Browser Extensions API?

Question

There are tools for developing cross-platform browser plugins .

Are there similar tools or APIs for browser extensions (e.g. toolbars or filtering systems like AdBlock)?

Answer 1

Yes, but, unfortunately, each of them has significant shortcomings.

• Kynetx supports IE, Firefox, Safari, and Chrome, but the extensions depend on the Kynetx extension to work with. In addition, Kynetx applications are built using the odd, patented Kynetx rule language . Do not use the Kynetx platform.

• WebMynd supports IE, Firefox, Safari, Chrome and is in a private beta. From what I was able to determine, WebMynd is a very small launch in San Francisco that is still coming out of the ground. Their library is standalone and provides a Javascript API, and they use a monthly billing model.

• Crossrider supports IE, Firefox, Chrome, and Safari. Recently, from the beta version (as of June 2012), Crossrider is free and offers development experience based on jQuery. Publishing methods for your extensions include an embeddable website widget, download links, and a custom Windows installer. However, CrossRider does not allow you to host plugin files yourself . UPDATE: As of 09/27/2016, CrossRider will be discontinued and will only be available until 10/27/2016.

• KangoExtensions supports IE, Firefox, Chrome, Safari, Opera. It seems that the new and bleeding edge, like the Crossrider, also looks promising.

IE and Firefox seem to be the hardest to develop , although Mozilla JetPack can greatly simplify the development of Firefox extensions.

Answer 2

There is also a very young framework for developing a cross browser called BabelExt by Reddit Enhancement Suite. I like the fact that it creates rebootable Jetpacks for Firefox.

Learn more about github, https://github.com/honestbleeps/BabelExt

Answer 3

Mozilla recently introduced the WebExtensions API . At the moment, this is practically a copy of the Chrome extension API (but some APIs are not yet implemented). This was introduced just a few days ago, so it still has a lot of problems and unsupported APIs. But if you are interested in writing extensions for Chrome, Opera and Firefox, you should pay attention to the state of the WebExtensions API.

UPD 10.27.16. There is an Are-we-WebExtensions-Yet page that summarizes the current state of WebExtensions. According to their current estimate, 44.99% of extensions from the Chrome store should work in Firefox.

Answer 4

I don’t have enough reputation points to comment on the thread that Crossrider mentioned as an extension platform, but I wanted everyone to know that the service was ending at the end of October 2016. We are developing extensions for our application that uses Crossrider, but now we need to look for another solution.

To liven up this thread, did anyone find other cross-browser tools for creating extensions? Today I came across the Crossbrowser service, but I do not know if this is good. Anyone familiar with Crossbrowser? If not, are there any other services that have arisen in the last 3 years that I should check?

Answer 5

Yes, the development of browser extensions the company has a framework-one code for all browser views

Answer 6

ExtensionMaker is another project related to expanding cross browser extensions. This is not a real basis. This is a kind of IDE that allows you to develop basic extensions.

Of course, it is not suitable for serious projects. But I like the idea.

A full version is available for free. There are only slight restrictions on the use of generated extensions.