Building Multi-Platform Browser Extensions

I kept running into questions like:

• How do I structure my extension?
• Where should I add this feature?
• How should do I communicate to my background script?
• What is a background service worker.
• Why doesn't this work in Firefox?
• How do I interact with the page?

All these questions will be answered, along with a lot more tutorials about what you can add to your browser extension.

Whether you are just curious on how browser extensions work or have an extension you want to create, we will guide you through the process every step of the way.

I've also created vanilla Javascript, Vue 3, and React based templates to help. Upon purchase of the book, you can immediately pull one or all of these templates from GitHub and get started.

As long as you have a familiarity with JavaScript, the development will be the easy part. The book will guide you through the challenging sections. By the end, you will have an extension works on all four major browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Edge and Safari.

What you will learn

Here's a sneak peak of what we will cover in this book.

Building a Content Script

Content scripts are powerful tools that live on a web page, have access to the DOM, and communicate with your extension.

Where to add features 

There are multiple areas in your browser extension to add code. Learn which one is best for what you need.

Create a Popup View

A popup view is the most familiar way to interact with a browser extension. We will create one using both JS and Vue 3.

Extension Pages 

Did you know you can have a dedicated page to run your extension? We will make one. You can fit a whole app in this page if you wanted!

Adding Context Menus 

Want to allow your user to right click and interact with your extension? We've got you covered.

User Authentication 

Authenticating a user with your browser extension is challenging. I'll help you get this enabled.

Local Storage 

Set state, cache data, and interact with your browser's local storage with ease.

Using Environment

Variables Such a simple way to add that extra developer experience when designing and building your browser extension.

Manifest V3

Use the latest and greatest Manifest V3 for your extensions. Supported by every browser!

Upon purchase, you can immediately pull down a multi-platform browser extension template and get started. I've made a template for those who prefer Vanilla JS, Vue 3, or React.

Each template is fully functional, documented, and ready to start development. You will get an extension with the following features:

• Preconfigured Popup, Content Script, Background Script, and Extension Page.
• Extension messaging configured and ready to expand
• Background tasks (alarms)
• Tab listeners
• Webpage to extension messaging
• Local storage examples
• Context Menu
• Keyboard Shortcut

All features come documented and ready to expand upon. Just pull the template and start adding your own code!