Except I specifically use an extension to ensure tab state isn't volatile (Tab Session Manager, backed up with export tabs urls & a custom script), since I don't want to bookmark 35 pages for a current project, I just want to save them to a named session and have everything avaliable when I return to the project.

I agree that tabs are volatile, although I really wish they weren't. I'm having flashbacks to the quantum switch and having to change most of my extensions. I'd consider switching, but I really don't care for the chromium monoculture that's developing.