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To stop Distill’s Chrome extension from opening a visible tab for each check, open Settings → Advanced and select Background. This works for static pages; Distill says background checks do not work for dynamic content. If checks must continue after Chrome closes or your computer is off, use a Distill cloud monitor instead.
Choose the kind of “tab-free” monitoring you need
Distill offers different approaches depending on whether you want to avoid a visible tab during a check or keep monitoring after your browser or computer is unavailable. These are not the same thing: a local Chrome monitor still depends on your device, while a cloud monitor runs on Distill’s servers.
| Option | Where checks run | Tab and device requirement | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Background mode in the Chrome extension | Locally through the browser extension | Avoids opening a tab for supported pages; Chrome and the computer must be available for local checks. | Static pages when Chrome remains open and you do not want check tabs. |
| Cloud monitor in Distill’s Web App | Distill’s servers | Does not depend on Chrome or your computer being on; it does not use your local Chrome tab. | Monitoring that must continue when you close Chrome or turn off your computer. |
| Distill Desktop App | Locally through the desktop application | Runs checks without browser tabs; the computer still needs to be available. | Local monitoring where the extension’s tab behavior is inconvenient. Distill currently describes the app as public beta. |
Distill explains the distinctions between local and cloud monitors, and lists the supported platforms.
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- Add the page to Distill. Open the page you want to track, use the Chrome extension to create a monitor, and choose the whole page or the portion that matters. Distill’s guide to tracking page changes with browser extensions covers monitor setup.
- Change the check mode. In the extension, open Settings → Advanced and select Background.
- Run a check and verify the result. Confirm that the selected page content is captured and that the monitor detects a change you expect. Background mode is intended for static pages; if important content loads or changes dynamically, use another mode or a cloud monitor.
- Set alerts if needed. Choose the notification actions you want. Distill says email and SMS require signing in, and availability depends on the subscription plan.
Distill documents the setting and its limitation in its Chrome extension guide. The extension’s documented default is Tab: it opens a tab for the check and closes it when the check completes. Other documented modes include Window and Sticky Window, as well as Background. See why the extension opens a new tab for checks.
When Background mode is not the right choice
The page relies on dynamic content
Background checks only work for static web pages, according to Distill’s extension documentation. Pages that need JavaScript-driven interactions or dynamic loading may not be represented correctly in that mode. Test a different documented extension mode, or use the Desktop App for local checks. Distill also documents profiles for cloud monitors for configuring cloud-side page access.
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You need checks after Chrome closes
Choose a cloud monitor in Distill’s Web App. Cloud monitors run on Distill’s servers and can continue when Chrome is closed or the computer is off. By contrast, local extension monitors need the browser or computer to be available. Distill describes these requirements in its local-monitor guidance.
You want local checks without browser tabs
Distill’s Desktop App is another local option that runs checks without browser tabs. Distill currently labels it public beta, so availability and behavior may change. It does not make local checks independent of your computer: the machine still has to be on and the app available.
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Cloud monitor limits and site access
Cloud monitoring is the appropriate Distill option when checks must run independently of Chrome and the local computer, but plan quotas and minimum check intervals vary. Distill’s pricing page lists current plan-specific cloud monitor allowances and intervals; check it before choosing a plan because prices and limits can change. The figures displayed when checked on October 3, 2026 included Free at $0/month with a six-hour minimum cloud interval, Starter at $15/month with a ten-minute minimum, Professional at $35/month with a five-minute minimum, and Flexi at $80+/month with a two-minute minimum. Other cloud-monitor and check allowances also differed by plan.
Cloud access is not guaranteed for every site. Distill notes that some websites block requests from its cloud servers and identifies proxies as a possible option on applicable plans. If a cloud monitor cannot access a site, check the site’s response and the available proxy options before assuming the monitor configuration is wrong.
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Troubleshooting tab-free checks
- A tab still opens: Confirm that the extension is set to Background under Settings → Advanced, rather than the default Tab mode. Settings labels may change as the extension is updated.
- The background check misses content: The page may rely on dynamic content. Background mode is documented for static pages only; test another mode or use a cloud monitor or the Desktop App.
- Checks stop when Chrome closes: That is consistent with local monitoring. Set up a cloud monitor if checks must run while Chrome or the computer is unavailable.
- A cloud monitor cannot reach the site: The website may block requests from Distill’s cloud servers. Check whether a proxy is available for your plan.
- You do not receive email or SMS alerts: Sign in and confirm that your subscription plan includes the notification method.
- Cloud checks run less often than expected: Compare the monitor’s schedule with the current plan minimum interval and quota on Distill’s pricing page.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to capture a page as an image or PDF rather than monitor changes over time, ScreenshotNeo is a website screenshot API and MCP server. A single GET request can return a screenshot or PDF; the one-call example below saves a WebP image.
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpSee the ScreenshotNeo documentation for API options. Before capture, it accepts cookie or consent banners and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups, and chat widgets; each step can be turned off. Bot checks, blank pages, failed loads, timeouts, and cache hits are not billed. Its MCP server lets AI agents use take_screenshot, get_page_info, and capture_pdf. The free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card required; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Background mode keep monitoring if I shut down my computer?
No. Background mode is a local Chrome extension setting. Use a cloud monitor for checks while the computer is off.
Can ScreenshotNeo replace a Distill change monitor?
No. ScreenshotNeo captures a page as an image or PDF; the Distill options here are for monitoring page changes over time.
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