Build a Chrome Extension in 2 Hours

Ever wished Chrome did something specific? Like change every image to cats? Or show motivation quotes on new tabs? Good news: you can build that yourself. In 2 hours.

Hour 1 – Extension Basics:

Chrome extensions are just websites with superpowers. We'll start with the simplest extension possible: one that changes any webpage's background color.

You'll learn:

• What's a manifest.json (the ID card for your extension)

• How extensions interact with webpages

• Basic JavaScript to modify pages

• Loading your extension in Chrome to test it

We'll build it together. Open any website, click your extension, background turns pink. Simple but you'll understand the whole system.

Hour 2 – Make It Actually Useful:

Now we build something you'd actually use. Options:

• A "Save for later" extension that bookmarks articles

• A focus mode that blocks distracting sites

• A dictionary that shows meaning when you double-click words

• A cat replacement extension (every image becomes cat pictures)

Pick one, we'll build it. I'll guide through the code. Then package it so you can share with friends or even publish to Chrome Web Store.

Who is this for? Anyone who's used Chrome and thought "I wish it could..." Beginners welcome. Even if you've never coded before, you can follow along.

What you'll leave with: A working Chrome extension. Installed on your browser. Built by you. Tell friends "I made this" next time they're in your laptop.

Bring laptop and think about one small thing that annoys you about browsing.