Does this require any external npm packages?

No, this is a zero-dependency solution that uses native Node.js modules and standard Web APIs like EventSource.

What happens to my open extension pages when I save a file?

The client script identifies all open tabs belonging to your extension and refreshes them automatically before reloading the extension runtime.

How do I start the reloading server?

After Claude helps you copy the files, you simply run 'node hot-reload-server.mjs' in your terminal to start monitoring changes.

Is this skill compatible with Manifest V3?

Yes, it is specifically designed for Manifest V3 and integrates directly with background service workers using importScripts.

Can I use this for production builds?

This is intended for development environments only. It uses the management API to detect development mode and should be removed or disabled for production store releases.

Chrome Extension Hot Reload

Name: Chrome Extension Hot Reload
Author: paulirish

bypaulirish

•

4,298

Productivity & Workflow

Automates Chrome extension refreshing during development by implementing a zero-dependency watcher and client-side listener for Manifest V3.

About

This skill streamlines the Chrome extension development cycle by providing a zero-dependency hot-reloading solution specifically designed for Manifest V3 projects. It eliminates the friction of manual reloads by establishing a Node.js-based file watcher that communicates via Server-Sent Events to a client script injected into the extension's background service worker. When source code changes are detected, the system automatically refreshes open extension tabs, popups, and the extension runtime itself, providing an instantaneous feedback loop for developers.

Key Features

Automatic refresh for open extension tabs, options pages, and popups
Lightweight Server-Sent Events (SSE) communication protocol
Zero-dependency Node.js file watcher using native fs.watch
4,298 GitHub stars
Manifest V3 compatible background script integration
Development mode detection to prevent production reload attempts

Use Cases

Debugging Manifest V3 service workers without manual intervention
Building and styling extension popup UI components efficiently
Developing Chrome extensions with rapid real-time feedback

About

Key Features

Automatic refresh for open extension tabs, options pages, and popups
Lightweight Server-Sent Events (SSE) communication protocol
Zero-dependency Node.js file watcher using native fs.watch
4,298 GitHub stars
Manifest V3 compatible background script integration
Development mode detection to prevent production reload attempts

Use Cases

Debugging Manifest V3 service workers without manual intervention
Building and styling extension popup UI components efficiently
Developing Chrome extensions with rapid real-time feedback