Vikram D.
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Quick Launch Shortcuts

Built a customizable Chrome extension that lets users open websites quickly using short aliases via the omnibox or popup.

Date
Nov 2024
Duration
2 weeks
Role
Solo Developer
Tech
4 tools
JavaScriptChrome Extensions APIHTMLCSS

Overview

Quick Launch Shortcuts is a productivity Chrome extension designed to help users navigate to frequently visited websites faster using custom short aliases.

The Problem

As a developer, I found myself constantly typing the same URLs or searching through bookmarks to access frequently used sites like GitHub, Jira, documentation pages, and internal tools. This repetitive task was eating into my productivity.

The Solution

I built a Chrome extension that allows users to:

  1. Define custom aliases - Create short keywords (e.g., "gh" for GitHub, "jira" for Jira board)
  2. Use the omnibox - Type the extension keyword followed by an alias directly in Chrome's address bar
  3. Quick popup access - Open the extension popup for a visual list of all shortcuts

Key Features

Omnibox Integration

Users can type go <alias> directly in the Chrome address bar to instantly navigate to their destination. This leverages Chrome's Omnibox API for seamless integration.

Customizable Shortcuts

A simple settings page allows users to add, edit, and remove shortcuts. Each shortcut consists of:

  • Alias: The short keyword to type
  • URL: The destination website
  • Name: A friendly display name

Popup Interface

For users who prefer a visual interface, the extension popup displays all shortcuts as clickable cards.

Technical Challenges

Challenge 1: Omnibox Suggestions

Getting the omnibox to show real-time suggestions as users type required careful handling of the chrome.omnibox.onInputChanged event and managing debouncing for performance.

Challenge 2: Storage Sync

Ensuring shortcuts sync across devices using chrome.storage.sync while handling storage limits and conflicts.

Results

  • Personal productivity boost - Reduced navigation time by ~30 seconds per frequent site visit
  • Open source - Available on GitHub for the community to use and contribute to
  • Learning opportunity - Deepened my understanding of Chrome Extension APIs

Lessons Learned

  1. Chrome Extension development has a unique lifecycle that differs from regular web apps
  2. The Omnibox API is powerful but requires careful UX consideration
  3. Simple tools that solve real problems can have outsized impact on daily workflows

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