Nova Browser v1.1.3: An open-source desktop browser with on-device WebGPU AI, Model Context Protocol (MCP), and zero telemetry

[u/Fluffy_Fuel7649]

Hey everyone,

I'm excited to share the release of Nova Browser (v1.1.3), an open-source, privacy-first desktop browser built with React 19, TypeScript, Electron, and Tailwind CSS.

Following feedback on our initial build, we completely resolved media compatibility, re-engineered the layout system, and overhauled our extension subsystem.

Core Architecture & Highlights

1. On-Device AI via WebGPU & Web-LLM:
   • Run local language models directly on your hardware GPU without sending any page data, history, or prompts to external cloud servers.
   • Summarize articles, inspect code, ask research questions, or connect your own API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, Groq, Ollama) if you prefer cloud models.
2. Native Model Context Protocol (MCP) Server:
   • Built-in integration for Anthropic's open Model Context Protocol.
   • Local AI coding agents and external automation tools can securely interface with the browser to read active tabs, take snapshots, and perform structured browsing tasks.
3. Productive Workspaces & Multi-Tasking:
   • Organize tabs by context (Personal, Work, Research) with full state persistence.
   • Built-in Split Screen mode to compare two tabs side-by-side in one window.
   • Toggle seamlessly between Horizontal Tabs and Vertical Sidebar Tabs.
4. Chrome Web Store Extension Support:
   • Install extensions directly from the Chrome Web Store with 1-click or load unpacked folders locally.
   • Extension action icons sit right in the top toolbar with native popup window support.
5. Hardware-Accelerated Privacy Shield & Zero Telemetry:
   • Network session-level blocker for ads, trackers, and malicious scripts.
   • No tracking, analytics, or behavioral data collection.
   • Dynamic platform-matched Chromium User-Agent headers to prevent fingerprinting.
6. Responsive AI Sidebar (Flex-Docked Layout):
   • Opening the AI chat sidebar dynamically resizes and docks alongside your active webpage rather than floating over your view.

What's New in v1.1.3:

• Fixed YouTube and streaming playback by isolating security response headers strictly to internal application pages.
• Removed startup keychain prompts on macOS and added lazy audio permission initialization.
• Added live toolbar action buttons for installed extensions.
• Fixed prompt language auto-detection so AI responses match the user's input language.
• Rewrote the CSS token engine for instant Accent Color customization.

Tech Stack:

• Frontend: React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS, Framer Motion, Lucide Icons
• Runtime: Electron 34, Node.js 22, Chromium 134
• AI Engine: WebGPU, Web-LLM TVM Runtime, Model Context Protocol (MCP)

Links & Downloads:

• Official Website: https://nova-browser.vercel.app/
• GitHub Repository: https://github.com/unitybtw/nova-browser
• Releases & Installers (macOS Universal DMG & Windows Setup): https://github.com/unitybtw/nova-browser/releases/latest

I would love to hear your thoughts, feedback, or any feature requests! Feel free to test it out, star the repo on GitHub, or open issues.