Getting Started
Welcome to Ranger Browser! Here's how to get up and running quickly.
🚀 First Launch
When you first open Ranger Browser, you'll see:
- The traffic light indicator showing your connection speed
- A clean interface with no distractions
- The AI assistant sidebar (hidden by default)
Basic Navigation
- Type URLs or search terms in the address bar
- Use the back/forward buttons or keyboard shortcuts
- Click the traffic light to see detailed performance metrics
- Access AI assistants with the sidebar toggle
Keyboard Shortcuts
Master these shortcuts to browse like a pro. Designed for efficiency and accessibility.
Navigation
| Action | Mac | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| New Tab | ⌘+T | Ctrl+T |
| Close Tab | ⌘+W | Ctrl+W |
| Reopen Closed Tab | ⌘+⇧+T | Ctrl+Shift+T |
| Next Tab | ⌘+⌥+→ | Ctrl+Tab |
| Previous Tab | ⌘+⌥+← | Ctrl+Shift+Tab |
| Back | ⌘+← | Alt+← |
| Forward | ⌘+→ | Alt+→ |
| Reload | ⌘+R | F5 or Ctrl+R |
AI Assistant
| Action | Mac | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle AI Sidebar | ⌘+/ | Ctrl+/ |
| Switch AI Provider | ⌘+⇧+A | Ctrl+Shift+A |
| New AI Chat | ⌘+⇧+N | Ctrl+Shift+N |
Accessibility
| Action | Mac | Windows/Linux |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Focus Mode | ⌘+⇧+F | Ctrl+Shift+F |
| Toggle Dyslexia Font | ⌘+⇧+D | Ctrl+Shift+D |
| Read Aloud | ⌘+⇧+R | Ctrl+Shift+R |
AI Assistant Guide
Ranger Browser includes 5 AI assistants. Use your own API keys - no middleman fees!
🧠 OpenAI (ChatGPT)
Best for: General questions, coding, creative writing
Models: GPT-4, GPT-3.5
🎭 Claude (Anthropic)
Best for: Long documents, analysis, ethical AI
Models: Claude 3, Claude Instant
💎 Google Gemini
Best for: Multimodal tasks, image analysis
Models: Gemini Pro, Gemini Pro Vision
Setting Up API Keys
- Click the AI assistant icon in the sidebar
- Select "Settings" or press ⌘+,
- Enter your API keys for each service you want to use
- Keys are stored locally and encrypted
Privacy Features
Your privacy isn't a feature - it's the foundation.
🛡️ What We Block
- All third-party trackers and analytics
- Fingerprinting attempts
- Cryptocurrency miners
- Most advertisements (toggle per site)
- Cross-site tracking cookies
🔒 What We Protect
- Your browsing history (never leaves your device)
- Your bookmarks and passwords
- Your AI conversation history
- Your personal preferences
Ad Blocker Controls
The ad blocker shows its status with color coding:
- 🟢 Green: Ad blocker is active
- 🔴 Red: Ad blocker is disabled for this site
Toggle per site by clicking the shield icon or pressing ⌘+⇧+B
Accessibility Features
Built by someone with ADHD, autism, and dyslexia - for everyone who needs it.
ADHD Support
🎯 Focus Mode
Blocks distracting elements and limits open tabs. Activate with ⌘+⇧+F
- Hides animations and auto-playing videos
- Limits to 5 open tabs
- Gentle reminders to stay on task
- Break reminders every 25 minutes
Dyslexia Support
📖 Reading Aids
- OpenDyslexic font option
- Adjustable line spacing and letter spacing
- Customizable background colors
- Text-to-speech with highlighting
Autism Support
🎨 Sensory Comfort
- Reduced motion mode
- Predictable interface (no surprises)
- Customizable color themes
- Sound notifications optional
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Browser Won't Start
- Check if another instance is running
- Try restarting your computer
- Reinstall if the problem persists
Pages Load Slowly
- Check the traffic light indicator
- Verify your internet connection
- Clear cache: ⌘+⇧+Delete
AI Assistant Not Working
- Verify API keys are entered correctly
- Check if you have API credits
- For Ollama: ensure it's running locally
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ranger Browser really free?
Yes! The browser is completely free to download and use. We may offer premium features in the future, but the core browser will always be free. No hidden costs, no data selling, no catch.
How do you make money if it's free?
Ranger Browser is part of David's product ecosystem. Revenue comes from other products like WP-Notes AI and Business Assistant AI. 30% of all revenue goes to disability education programs.
Do I need to pay for AI features?
You need your own API keys from providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.), which have their own costs. But we don't charge anything extra - you pay exactly what the AI providers charge, no markups.
Can I import bookmarks from Chrome/Firefox?
Yes! Go to Settings → Import Data and select your previous browser. All bookmarks, passwords (if desired), and history can be imported.
Is it really faster than Chrome?
Yes. By removing tracking code, advertising frameworks, and data collection, we achieve <1 second load times consistently. The traffic light shows you the exact performance on every page.
Does it work with all websites?
Yes! Ranger Browser uses the same web standards as other browsers. If a site works in Chrome or Firefox, it works in Ranger - just faster and more privately.
What data do you collect?
None. Zero. Nada. We don't track you, collect usage data, or phone home. The only network requests are for web pages you visit and optional automatic updates (which you can disable).