chrome-extension-init-skill
Initialize a Chrome/Chromium browser extension project from an empty folder by having the user choose a scaffolding toolchain (Plasmo, WXT, or Vite + CRXJS), then running the official interactive CLI (e.g., `npm create plasmo`, `npx wxt@latest init`, `npm create crxjs@latest`) to scaffold the project, and finishing with git init + first commit. Use when a user asks to start or bootstrap a browser extension from scratch.
Best use case
chrome-extension-init-skill is best used when you need a repeatable AI agent workflow instead of a one-off prompt.
Initialize a Chrome/Chromium browser extension project from an empty folder by having the user choose a scaffolding toolchain (Plasmo, WXT, or Vite + CRXJS), then running the official interactive CLI (e.g., `npm create plasmo`, `npx wxt@latest init`, `npm create crxjs@latest`) to scaffold the project, and finishing with git init + first commit. Use when a user asks to start or bootstrap a browser extension from scratch.
Teams using chrome-extension-init-skill should expect a more consistent output, faster repeated execution, less prompt rewriting.
When to use this skill
- You want a reusable workflow that can be run more than once with consistent structure.
When not to use this skill
- You only need a quick one-off answer and do not need a reusable workflow.
- You cannot install or maintain the underlying files, dependencies, or repository context.
Installation
Claude Code / Cursor / Codex
Manual Installation
- Download SKILL.md from GitHub
- Place it in
.claude/skills/chrome-extension-init-skill/SKILL.mdinside your project - Restart your AI agent — it will auto-discover the skill
How chrome-extension-init-skill Compares
| Feature / Agent | chrome-extension-init-skill | Standard Approach |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Support | Not specified | Limited / Varies |
| Context Awareness | High | Baseline |
| Installation Complexity | Unknown | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does this skill do?
Initialize a Chrome/Chromium browser extension project from an empty folder by having the user choose a scaffolding toolchain (Plasmo, WXT, or Vite + CRXJS), then running the official interactive CLI (e.g., `npm create plasmo`, `npx wxt@latest init`, `npm create crxjs@latest`) to scaffold the project, and finishing with git init + first commit. Use when a user asks to start or bootstrap a browser extension from scratch.
Where can I find the source code?
You can find the source code on GitHub using the link provided at the top of the page.
SKILL.md Source
# Chrome Extension Init Skill
## Overview
Guide the user to pick a scaffolding toolchain (Plasmo / WXT / Vite + CRXJS), scaffold via the official CLI (not manual setup), then do minimal verification, git init, and the first commit.
## Workflow
### 1) Confirm Preconditions
- Verify the target directory is empty or get permission to scaffold into it.
- Confirm target browsers (default to Chrome/Chromium). If the user needs Firefox, note differences and ask before proceeding.
### 2) Choose Scaffolding Toolchain (multi-turn)
Ask these in order; use numeric options for each choice. Do not manually scaffold; rely on the selected toolchain CLI.
- Scaffolding toolchain:
- 1) Plasmo
- 2) WXT
- 3) Vite + CRXJS
- Target directory (absolute/relative path) and project name.
- Package manager:
- 1) pnpm
- 2) npm
- 3) yarn
- Basic extension metadata: name, description, author (or confirm to keep CLI defaults).
Then ask toolchain-specific questions **before** running any interactive CLI:
- If Plasmo:
- Starter template:
- 1) Default starter (React)
- 2) Example template from PlasmoHQ/examples (uses `--with-<example>`): `with-vue`, `with-svelte`, `with-env`, `with-tailwindcss`, `with-antd`
- 3) Other example (user provides the exact example name, e.g. `with-ai`)
- Initial entry files to include (multi-select; maps to `--entry` comma list; omit extensions):
- 1) `popup`
- 2) `options`
- 3) `newtab`
- 4) `background`
- 5) `content`
- 6) `contents/inline`
- 7) `contents/overlay`
- If using npm, remind the user that npm requires `--` before passing plasmo flags (npm does not forward args).
- If WXT:
- Starter template (maps to `--template`):
- 1) `vanilla`
- 2) `vue`
- 3) `react`
- 4) `svelte`
- 5) `solid`
- Package manager (maps to `--pm`):
- 1) `pnpm`
- 2) `npm`
- 3) `yarn`
- Optional: enable debug mode (maps to `--debug`)
- Optional: manifest target for future `wxt` commands: MV3 (default, `--mv3`) or MV2 (`--mv2`)
- If Vite + CRXJS:
- Framework template (maps to `--template`):
- 1) Vanilla: `vanilla` (JS) / `vanilla-ts` (TS)
- 2) React: `react` (JS) / `react-ts` (TS)
- 3) Vue: `vue` (JS) / `vue-ts` (TS)
- 4) Svelte: `svelte` (JS) / `svelte-ts` (TS)
- 5) Solid: `solid` (JS) / `solid-ts` (TS)
- Language:
- 1) TypeScript (recommended)
- 2) JavaScript
- Confirm whether to proceed with an interactive CLI run now:
- 1) Yes, run the CLI and answer prompts
- 2) No, ask more questions first
Use toast for user-facing prompts and avoid alert when generating UI scaffolding.
### 3) Scaffold via Official CLI (interactive)
- Treat these CLIs as interactive. Before running them, summarize the expected answers with the user and confirm.
- Run the CLI in a TTY. If an unexpected prompt appears, stop and ask the user before answering.
Toolchain commands (examples):
- Plasmo:
- Default: `pnpm create plasmo "<name>" --entry=options,newtab,contents/inline`
- Example: `pnpm create plasmo "<name>" --entry=options,newtab,contents/inline --with-vue`
- NPM (note `--`): `npm create plasmo "<name>" -- --entry=options,newtab,contents/inline --with-vue`
- WXT:
- `npx wxt@latest init "<dir>" --template react --pm pnpm`
- Vite + CRXJS:
- Always include `@latest` (avoid cached old versions)
- `npm create crxjs@latest "<dir>" -- --template react-ts`
### 4) Verify & Minimal Wiring
- Install dependencies with the chosen package manager.
- Run the toolchain's build (and dev if available) to ensure it produces a working extension output.
- Confirm MV3 by default; if the user explicitly requests MV2, ask again and only proceed if the chosen toolchain supports it.
- Keep Chrome content scripts as classic scripts; avoid ES module imports unless the manifest explicitly loads them as modules.
### 5) Initialize Git and Commit
- Initialize git in the project root if not already initialized by the CLI.
- Ensure `.gitignore` exists and matches the chosen tooling.
- Create `AGENTS.md` in the project root with the rule: `- Run build after every change.`
- Commit all files with a clear message like "chore: initialize extension project".
### 6) Hand-off
- Provide quick start commands (read from the generated `package.json` scripts instead of guessing).
- Explain where to edit manifest, background/service worker, content scripts, and UI pages as generated by the chosen toolchain.Related Skills
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