Implement web extension support in Electron by leveraging its web extension node modules, pre-installing extensions, and providing a user interface for adding, updating, and securely managing them.

Tasks:

• 📦 Loading Extensions via Electron Modules:
  • Utilize Electron’s web extension node modules to load extensions, as Electron.js doesn’t support marketplace integration.
• 🔒 Default Pre-installed Extensions:
  • Configure a set of pre-installed extensions like uBlock to offer immediate value for privacy and security. Check this list: https://github.com/p2plabsxyz/essential-chromium-extensions
• 🧩 User-Installed Extensions UI:
  • Support installing extensions directly via Chrome Web Store URLs using chrome-extension-fetch:
    • Detect extension links in the address bar and show an install icon 🧩.
    • Internally fetch .crx, convert to .zip, and save to the local extensions folder extension.json.
    • Install the extension
    • If Load from P2P in settings if on then: 🌐 Decentralized Extension Distribution (P2P “Bodega”/”Hoard”) #42
  • Add an option for users to manually update all installed extensions.
    • If “Load from P2P” is off for extensions installed via the Chrome Web Store:
      • Use chrome-extension-fetch to fetch the .crx from the Web Store URL (stored in extension.jsonduring initial install) -> Convert the .crx to .zip and check the version in manifest.json -> Compare the new version with the installed version -> If newer, update the local extension and install it.
    • If “Load from P2P” is on for extensions installed from P2P:
      • Use chrome-extension-fetch to fetch the .crx from the Web Store URL (stored in index.jsonduring initial install) -> same as above

We can use the electron-chrome-web-store‘s updateExtensions()

• 🧪 Validate and Sandbox Extensions:
  • Check the integrity and manifest structure of the uploaded extensions to ensure they meet Chrome Manifest V3 requirements.
  • Apply sandboxing techniques and enforce strict content security policies to mitigate potential risks.
• 🧰 Extension Management UI:
  • Design a dedicated UI at the top right of the navigation bar to manage extensions, including stack order and pinning functionality for quick access and organization.