uzbl

Uzbl

uzbl is a lightweight web browser based on WebKit that emphasizes simplicity and customizability. It is designed to allow extensive user configuration and control through its command line interface and extensibility through plugins and scripts.
uzbl image
webkit customizable extensible plugins scripts

Uzbl: Lightweight, Customizable Web Browser

A fast and feature-rich web browser based on WebKit, designed for simplicity, customizability, and control through its command line interface and plugin ecosystem.

What is Uzbl?

uzbl is a free, open-source web browser based on the WebKit rendering engine and the GTK+ toolkit. It was created with the goal of being highly configurable and extensible while remaining lightweight and fast.

Some key features and characteristics of uzbl include:

  • Minimalist interface by default, shows only the web content window.
  • Configured almost entirely through UNIX-style commands and scripts.
  • Binds keyboard shortcuts and activities to internal commands and scripts.
  • Extremely customizable appearance and behavior through user-written config files.
  • Supports extensive scripting using languages like Python, Perl, Ruby, and more to automate tasks.
  • Modular architecture allows features to be added through plug-ins.
  • Emphasizes freedom, control and knowledge for the user rather than ease-of-use.
  • Lightweight footprint using GTK+ and WebKit as dependencies.

In summary, uzbl is focused on being a highly hackable browser for advanced users who wish to control and script nearly every aspect of their web browsing experience. It trades off ease-of-use in favor of customizability and extensibility.

Uzbl Features

Features

  1. Lightweight and fast
  2. Built on WebKit engine
  3. Highly customizable and configurable via command line
  4. Supports plugins and user scripts for extensibility
  5. Tabbed browsing
  6. Vi-style key bindings
  7. Minimalist interface

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Very lightweight and fast

Extremely customizable

Good for advanced users who want control

Supports plugins and scripts

Active development and community

Cons

Lack of features compared to mainstream browsers

Steep learning curve

Not beginner friendly

Limited extension ecosystem


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