Build a Chrome extension with AI

The steps

Recommended tools link to their Agentdex pages. These are starting points, not rankings: pick what you already pay for.

1. 1

   Plan

   The one job, and the exact permissions it needs.

   Use Claude Code. Useful for thinking through permissions and Manifest V3 limits before you code.

   Or try: Cursor, Gemini CLI

   I want a Chrome extension that does [job]. List the Manifest V3 permissions it needs, why each one is needed, and how to avoid broad host permissions.

2. 2

   Build

   A working popup, content script and service worker.

   Use Cursor. Multi-file edits fit the manifest, popup and scripts split well.

   Or try: Windsurf, Cline

   Scaffold a Manifest V3 extension for this plan: manifest.json, popup (HTML/JS), content script and service worker. No frameworks. Comment each permission.

3. 3

   Test

   It works on real sites and fails gracefully.

   Use Playwright. Can load unpacked extensions in Chromium for automated tests.

   Or try: Chrome DevTools, Claude Code

   Write a Playwright test that loads this unpacked extension and checks the popup and the content script on a sample page.

4. 4

   Ship

   A store listing and privacy answers that match the code.

   Use Claude Code. Good for drafting listing copy and privacy disclosures from your actual code.

   Or try: GitHub Copilot

   Read the code and write the Chrome Web Store listing and the privacy practices answers. Only claim what the code actually does.

5. 5

   Maintain

   Handle Chrome updates and user reports.

   Use GitHub Copilot. Stays in your editor and GitHub for quick patches.

   Or try: Jules, Aider

   A user reports [bug]. Find the cause, fix it with the smallest change, and bump the version in manifest.json.