Introducing JS Panther’s must-have Chrome extension for Angular

Developing Chrome extensions can open up new opportunities for web developers and entrepreneurs to expand their reach by creating interactive, custom user experiences. 

Why would one want to develop a Chrome extension?

Chrome extensions offer a variety of benefits to developers. Not only do extensions help to extend the capability of web browsers, but they provide users with tailor-made experiences that increase user engagement. Businesses can create unique tools that make life easier or more streamlined online by taking advantage of the power of a browser extension’s access to user data.

Let’s create a chrome extension

Chrome extensions are popular because they add features to the Chrome browser that allow you to perform functions or tasks without having to open the entire website. There are many Chrome extensions available in the Chrome Store. If you want to add an extension to your Chrome browser, JSPanther has created a simple and easy way to do it. No need to spend long hours in front of the computer. You just need a few minutes to launch your new Chrome Extension with the help of JS Panther.

Things needed to create a chrome extension

• Angular CLI

It’s an Angular command line interface. You can install it from here.

• Why is Angular CLI necessary?

Although you are not obliged to utilize Angular CLI to develop an Angular application, its many capabilities can significantly improve the quality of your code and streamline your development workflow, ultimately saving you a lot of time.

• Chrome Web Browser

Chrome is a web browser that is simpler, more secure, and faster than ever before. It also has Google’s smarts built-in. Testing the extension locally before releasing it to the Chrome Extension Web Store will be necessary. 

Steps to create a Chrome Extension using Angular

Step 1 (Create Angular App) 

Using the "ng new " command, create a new App with Angular CLI.

Step 2 (Run Angular App) 

Now, use the command "cd /project-directory" to navigate the project directory. We can inspect the directory contents with the "ls" command and launch our Angular application using the "ng serve" command.

Step 3 (Update Content)

You can now update the content of src/app files such as:

"src/app/app.component.html"

"src/app/app.component.ts"

Include this CSS code in your "src/index.html."

Step 4 (Make Build) 

We must run the “ng build” command to develop our Angular Application.

Step 5 (Create Manifest.json)

After successfully developing the project, we must generate the manifest.json file in our /dist folder. The manifest file should be in the same folder as “index.html” inside /dist. The Manifest.json file notifies Chrome about crucial data about your extension, such as its name and the permissions it requires.

"dist/JSPantherExtension"

Step 6 (Add Favicon.ico, Icons, and Logo) 

You may add icons, logos, and favicon.ico to your dist folder.

Step 7 (Locally Unpack Chrome Extension)

In Google Developer Tools, go to “More tools” and click on Extensions. After that, enable “Developer Mode” on the Extensions Page. Now, select “Load Unpacked” and navigate to your manifest. json path, and Google will install your unpacked extension to your Chrome browser for testing.

Step 8 (Zip Extension Package)

After successfully testing the Chrome Extension locally, we will ZIP the entire dist folder since we will need to upload the ZIP extension package to the Google Chrome Web Store to launch the extension.

Step 9 [Chrome Web Store Developer Registration]

Sign up as a Chrome Web Store Developer because we’ll need that permission to launch our extension on the Chrome Web Store. For that, we must agree on the terms and rules and pay a $5 registration fee to Google Chrome.

Step 10 (Package Upload) 

In this area, include “Pricing and Distribution” and “Privacy Policies” in your extension package. Following completion of all steps:

Package: This is where you may update versions of your extension package.

Store Listing: Here, you can change the description and photos of your extension package.

Privacy: You must specify here if you use any Remote APIs.

Pricing and Distribution: This is where you may control the visibility and distribution of your extension.

Stats: You may view your extension’s daily statistics graph with various cool filters.

Ratings: In this section, you can view Ratings for your extension over time.

After completing all the preceding stages, save them in Draft and proceed to the next step.

Step 11 (Publication)

Click on Publish

Finishing Words

Angular is an excellent option if you want to build a Chrome extension and are looking for a web framework. Developing an extension with our Angular developers is convenient, efficient, and easier to maintain. With all the necessary tools and understanding laid out in this article, along with available sources on Github, you should be set to start building your Angular-based Chrome extension.