# Switch browser profiles

> Open the right work, personal, or development profile directly from the Dock.

Source: https://dockspark.app/en/docs/guides/switch-profiles

## Open the panel

Move your pointer onto a supported browser icon in the Dock and pause briefly. DockSpark positions the profile panel beside that icon. You can then move into the panel, including diagonally; the protected path stays active only while you continue toward the popover, so briefly crossing a neighboring icon does not switch or dismiss it. Right-clicking or Control-clicking the Dock icon closes the panel immediately so it does not cover the system Dock menu.

> **Using an auto-hidden Dock?**
>
> DockSpark waits for the Dock to finish expanding before it places the panel.

## Choose a profile

Click a profile to ask the browser to switch or open it. Use clear labels such as “Work”, “Personal”, or “Development” so the right environment is easy to recognize at a glance.

## Profile names

DockSpark does not create profiles in your browser. Create the profile in the browser first, then add its matching information in DockSpark.

```text
Default
Profile 1
Profile 2
```

For Chrome-family browsers, DockSpark uses the browser's profile directory name behind the scenes—not only the friendly name shown in the profile picker. Google Chrome can auto-detect those directories in recent releases.

For a Chrome-specific walkthrough, see the [Chrome profiles guide](/guide/chrome-profiles). Firefox profiles can be detected from `profiles.ini` and Profile Group metadata; keep the Firefox icon in the Dock.