epiphany

epiphany [OPTIONS...] [URL...]

--new-window
    Opens a new, empty browser window.

--private-window
    Opens a new private browsing window, which does not save history, cookies, or site data.

--new-tab
    Opens a new tab in an existing window, if available, otherwise creates a new window with a new tab.

URL...
    One or more URLs to open upon launch. These can be web addresses (e.g., http://example.com) or local HTML files (e.g., file:///home/user/document.html).

--version
    Displays the version information of Epiphany and exits.

--help
    Shows a list of all available command-line options for Epiphany and exits.

--profile=DIR
    Specifies an alternative profile directory to use instead of the default. This is useful for testing or maintaining separate browsing environments.

Epiphany, officially known as GNOME Web, is the default web browser of the GNOME desktop environment. It aims to be a simple, clean, and standards-compliant browser, tightly integrated with the GNOME ecosystem.

Built on the WebKitGTK rendering engine (the same engine used by Apple's Safari and many others), Epiphany focuses on usability and accessibility, providing a streamlined browsing experience without excessive features. It supports modern web technologies, offers private browsing, bookmark management, and integrates with GNOME's search and notification systems. While not as feature-rich as browsers like Firefox or Chrome, its lightweight nature and adherence to GNOME design principles make it a suitable choice for users seeking a minimalist and integrated browsing experience within the GNOME desktop. Its development emphasizes stability and performance, making it a reliable choice for daily browsing.

As a graphical application, epiphany is primarily designed for interactive use within a desktop environment. Its command-line options are mainly for launching the application with specific initial states or content, rather than for scripting or extensive headless operation. It might not be as feature-rich or extensible as browsers like Chrome or Firefox, prioritizing simplicity and deep GNOME integration over extensive customization and large plugin ecosystems.

Epiphany utilizes the WebKitGTK rendering engine. This is the GTK port of the WebKit engine, renowned for its compliance with modern web standards and performance, particularly in web applications. It forms the core technology responsible for rendering web pages.

A fundamental design principle of Epiphany is its deep integration with the GNOME desktop. This includes respecting GNOME's theme settings, utilizing GNOME Online Accounts for web service integration, leveraging GNOME's search provider, and adhering to the GNOME Human Interface Guidelines for a cohesive and intuitive user experience within the desktop environment.

Epiphany originated as a fork of the Galeon browser in 2002, driven by a desire to create a simpler web browser tightly integrated with the GNOME desktop environment. It initially used the Gecko rendering engine (from Mozilla, also used by Firefox) but later switched to WebKitGTK in 2007 to align better with GNOME's architectural preferences and to improve performance and maintainability. Around 2012-2013, it was officially rebranded as GNOME Web, although the executable name 'epiphany' persists. Its development has consistently focused on adhering to GNOME's Human Interface Guidelines (HIG) and providing a secure, stable, and user-friendly browsing experience within the GNOME ecosystem.

firefox(1), chromium(1), xdg-open(1), webkit2gtk(7)