Using chrome.tabs.onActivated for auto update state
Rajat Dhoot
28 May 2024 - 05 Mins read
Using chrome.tabs.onActivated to Update Data in Content Script from Options Script
In many Chrome extensions, you might need to update the content script with data changed in the options script. For example, imagine you are building an extension that allows users to configure settings in the options page, and these settings need to be reflected immediately in the content script of the active tab. The chrome.tabs.onActivated listener can help you achieve this.
The Use Case
Suppose you have an options script where users can change the configuration of your extension. Once the settings are updated, you want the content script to fetch the new settings whenever the user switches to a different tab. This ensures that the content script always has the latest data without requiring a manual refresh.
Step-by-Step Implementation
1. Background Script
First, the background script will listen for tab activation events and send a message to the active tab's content script to fetch the updated data.
2. Options Script
In the options script, you save the updated settings in Chrome's storage. When the settings are changed, a message can also be sent to the background script to trigger an update.
Here's an example of how you can implement the options script using React:
3. Content Script
In the content script, use React hooks to manage state and listen for messages from the background script. When the SETTINGS_UPDATED message is received, fetch the updated settings.
4. App State
Explanation
Background Script:
chrome.tabs.onActivated.addListener: Adds an event listener that triggers when a tab is activated.
chrome.tabs.query({ active: true, currentWindow: true }, function (tabs) { ... }): Queries the active tab in the current window.
chrome.tabs.sendMessage(tabs[0].id, { action: 'SETTINGS_UPDATED' });: Sends a message to the active tab's content script.
Options Script:
React Component: Uses React hooks to manage settings state.
chrome.storage.sync.set: Saves the updated settings.
chrome.runtime.sendMessage({ action: 'SETTINGS_UPDATED' });: Sends a message to notify that settings have been updated.
Content Script:
Reducer Function: Manages state changes based on action types.
useStore Hook:
useReducer: Manages the state with the reducer.
useEffect: Listens for messages and updates settings when SETTINGS_UPDATED action is received.
chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener: Listens for messages from the background script.
chrome.storage.sync.get: Fetches updated settings from Chrome's storage.
Conclusion
Using the chrome.tabs.onActivated listener, you can effectively update the content script with the latest data whenever the user switches to a different tab. This approach ensures that your content script always has the most current data, providing a seamless user experience. The provided code example demonstrates how to implement this functionality in a Chrome extension.
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