Arc Browser Cheat Sheet: Master Boosts, Shortcuts, and Tidy

Arc isn’t just another browser; it’s a productivity OS for the web. By moving away from traditional tabs and embracing a keyboard-first workflow, Arc allows you to stay focused and organized. This cheat sheet covers everything from basic navigation to advanced CSS-based Boosts.

TL;DR

Command Bar — Use Cmd + T (Mac) or Ctrl + T (Win) as your central hub for everything.
Spaces — Organize your digital life into separate silos (Work, Personal, Side Projects).
Boosts — Customize any website with your own CSS and JavaScript in seconds.
Tidy Tabs — Let Arc’s AI automatically organize and archive your cluttered sidebar.

What are the most essential Arc shortcuts?

Arc is designed to be used without a mouse. Master these shortcuts to navigate the web with zero friction.

Shortcut (Mac)	Shortcut (Win)	Action
`Cmd + T`	`Ctrl + T`	Open Command Bar (Search, New Tab, Extensions).
`Cmd + L`	`Ctrl + L`	Focus the URL bar.
`Cmd + S`	`Ctrl + S`	Toggle Sidebar visibility.
`Cmd + 1, 2...`	`Ctrl + 1, 2...`	Switch between pinned tabs.
`Ctrl + Tab`	`Ctrl + Tab`	Quick-switch to your most recent tab.
`Cmd + W`	`Ctrl + W`	Close the current tab.

How do I organize my digital life with Spaces?

Spaces are the heart of Arc’s organization system. Instead of having 50 tabs open in one window, you can create dedicated environments for different contexts.

Pinned vs. Today Tabs

Pinned Tabs — These stay across sessions and are specific to a Space.
Today Tabs — These are temporary and will be archived automatically after 12 hours of inactivity (configurable in settings).

Pro Tip: Use Folders within Spaces to group related projects. You can even create Shared Folders to collaborate with team members directly from your sidebar.

What are Arc Boosts and how do I use them?

Boosts allow you to “remix” any website. You can change colors, hide annoying elements, or add new functionality using CSS and JavaScript.

Creating your first Boost

Click the Plus (+) at the bottom of the sidebar.
Select New Boost.
Choose whether you want to Replace Colors, Zap (hide elements), or write custom Code.

Example Use Case: Create a Boost for Gmail that hides the “Promotions” tab or changes the background to a custom gradient to match your workspace theme.

How does Arc’s AI (Max) improve productivity?

Arc Max is a suite of AI-powered features designed to automate the boring parts of browsing.

Tidy Tabs — Automatically groups your open tabs into logical sections based on content.
Tidy Downloads — Renames your downloaded files from generic strings like unnamed_123.pdf to descriptive names like MeshWorld_Invoice_April.pdf.
Ask on Page — Press Cmd + F and ask a question about the page content; the AI will find the answer for you instantly.

Summary

In this guide, you learned how to transform your browsing experience with Arc:

The essential Keyboard Shortcuts for a mouse-free workflow.
How to separate your work and personal life using Spaces.
Customizing the web to your liking with Arc Boosts.
Leveraging Arc Max AI to keep your sidebar and downloads organized.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arc Browser available on Windows?

Yes! As of 2024, Arc is fully available on Windows, bringing its signature sidebar and Space-based organization to the PC ecosystem.

Does Arc support Chrome extensions?

Yes, Arc is built on Chromium, meaning you can install any extension from the Chrome Web Store directly into Arc.

How do I sync my data across devices?

Arc uses iCloud (on Apple devices) or its own sync engine to keep your Spaces, Pinned Tabs, and Boosts consistent across your Mac, iPhone, and Windows machines.