Run Chrome Plugin Virtually & When PC Is Off

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I have a Chrome plugin that runs an automated task and, when triggered, it opens a new tab/s.

I would like to get the plugin to fire in the background/virtually - is that possible?

Also, when the PC is off and Chrome is not running, the plugin obviously doesn't fire - is there a way to run a Chrome plugin virtually, without keeping a PC on or setting up a virtual machine?

 

[codefather]

Hello
Of course, it's not possible.
The limit of computing is that you need a running computer to compute.
Cheers
Gianluca

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

What about a server? Website?

 

[codefather]

A server, on premise or cloud, physical or virtual, is capable of running software.
A website might execute some scheduled actions, depending on the software and the hosting capabilities, so it really depends on the setup.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I get that.

Therefore, can the chrome browser run on a server?

 

[Ethan39]

Chrome can be run headless:

Getting Started with Headless Chrome | Blog | Chrome for Developers

Getting started with Headless Chrome

developer.chrome.com

However, I think this might be an XY problem.

What are you trying to achieve with this add-on? If it's an automated task that runs daily/hourly/at intervals have you considered moving it over to a Google cloud function or AWS Lambda function? In most cases, in my experience at least, small functions only cost percentages of pennies to run in the cloud and are more reliable in the event of a power cut/meteor strike/worldwide dinosaur uprising.

 

[codefather]

I get that.

Therefore, can the chrome browser run on a server?

If you buy a Virtual Machine service, running Windows for example, then you get a computer running 24/7

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

What I am trying to do is run an app that is written for the chrome browser as a plugin when my PC is off and does not open tabs when I am working in chrome. Whilst there are several versions of this function, all are run as (chrome) browser plugins - I am not aware of separate apps or programs to do this.

An idea I have just thought of is run a second user on the PC and have chrome on that, but that does not work when the PC is off.

I have a web server and PC's - I don't want to fire up another (virtual) server/machine.

 

[estwig]

I got no idea what you are trying to do, a couple of random suggestions for you.......

Use the plugin with Edge, it's a chromium browser so it should work, then it doesn't open tabs whilst you're working in chrome, or vice-versa. Or chrome opens the tabs in the background.

Set the PC to wake, do it's thing, then shut down at set times throughout the night.

 

[edmondscommerce]

However, I think this might be an XY problem.

It's a classic XY problem, not a term I hear many people use, but one that I really like as it's quite common and recognising them is a great step towards being able to provide a much better service to people.

For OP - I agree with everyone else that in trying to take a tool written for the browser and run it on a server, your're going about things the wrong way. Chances are the scraping task or whatever else it is you are trying to do can probably be accomplished with a little bit of code that can be run via a command on any basic server. Getting that code written is likely to be a whole lot simpler and more reliable than trying to fashion some way to run a multitab headless chrome session with custom extensions.

That isn't to say it's impossible. I'm pretty sure it is possible. But just because you can, doesn't mean you should

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

Use the plugin with Edge,

Who knew?

This works, so at least I will not be bothered on Chrome with tabs opening automatically. I might look at running it in the background as another Windows user.