By default, Cookie Stumbler will uncheck all domains that store tracking cookies so that they will be deleted as soon as you click on the "Clean" button. There are two ways to override a domain's "keep" status:
- Keeplists / Blacklists: A domain keeplist consists of an array of domains whose cookies you always want to keep, regardless of Cookie Stumbler's recommendation. The blacklist has the opposite function.
- Smart Rules: A Smart Rule keeps or unkeeps domains based on certain criteria rather than relying on an array of domains. Unlike Keeplists & Blacklists, a single Smart Rule can therefore apply to any potential amount of domains.
Important: The Blacklist does not prevent blacklisted cookies from being set. Instead, the Blacklist unselects blacklisted domains by default, ensuring that they will be deleted as part of a cleaning operation.
Using Keeplists / BlacklistsThere are two ways to modify your domain keeplist & blacklist:
- In Cookie Stumbler's "Preferences" screen, click on either the "Keeplist" or "Blacklist" tab to make a change to the desired list. To insert a domain into the list, click on the "+" button and enter the URL. To insert multiple domains at once, enter the domains seperated by a comma instead.
- In Cookie Stumbler's "Sources" screen, check domains to add them to your "Keeplist" or uncheck them to add them to your "Blacklist". Alternatively, you can also use the ⌘K and ⌘B shortcuts to achieve the same effect.
Tip: Cookie Stumbler can automatically add relevant domains to your domain keeplist based on your bookmarks and the amount of times you have visited certain domains. The relevant preference is available in "Keeplist" tab.

Using Smart Rules
To create a new Smart Rule, click on the "+" button in the bottom left corner of Cookie Stumbler's "Sources" screen. An untitled Smart Rule will be created in the sidebar. Click on it to edit its properties.
Available Options- Rule Name: Enter a name for your rule.
- Highlight Color: Cookie Stumbler will use this color to help you identify any domains that match your criteria. This can be any color of your choosing.
- Uncheck / Check: Decides the "Keep" status of any domains that match your criteria.
- cookie domain - Defines a cookie domain to match cookies to.
- cookie name - Defines a cookie name to match cookies to.
- cookie value - Defines a cookie value to match cookies to.
- tracks - Returns whether the cookie is a tracking cookie or not.
- secure - Returns whether the cookie is a secure cookie or not.
- new - Returns whether the cookie is a previously unseen cookie or not.
- has login cookies - Returns whether the cookie stores login details or not.
- bookmarked - Returns whether the cookie's domain is bookmarked or not.
- visited - Returns whether you have visited a cookie's domain or not.
- visit count - Returns the number of times you have visited a domain.
You can define an unlimited amount of criterions. Use the "+" button on the rightern side of the popover to define further criterions to match.
Important: Smart Rules always take precedence over the domain keeplist and blacklist.
Tip: Always make regular backups of your lists and Smart Rules using Cookie Stumbler's "Export" (⌘S) function to prevent any potential data loss.

How do I know that my Smart Rule is active?
When your Smart Rules' criterions apply to domains, they become "locked" (you can no longer change the "Keep" status), signifying that the Smart Rule has taken control over that particular domain. The domain will also be shown in the color that is associated with the Smart Rule.
