New Tab (Start) Page

Last updated on 22 May 2025

When you open a new tab in Wavebox, you’ll see a page that can be customized to match your workflow. The default new tab page includes a gradient background and a central search box, but there are more options you can configure:

Default Search Page
Global custom URL
Any dashboard

Default Search Page

By default, Wavebox displays a minimal page with a gradient background and a built-in search field.

Search engine: To change the search engine, go to Settings > General > Search.
Customize: In any new tab page, click the ⚙ Dashboard Settings icon top-right to change the background image/color.

Global Custom URL

Settings > General > Appearance > New Tab Page

To open a chosen site in any new tab (group-specific settings can overwrite this):

Go to ⚙ Wavebox Settings > General > Appearance > New Tab Page
Check the third radio button.
Type your custom URL, e.g., your company website.
Close Settings and open a new tab to see your changes.

Group Custom URL

To show a different URL in new tab pages for a group (this overrides all other settings):

Right-click the Group icon in the webdock and select ⚙ Settings > Group Settings.
In the Behaviour section, enter your New Tab URL in the text field.
Close Settings and open a new tab in that group to see your changes.

Global Dashboard

Dashboards are customizable pages with widgets and shortcuts. You can use a dashboard as your new tab page. They work similarly to chrome extensions like Start.me.

In Wavebox Main Settings:

Go to ⚙ Wavebox Settings > General > Appearance > New Tab Page
Check the second radio button.
Click the dropdown menu and select a dashboard from the list.
Close Settings and open a new tab to see your changes.

In a Dashboard's Settings:

Go to the Dashboard and click the ⚙Settings icon top-right.
In the pop-up, check the box next to 'Use as your New Tab'.

Space Custom Dashboard

You can specify a dashboard to show in a particular space.

In any Dashboard click on the ☰ Menu icon top-left.
Click ⋮ next to the dashboard name and pick 'Use as your New Tab'.
Click the checkbox next to your chosen Space (e.g. “Work” or “Client A”).

Note: If you don't see the ☰ Dashboard Menu icon top-left, you may need to enable Advanced Dashboard Management in the Dashboard’s settings.

Troubleshooting

Your custom page isn’t showing: Make sure no Group-specific setting overrides the global or Space configuration.
Wrong search engine: Go to Settings > General Tab > Search to update the default engine.
Return to default: Clear or remove the custom URL or dashboard assignment in Settings or Dashboard management.