How to install google chrome extensions though Terminal

Question

I want to install chrome extensions in chrome browser through Terminal instead of doing in GUI. Is there any way to install the extensions from Terminal?

Answer 1

Here is the script, you gonna need extension ids, they can be found in the address bar when you go to the details of the extension on the market or at chrome://extensions. The script will also install chrome if it is not installed, remove the middle part if that's not needed.

1. Save this script to the install-chrome.sh file:

   #!/bin/bash
   
   install_chrome_extension () {
     preferences_dir_path="/opt/google/chrome/extensions"
     pref_file_path="$preferences_dir_path/$1.json"
     upd_url="https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx"
     mkdir -p "$preferences_dir_path"
     echo "{" > "$pref_file_path"
     echo "  \"external_update_url\": \"$upd_url\"" >> "$pref_file_path"
     echo "}" >> "$pref_file_path"
     echo Added \""$pref_file_path"\" ["$2"]
   }
   
   if ! which "google-chrome" ; then
     wget -q -O - https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub \
     | sudo apt-key add -
     echo 'deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main' \
     | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list
     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt install google-chrome-stable
   else
     echo Chrome already installed
   fi
   
   install_chrome_extension "cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb" "adblock plus"
   install_chrome_extension "fmkadmapgofadopljbjfkapdkoienihi" "react dev tools"
   install_chrome_extension "anmidgajdonkgmmilbccfefkfieajakd" "save pinned tabs"
   install_chrome_extension "dbepggeogbaibhgnhhndojpepiihcmeb" "vimium"
   

2. Run

   sudo bash install-chrome.sh
   

3. Restart chrome.

More scripts at https://github.com/grabantot/scripts

Answer 2

As in Google Chrome Documentations

Alternative extension installation methods : Using a preferences JSON file

requirements:

• Extension's ID
• latest Google Chrome install

here a script example (run with root privileges):

#!/usr/bin/bash

# install extensions via terminal

# fill the array with the needed extensions 
# key=["extension_name"] value="extension_ID"

declare -A EXTlist=(
    ["google-translate"]="aapbdbdomjkkjkaonfhkkikfgjllcleb"
    ["save-to-google-drive"]="gmbmikajjgmnabiglmofipeabaddhgne"
)
for i in "${!EXTlist[@]}"; do
    # echo "Key: $i value: ${EXTlist[$i]}"
    echo '{"external_update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx"}' > /opt/google/chrome/extensions/${EXTlist[$i]}.json
done

• close and reopen chrome and you will find the chosen extensions on all profiles
• remember to use the flag --no-first-run if you want to avoid the extensions first run pop ups

Answer 3

For Linux the extension get stored under : /opt/google/chrome/extensions/ For install a Chrome extension (unpacked), use this command in terminal;

<path to chrome> --load-extension=<path to extension directory>