Reddit Comment Collapse-All

WHAT IT DOES

Reddit Comment Collapse-All is a browser extension that automatically scans the current Reddit page for comment threads, comment sections, and comment containers. It detects comment elements by examining class names, IDs, and data attributes for patterns like ".comment", ".thing.comment", ".commentarea", and related selectors. The extension adds a floating collapse button (📂) next to the comment section, providing quick access to comment management controls. Clicking the button opens a panel where you can collapse all comments, expand all comments, or collapse only top-level comments. Each action applies immediately to the current page. The panel displays the thread title and comment count. You can set auto-collapse on load and choose between collapsing all comments or only top-level comments. The extension maintains a comment collapse preferences database with settings history, notes, and tags. The main panel shows saved preferences for the current and recent threads. All data is stored locally in your browser using GM_setValue, ensuring your preferences persist across page reloads and browser sessions. This helps Reddit users who want to manage comment sections more efficiently, collapse long threads to focus on top-level comments, or quickly expand everything after reading.

WHERE IT RUNS

This extension runs on any Reddit page that displays comment threads, comment sections, or comment containers – including Reddit comment pages, post pages, and any page with Reddit comments. The extension intelligently adapts to different page structures and supports a wide range of common Reddit display patterns. No manual configuration is required per site; the extension automatically detects comment elements using a flexible pattern matching system. This makes it ideal for Reddit users who want to manage comment sections efficiently.

HOW TO USE

Simply install the extension and navigate to any Reddit page with comments. The extension automatically detects the comment section and shows a collapse button (📂) next to the comments with a status indicator. Click the button to open the comment collapse panel. The panel shows the thread title and comment count. Click "Collapse All" to collapse every comment on the page. Click "Expand All" to expand all comments. Click "Collapse Top-Level Only" to collapse only the top-level comments while keeping nested comments visible. A floating button (💬) appears in the bottom-right corner of the page – click this to open the panel from anywhere. Use the settings section to enable auto-collapse on load and choose the collapse mode (all comments or top-level only). The panel also shows saved preferences for the current thread and recent threads. Use the notes section to add notes about thread content or reading preferences. The "Clear All Data" button removes all tracking data when needed.

ONE TECHNICAL SECTION – WHY IT WORKS

The extension uses DOM traversal and event simulation to collapse or expand Reddit comments. The detection system uses a comprehensive set of CSS selectors targeting comment containers including ".comment", ".thing.comment", and ".commentarea". The extension identifies comments by scanning the comment area for elements matching these selectors. For each comment, the extension looks for collapse toggle links using selectors like ".expand", ".toggle", ".collapse-button", and checks the link text for indicators like "[-]" (collapse) or "[+]" (expand). When collapsing, the extension finds and clicks the appropriate toggle link for each comment. For top-level collapse, the extension identifies comments without a parent comment container and only toggles those. The thread URL is stored to track preferences across visits. A MutationObserver detects dynamic content updates and re-scans only when new comments appear, balancing real-time accuracy with system performance.

THE PANEL – DRAG / PER-SITE POSITION / SNAP / COLLAPSE / RESIZE / ESCAPE

The comment collapse panel includes a draggable title bar, allowing you to position it anywhere on screen for convenient access during reading. The extension remembers your preferred position per website, so the panel opens in the same location each time you return to that domain. The panel supports snap-to-edge behavior – when dragged near screen edges, it gently snaps into place for a tidy workspace layout. You can collapse the panel down to just its title bar by clicking the collapse button, keeping it accessible without taking up screen space. The controls and settings are contained within a scrollable body, ensuring all content remains accessible even on smaller screens. Pressing the Escape key closes the panel instantly, returning you to your Reddit browsing workflow.

PLEASE NOTE

This extension requires the free BotGentz extension to be installed and enabled, as it relies on BotGentz's userscript injection and GM_* API shims for cross-browser compatibility. Websites frequently update their HTML structures and class names, which may cause comment detection to break temporarily – we actively maintain the matching patterns and release updates regularly. The extension stores all comment collapse preferences, notes, and history exclusively in your local browser storage (GM_setValue); no data is ever transmitted to any external server or third party. The extension does not read, modify, or interfere with any Reddit content, comments, or functionality beyond the comment display – it operates on the page content and stores only metadata (thread URLs, titles, preferences, and notes) that you explicitly create. You are responsible for backing up your preference data if you switch browsers or clear your storage. Use this tool responsibly and in accordance with Reddit's Terms of Service.