Browser Plugins

Data not available where it's needed. Manual transfer of information between the system and the browser. Errors caused by users having to remember a procedure instead of being guided through it. And from a business perspective - the lack of a tool that delivers value to potential clients and simultaneously builds a relationship with the brand.

A browser extension is a lightweight application running in the context of the browser - Chrome, Edge, or Firefox - that extends its functionality with access to data, automation of repetitive tasks, and integration with company systems. Hexacode builds custom plugins both as internal tools for teams and as public products that can build interest in a brand or product.

When does a browser plugin solve your team’s problem?

A browser plugin solves one specific problem - it gives the user data and functions exactly where they work, without switching between tools. Instead of opening a separate system, copying data, and returning to the browser - information appears in the context of the page you’re currently on.

This makes sense in two scenarios. First: your team needs data from an internal system while working on external pages (listing portals, client systems, industry services). Second: you’re building a public tool - a plugin in the Chrome Web Store that solves a specific industry problem and in doing so attracts users to your platform.

In both cases, the advantage of a plugin over a separate web application is the same: the user doesn’t have to leave the context of their work. Data from the system appears as an overlay on the page they’re currently working on - no new tab, no logging into another tool, no copying identifiers between windows.

Plugin as a brand touchpoint

A publicly available plugin that delivers real value - validates data, automates a repetitive task, displays information in context - can become a tool people reach for regularly. The business value is measured through installs, active use, and transitions to the product, not by the store listing alone.

For HistoriaSzkod.pl we built a Chrome plugin that automatically detects VIN numbers on automotive listing pages. The user checks a vehicle’s damage history with one click - no copying, no switching tabs. 90% reduction in verification time.

Security and Manifest V3

Plugin security isn’t abstract - it’s concrete architectural decisions made during the design phase. We build exclusively to the Manifest V3 standard, which is the current requirement for Chrome and Edge. This standard enforces a minimal permissions model: the plugin requests access only to the resources it genuinely needs, not to “all pages and data”.

In practice, this means a few principles. First: the principle of least privilege. If the plugin needs to operate only on the pages of a specific service, it doesn’t request access to all browser traffic. Second: user data is processed locally wherever possible, and when server communication is necessary - we encrypt it and minimise the scope of information transmitted. Third: every public plugin goes through review in the Chrome Web Store - Google verifies permissions, code, and privacy policy before allowing distribution.

For internal plugins (not publicly distributed), we offer distribution through managed browser policy within the organisation - IT can enforce installation on company devices without needing to publish to a store. This is the typical model for companies that want to control distribution and access to the tool.

Public plugins are distributed through the Chrome Web Store (Chrome and Edge share the same store) and Firefox Add-ons. We manage the publication, update process, and review communication - the client doesn’t need to know the specifics of the approval process in each store.

Maintenance and development

We build plugins compliant with Manifest V3 - the current Chrome standard. We support three browsers: Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. We maintain them after deployment, responding to changes in source system APIs and browser updates. The extension doesn’t stop working when an external tool is updated - that’s part of our maintenance responsibility.

Internal plugin - typical scenarios

In addition to public plugins, we build extensions for internal use - tools that standardise team workflows and reduce errors. Several scenarios we’ve implemented.

Real-time data validation - the user fills in a form on an external portal (e.g. product registration, complaint submission), and the plugin verifies the data in the background against rules from the company system. The error is visible immediately, before the user submits the form.

Context enrichment - a salesperson browses a client’s profile on LinkedIn or in an external CRM, and the plugin automatically fetches additional data from the internal system: order history, payment status, assigned account manager. No switching tabs, no searching in a separate tool.

Process standardisation - a new employee performs a task step by step, guided by the plugin. They don’t need to remember the procedure, because the extension shows the next steps and blocks actions that deviate from the established flow. This reduces onboarding time and eliminates errors caused by inexperience.

If the scenario requires a more comprehensive backend - a dedicated backend, database, admin panel - we combine the plugin with a custom system.

When doesn’t a plugin make sense?

When the problem can be solved by an API integration without user interaction in the browser - a plugin is overkill. When there’s no stable environment: source system APIs change daily without documentation, or the provider doesn’t guarantee backward compatibility. In that case, maintaining the plugin becomes a losing battle. We’ll advise against the project before it starts.

If a plugin is too little and a full custom system is too much - we check whether process automation can solve the problem faster and more cheaply. We choose the tool for the scale of the problem, not the project budget.

Plugin projects have been carried out in collaboration with technology partners - including Datazen on the HistoriaSzkod.pl platform.