browser-extension-build-utils

What is it?

A few rake tasks, scripts and “assorted whatnot” for building browser extensions for Chrome and Safari. Designed to be used as a git submodule.

Dependencies

• xar 1.6.1
• ruby (system ruby should suffice)

The

Run rake to build the extension directory to TEMP_DIR during development. Both Chrome and Safari can load the extension from the filesystem.

Once you’re ready to build your extension binaries, run rake build:release and it’ll dump your built and signed extensions in RELEASE_DIR. So spice!

How do I install this thing?

Detailed installation instructions can be found in the wiki.

Can you show me some examples?

Matter of fact I can. Two, in fact.

1. There’s this example extension that I set up. It’s a good starting point if you want to take things for a spin.
2. My sweet baby Dex—where it all began.

The Future

1. Cross-platform support. Right now it’s pretty dang Mac-specific.
2. Support for more complex extension options. Background pages and all that jazz. I know it would be pretty simple. I’ve had neither the time nor the need to implement it (yet).

The Future, Maybe

1. Firefox/Opera(?)/Other Browser support. Sure, it’d be swell if this thing could pump out extensions for browsers other than Safari and Chrome. I haven’t looked into that at all. I really don’t know why someone would use something other than Chrome or Safari, but since everything’s going to be pretty “Webkit slash Blink” here in the near future, it’s something I need to consider.
2. My 11th grade English teacher always told me to “never have a one without a two” so, Mrs. Nielsen, if you’re reading this, this one’s for you.