NewTab Lite - a single-file start page with a built-in settings dashboard (zero dependencies, works on GitHub Pages)
No frameworks, no build step, no server - the whole thing is one index.html.
The idea: everything you'd normally need a backend for (saving links, settings, wallpapers) runs on plain localStorage, so you can host it on GitHub Pages for free.
Live demo: https://fahad-ba.github.io/newtab-lite/
Source (MIT): https://github.com/Fahad-BA/newtab-lite
Features:
- Live clock + Gregorian & Hijri dates (Umm al-Qura, computed natively, no API)
- Search with auto-focus + engine switcher (Google, DDG, or Bing)
- Links grid, 4 per row (favicon, emoji, or custom image icons)
- Daily 2K Unsplash wallpapers (your own free API key, stored in your browser) with photographer credit + instant shuffle button
- Responsive, safe-area aware
Settings dashboard opens as a popup inside the page:
- Add | edit | reorder | delete services (live, no reload).
- Optional PIN lock (SHA-256).
- Export or import links as JSON.
- Everything stays in your browser, nothing phones home.
Setup: fork → enable Pages → point a new tab redirect extension at it. Edit the DEFAULT_LINKS array at the top of the file if you prefer hardcoding your own set.
Happy to hear what you'd add to the settings panel :)
* Inspiration: https://purpleyard.xyz/posts/create-your-own-startpage/