Where are Chrome Extension Manifest Files Stored?

Chrome extension manifest files, typically named manifest.json, are stored in a specific directory on your computer when you install extensions from the Chrome Web Store. This article will guide you through the locations of these files on different operating systems, the structure of the extension directory, and how you can quickly locate them using a dedicated extension.

Locations of Chrome Extension Files

The location of installed Chrome extensions depends on your operating system:

Windows

The extensions are usually stored in:

C:UsersYourUsernameAppDataLocalGoogleChromeUser DataDefaultExtensions

macOS

On macOS, you can find them at:

/Users/YourUsername/Library/Application Support/Google/Chrome/Default/Extensions

Linux

The location is typically:

~

Within the extensions directory, you'll find the manifest.json file along with other files that make up the extension. These files include background scripts, content scripts, icons, and other resources.

Structure of the Extension Directory

Each extension directory contains the following files:

manifest.json: This file contains important metadata about the extension, including its name, version, permissions, and other settings. Background scripts Content scripts Icons Other resources

For example, the manifest.json file of an extension named "Sample Extension" could look like:

{  "manifest_version": 2,  "name": "Sample Extension",  "version": "1.0",  "description": "A sample extension for demonstrating storage locations",  "permissions": [    "storage",    ""  ],  "background": {    "scripts": ["background.js"]  },  "icons": {    "16": "",    "48": "",    "128": ""  }}

When you develop an extension, you can load unpacked extensions directly from a local directory. This means you can specify any folder containing your extension files, including the manifest.json file.

Quickly Locate Your Installed Extensions

There's a handy extension called Extension Source Locator that can help you quickly find the source code of any installed extension. I developed this extension, and it simplifies the process of accessing the code behind your installed extensions. To use it, simply download and install the Extension Source Locator extension from the Chrome Web Store.

Using this extension, you can:

Access the manifest file and other resources of any installed extension. Quickly navigate to the source code of any extension without manually searching through the file system.

How to Use the Extension Source Locator

Install the Extension Source Locator extension from the Chrome Web Store. Open a page with an extension that you want to inspect. Click on the Extension Source Locator icon in the Chrome toolbar. Select the extension you want to inspect from the dropdown menu. The extension will redirect you to the extension's source code, including the manifest.json file.

Conclusion

Understanding where Chrome extension manifest files are stored and how to access them can be a valuable skill for both users and developers. Whether you're developing a new extension or simply curious about the files on your system, the information provided here should help you navigate the process with ease.