Execute a program from a Chrome Extension

Question

The Google Chrome NPAPI is being phased out.

Without using NPAPI, is there any way to allow an extension to execute a command on the local system?

possible duplicate of [Start an external application from a Google Chrome Extension?](http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2652094/start-an-external-application-from-a-google-chrome-extension) — Maks3w, Feb 11 '15 at 14:42
The above mentioned possible duplicate isn't as up-to-date as this one. The duplicate talks about using NPAPI which this question is talking about how to replace. — Beth Lang, Sep 06 '16 at 18:39

score 25 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 11 '13 at 22:58

25

There is chrome.runtime.sendNativeMessage which can be used to send a message to a native application and chrome.runtime.connectNative which allows for a more persistent connection.

So, you can't directly execute a command, but you can have a native app do it for you.

You can find more info on Native Messaging in the docs.

answered Nov 11 '13 at 22:58

gkalpak

5

The links in the solution are not working anymore, please refer to the new url: https://developer.chrome.com/docs/apps/nativeMessaging/ – IdontCareAboutReputationPoints Jan 06 '21 at 07:25

1 Answers1