Browserosaurus
An open-source browser prompter for macOS that lets you choose which browser opens clicked links.
What is Browserosaurus?
Browserosaurus is an open-source browser prompter application for macOS that intercepts link clicks from non-browser applications and presents a menu of installed browsers for the user to choose from. It replaces the system's default browser behavior, allowing flexible browser selection per link. The project is licensed under GPLv3 and supports both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs.
macOS users who frequently switch between multiple browsers and want to choose which browser opens links on a per-click basis, particularly developers, power users, and those who value open-source software.
It provides a simple, lightweight solution to macOS's rigid default browser system, offering control and customization without complex configuration. Being open-source, it allows community forks and tweaks for specific needs, unlike proprietary alternatives.
Overview
🦖 The browser prompter for macOS
Use Cases
Best For
- Choosing different browsers for specific links (e.g., work vs. personal browsing)
- Testing websites across multiple browsers quickly
- macOS users who want to override the default browser behavior
- Open-source enthusiasts looking for a customizable browser utility
- Power users managing multiple browser profiles or environments
- Developers needing to open links in specific browsers for debugging
Not Ideal For
- Users requiring ongoing maintenance and support for system utilities
- Cross-platform environments or non-macOS operating systems
- Projects where changing the default browser setting is undesirable
- Teams needing active community updates and bug fixes
Pros & Cons
Pros
It overrides macOS's default browser by presenting a menu of all installed browsers for each link click, giving users flexible control as described in the README.
Licensed under GPLv3, it allows forks and modifications, evidenced by community projects like Browseratops for Windows and Browserino for Swift UI.
Provides separate builds for Intel (x64) and Apple Silicon (arm64) machines, ensuring compatibility with modern Mac hardware as per the installation guide.
Can be installed via Homebrew cask with a simple command, offering a convenient setup method for macOS users, as noted in the README.
Cons
The project is no longer maintained, meaning no future updates, bug fixes, or support for new macOS versions, as explicitly stated in the README.
It only works on macOS, so users on other platforms must rely on forks or alternatives, which may lack the same features or stability.
Requires setting itself as the default browser to intercept links, which can complicate setup and lead to system integration issues for some users.
Documentation is limited and won't be updated, with only basic guides and no guarantees for troubleshooting newer macOS issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
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