Quick Shortcuts

Overview

The Quick Shortcuts feature is NEXUS's most powerful productivity tool - an AI-powered command palette that provides instant access to your bookmarks, top sites, recent tabs, and universal search engines. With machine learning-based predictions and local logo assets, it adapts to your browsing patterns while serving all types of users.

Core Features

• AI-Powered Predictions - Machine learning algorithms predict your most likely tabs
• Instant Access - Press K for immediate command palette access
• Universal Search Engines - 5 carefully selected engines for all user types
• Local Logo Assets - Fast-loading SVG logos stored locally
• Web Search - Instant search across 5 search engines
• Cross-Browser Compatibility - Works seamlessly across Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
• Keyboard Navigation - Complete functionality without mouse interaction

Getting Started

Opening Quick Shortcuts

Access the command palette using the keyboard shortcut:

• Primary Method - Press K when the new tab has focus
• Alternative - Click the search icon in the interface (if visible)
• Context-Aware - Only works when not typing in input fields
• Instant Response - Opens immediately with AI-predicted tab selected

First Use Experience

1. Open Command Palette

   Press K to open the Quick Shortcuts panel

2. Explore Tab Types

   Notice the three tabs: Bookmarks, Top Sites, and Recent Tabs

3. Use Search Engines

   Type your query and press Enter for Google, or click any search engine below

4. Use Keyboard Navigation

   Use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select items

Tab Types

Bookmarks Tab

Access your browser bookmarks with intelligent organization:

• Recursive Scanning - Searches through all bookmark folders
• Favicon Caching - Fast-loading icons with IndexedDB persistence
• Fallback Content - Popular sites when no bookmarks exist
• Consistent Layout - Always shows exactly 6 items

Top Sites Tab

Your most frequently visited websites with analytics:

• Browser Analytics - Uses browser's built-in top sites data
• Visit Frequency - Ordered by actual usage patterns
• Cross-Browser Support - Works with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge APIs
• Intelligent Filtering - Excludes internal browser pages

Recent Tabs Tab

Recently closed tabs with AI-powered ranking:

• Session Restoration - Attempts to restore closed tabs when possible
• History Integration - Fills gaps with recent browser history
• AI Ranking - Machine learning-based relevance scoring
• Deduplication - Removes duplicate URLs for clean interface

AI-Powered Features

Intelligent Tab Prediction

The AI system automatically selects the most relevant tab when you open Quick Shortcuts:

• Behavior Learning - Analyzes your usage patterns over time
• Context Awareness - Considers time of day and recent activity
• Confidence Scoring - Only predicts when confidence is high
• Adaptive Thresholds - Adjusts based on your consistency patterns

Smart Content Ordering

Within each tab, content is intelligently ordered:

• Bookmarks - Most relevant bookmarks appear first
• Top Sites - Contextually appropriate sites prioritized
• Recent Tabs - AI-ranked by likelihood of re-access
• Search Engines - Contextually relevant options

Search Functionality

Web Search

The search system provides instant web search across multiple engines:

• 5 Search Engines - DuckDuckGo, YouTube, Wikipedia, Amazon, Ecosia
• Quick Access - Type query and press Enter for Google search
• Engine Selection - Click any search engine for targeted searches
• Instant Navigation - Direct search without leaving the new tab

Universal Search Engines

NEXUS includes 5 carefully curated search engines that appeal to all types of users:

DuckDuckGo

• Purpose: Privacy-focused general search
• Benefits: No tracking, clean results, ad-free experience
• Best For: Privacy-conscious users, distraction-free searching

YouTube

• Purpose: Video content and learning platform
• Benefits: Tutorials, entertainment, educational content
• Best For: Learning new skills, entertainment, how-to guides

Wikipedia

• Purpose: Free encyclopedia and knowledge base
• Benefits: Reliable information, comprehensive articles
• Best For: Research, fact-checking, learning about topics

Amazon

• Purpose: Product search and e-commerce
• Benefits: Direct product access, reviews, price comparison
• Best For: Shopping, product research, finding deals

Ecosia

• Purpose: Eco-friendly search engine
• Benefits: Plants trees with ad revenue, privacy-focused
• Best For: Environmentally conscious users, general search

Pro Tip: Press Enter in the search box for default Google search when you need general web results.

Keyboard Navigation

Advanced Navigation

• Type to Search - Start typing immediately to filter results
• Arrow Key Navigation - Precise selection with visual feedback
• Tab Switching - Use Tab key to cycle between categories
• Enter to Open - Opens items in current tab for seamless workflow

Favicon System

Intelligent Caching

NEXUS features a sophisticated favicon caching system:

• Three-Tier Caching - Session cache, IndexedDB, and fallback generation
• CORS Mitigation - Uses Google's favicon service to avoid loading issues
• Fallback Generation - Creates letter-based icons when favicons fail
• Performance Optimization - Instant loading for cached icons

Cross-Browser Compatibility

• Chrome - Full API support with extension storage
• Firefox - Promise-based API with WebExtensions
• Edge - Chromium-based compatibility
• Fallback Strategies - Graceful degradation when APIs unavailable

Technical Implementation

Local Logo System

NEXUS uses a sophisticated local logo system for optimal performance:

1. Local Storage

   All search engine logos stored locally in the extension

2. SVG Format

   Vector graphics ensure crisp display at any resolution

3. Instant Loading

   No network requests needed - logos load immediately

4. Enhanced Visibility

   Subtle backgrounds and hover effects for dark theme compatibility

Data Loading Strategy

Quick Shortcuts uses concurrent loading for optimal performance:

1. Parallel Loading

   All data sources (bookmarks, top sites, recent tabs) load simultaneously

2. Error Isolation

   Individual loader failures don't affect other data sources

3. Fallback Content

   Popular sites used when browser data is unavailable

4. Consistent UI

   Always maintains 6-item layout regardless of available data

Performance Optimizations

• Lazy Loading - Data only loads when panel is opened
• Efficient DOM - Minimal DOM manipulation for smooth animations
• Memory Management - Proper cleanup and garbage collection
• Caching Strategy - Multi-tier caching for instant response

Accessibility Features

• Screen Reader Support - Proper ARIA labels and live regions
• Keyboard Navigation - Complete functionality without mouse
• Focus Management - Proper focus trapping and restoration
• High Contrast - Works with high contrast browser modes
• Semantic HTML - Proper dialog and navigation markup

Productivity Workflows

Quick Navigation

• Instant Access - K → click any bookmark, tab, or site
• Recent Tab Recovery - Quickly restore accidentally closed tabs
• Universal Search - Access privacy, learning, shopping, and eco-friendly search
• AI Assistance - Let the AI predict your most likely destination

Search Engine Workflows

• Privacy Research - Use DuckDuckGo for tracking-free searches
• Learning & Tutorials - YouTube for video-based learning
• Knowledge Lookup - Wikipedia for quick facts and research
• Product Research - Amazon for shopping and price comparison
• Eco-Conscious Search - Ecosia to search while supporting reforestation

Advanced Usage

• Muscle Memory - Consistent keyboard patterns for efficiency
• Search Shortcuts - Type partial names for instant filtering
• Tab Switching - Use Tab key to explore different content types
• Context Switching - AI adapts to different times of day and usage patterns

Troubleshooting

Quick Shortcuts Not Opening

• Ensure the new tab page has focus when pressing K
• Check that no input fields are focused
• Verify NEXUS extension is enabled and up to date
• Try refreshing the page if the feature seems unresponsive

Missing Bookmarks or Sites

• Check browser permissions for the NEXUS extension
• Ensure bookmarks exist in your browser
• Verify top sites have been visited recently
• Try opening and closing some tabs to populate recent tabs

Slow Loading or Missing Favicons

• Check internet connection for favicon downloading
• Clear browser cache if favicons appear corrupted
• Disable other extensions that might interfere with image loading
• Wait for the caching system to build up over time

Privacy & Data

• Local Processing - All data processing happens on your device
• No External Transmission - Browsing data never leaves your computer
• Browser APIs Only - Uses standard browser APIs for data access
• Favicon Service - Only uses Google's favicon service for icon loading

Next Steps

Now that you understand Quick Shortcuts, explore these related features:

• AI Tab Prediction - Learn how the AI system works behind the scenes
• Keyboard Shortcuts - Master all NEXUS shortcuts
• Quick Start Guide - Put Quick Shortcuts into practice
• Advanced Settings - Customize Quick Shortcuts behavior