Velja

Velja is a utility for macOS that directs links to specific browsers or native applications. Configure rules to open web domains in particular browsers or link online services with their corresponding desktop applications.

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• Primary browser selection. Velja acts as the default link manager on the system. It allows you to quickly change the main browser from its menu bar icon or via configured keyboard shortcuts, without needing to access System Preferences.
• Custom link rules. The core feature allows you to create rules based on domains, URL patterns, or source applications. The rules determine the destination browser, including specific profiles for Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Edge, Brave, or Vivaldi.
• Opening in native apps. The software detects and redirects links from supported services to their installed desktop applications, such as Figma, Discord, Spotify, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Telegram, or Notion, preventing them from opening in a web browser.
• Tracking parameter stripping. Velja can automatically remove marketing tracking parameters (UTM, fbclid) from URLs before opening them, which shortens links and improves privacy while browsing.
• Menu bar menu. The menu bar icon provides access to quick actions: change the default browser, open the last link copied to the clipboard, or access the application's settings.
• Interactive browser chooser. By holding down a modifier key while clicking a link, a popover menu appears with all installed browsers, allowing you to manually select one for that specific link.
• Keyboard shortcuts for an alternate browser. Assign a key combination to temporarily open links in a predefined secondary browser, while keeping the main one as the default for all other actions.
• Source application detection. Rules can be conditioned based on the application from which the link was clicked. For example, all links opened from the Slack application can be directed to a professional Chrome profile.
• Support for shortened links. The program resolves addresses from URL shortening services (like bit.ly) before applying rules, comparing them against the final destination URL for precise matching.
• Share Extension integration. A macOS Share menu extension allows you to send links directly to Velja for processing and opening according to your established rules.
• Handoff support. Velja is compatible with Apple's Handoff technology, allowing you to continue browsing between devices within the Apple ecosystem when using Safari as your browser.
• Shortcuts app integration. The application exposes actions to the macOS Shortcuts app, enabling task automation, such as changing the default browser based on the active Focus Mode.
• Icon hiding. The interface allows you to hide the menu bar icon, leaving the software running in the background managed solely through rules and keyboard shortcuts.
• Services without a desktop app. For certain services like Google Meet or YouTube, Velja includes built-in support to force their opening in specific browsers, optimizing compatibility with extensions or particular features.
• Adding custom applications. The advanced rules feature allows you to define custom applications not included in the native list by specifying the macOS application bundle identifier to redirect links.

Velja is developed by Sindre Sorhus. Development of the application began in 2020. The software is written in the Swift programming language, using native macOS APIs for deep integration with the operating system.

Alternatives to Velja:

Browser Tamer

Browser Tamer is a proxy application for Windows that redirects links.

Price: Free   Size: 2.26 MB   Version: 5.5.6   OS: Windows