Sending messages from Google Chrome extension to macOS app

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Created 3d

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I'm building a macOS Google Chrome extension. I need to be able to send messages from the Chrome extension to the macOS app

What's the set up flow? I've heard about native messaging, but I struggle to implement it.

I've heard about XPC, but not sure JS can send messages to a macOS XPC service.

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Kopyl OP

3d

I was able to set up the Native Messaging https://developer.chrome.com/docs/apps/nativeMessaging

But there is a catch: In order for the messaging to work, i need to create a json here (referencing an executable intended to listen to messages from an extension): $HOME/Library/Application\ Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts. https://developer.chrome.com/docs/apps/nativeMessaging#native-messaging-host-location

Unfortunately you can not bundle it with a Chrome plugin so it automatically gets added there.

Basically the json looks like this:

{
    "name": "com.kopyl.tabfidnder.nativehost",
    "description": "Tab Finder Chrome",
    "path": "/usr/local/bin/native_host.py",
    "type": "stdio",
    "allowed_origins": [
      "chrome-extension://jcbclkhailmoenaeddooicbemefilmje/"
    ]
  }

(for rapid prototyping i used Python, but eventually i guess it would be better to utilize an XPC service)

Of course i could make a .pkg installer which would add that json config to the file system, but in terms of user experience i don't think it's optimal. And i doubt App Store will approve an application which requires external installations for it to work properly.

I tried copying the json on macOS app launch, but with enabled App Sandboxing Entitlement, the path turns to this (and hence becomes invalid):

$HOME/Library/Containers/kopyl.tab-finder-chrome-app/Data/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/NativeMessagingHosts/com.kopyl.tabfidnder.nativehost.json

Without the App Sandboxing the macOS app can't be published to the App Store.

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