From Local Hacking to 4 Browser Stores
TL;DR: Shipped a Chrome extension that fetches word definitions from a free API,
published to Chrome Web Store, and now expanding to Firefox, Opera, and Brave.
Here's what I learned.
Why I Built This
I spend a lot of time reading articles and documentation online. Sometimes I
encounter words I want to quickly understand without losing my flow. Most
dictionary extensions either clutter your toolbar or charge money.
So I decided to build one myself.
This wasn't meant to be a unicorn idea. It was meant to be useful, small,
and shippable. A perfect learning project for understanding Chrome extensions,
browser APIs, and the publishing process.
The Tech Stack (Surprisingly Simple)
Manifest v3 (Chrome's modern extension standard)
Vanilla JavaScript (no frameworks, no build tools)
Free Dictionary API (zero rate limits, rich data)
HTML + CSS (deep blue theme #003D82)
Total size: ~50KB. No dependencies. Runs offline once loaded.
Core Features
1. Right-Click Context Menu
Right-click any word → "Look up in Dictionary" appears → Popup shows definition
Simple. Works everywhere.
2. Definition Popup
Clean popup showing:
- Word & pronunciation
- Part of speech (noun, verb, etc.)
- Primary definition
- Example usage
- API attribution
Deep blue background, white text. Distraction-free.
3. Free Dictionary API
Used
Now What?
For you: If you've been thinking about building a browser extension,
this is your sign. It's easier than you think.
For me: Next up is a stock announcement tracker for Indian markets (Q3 goal).
Similar journey: ship → iterate → publish.
Want to try the extension? Get it on Chrome Web Store
What's your first browser extension idea? Drop it in the comments. 👇
Tags: #ChromeExtension #WebDevelopment #IndieHacking #Shipping
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