Firefox users often switch back and forth between multiple tabs. When many tabs are open—especially several from the same website—it can be difficult to visually identify which tab was used most recently. Currently, Firefox only distinguishes the active tab from inactive tabs, providing no indication of recent tab usage.
Proposed Feature
Add optional gradient-based highlighting to represent tab recency:
The active tab uses the most prominent highlight
One or two previously active tabs display intermediate colors in a gradient
Older inactive tabs keep the default appearance
The gradient reflects recency of use, not tab order.
Benefits
Faster visual recognition of recently used tabs
Reduced cognitive load during frequent tab switching
Improved navigation efficiency without adding new UI elements
Configuration & Accessibility
Enable/disable
Number of recently highlighted tabs
Theme-aware and high-contrast compatible colors
Must respect accessibility guidelines, including color-blind-friendly palettes
Motivation
Firefox emphasizes user choice, accessibility, and productivity. Subtle visual feedback for recent tab usage aligns with these principles while preserving a clean and customizable interface.
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