned tabs in the future, so this mod might not be needed forever. ## 1Password setup ![](https://irishdotnet.dev/content/images/2025/02/CleanShot-2025-02-06-at-12.09.17@2x-28209d9c12a717d3.png) As of March 2025, **1Password** still doesn’t automatically detect Zen as a “trusted browser.” That meant I had to log in to the 1Password Firefox extension every time I opened a new tab—annoying, right? Thankfully, there’s an easy fix: 1. Open 1Password and head to **Settings**. 2. Select **Browser** and click **Add Browser**. 3. Tell 1Password, “Yes, Zen is trustworthy!” After doing this, the extension syncs with your 1Password app so you stay logged in as you open new tabs. It’s a huge time-saver. ## Bookmarks & Pinned Pages Migrating bookmarks from Arc to Zen was seamless, but pinned pages didn’t automatically transfer. Because I only had a handful, I set them up manually. If you have tons of pinned links, you might need to do a bit more digging into Zen’s import options—or just re-pin them by hand. ## Browsing Experience I’m happy to say that Zen handles everyday browsing like a champ. I rarely encounter rendering issues, even though Firefox (the base for Zen) is sometimes known for gradient glitches. For me, it’s been smooth sailing, and I don’t see any drop in performance compared to other browsers. ## Keyboard Shortcuts ![](https://irishdotnet.dev/content/images/2025/03/CleanShot-2025-03-09-at-20.42.40@2x.png) Earlier in my post, I mentioned how I loved the keyboard shortcuts in Arc. Well, Zen is also another browser that uses similar shortcuts. Most browsers will let you open a new tab with cmd+T or open a closed tab with cmd+shift+T, but I loved how Zen also let me copy the URL with cmd+shift+c, just like Arc does. I copy URLs every hour, so not having to relearn how the browser wants me to do this was a big win for me. Another handy shortcut when in compact mode is cmd+l to add focus to the address bar quickly. There are loads more shortcuts, as with all browsers, but the above are my Go To's. ## Final Thoughts Overall, my shift from Arc to Zen has been refreshingly smooth. The minimalist browsing experience, rapid-fire feature updates, and supportive community made the jump more than worthwhile. If you’re craving a cleaner, more focused interface and love seeing new ideas implemented at lightning speed, Zen is definitely worth a shot. Already using it? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about your experience or any tips/extensions you’ve discovered along the way.