Including NPM package into tampermonkey script

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06-10-2024

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Including NPM Packages in Tampermonkey Scripts: A Comprehensive Guide

Tampermonkey is a popular browser extension that lets users install and manage user scripts, enhancing their web browsing experience. But what if you need to use a powerful library or module found in the NPM ecosystem? This article will guide you through the process of integrating NPM packages into your Tampermonkey scripts.

The Challenge: Bridging the Gap

Tampermonkey scripts typically run in a sandboxed environment, limiting access to external resources like NPM packages. However, this doesn't mean it's impossible. The key is to cleverly utilize a technique known as "bundling."

The Solution: Bundling Your Code

Bundling involves combining your Tampermonkey script with the necessary NPM package dependencies into a single JavaScript file. This file can then be executed within the Tampermonkey sandbox, providing access to the package functionalities.

Example Scenario:

Let's say we want to use the popular "moment.js" library to manipulate dates in our Tampermonkey script. Here's how we can achieve this:

// @name     My Tampermonkey Script
// @version  1.0
// @grant    none
// @match    *

// Original Tampermonkey code

// ...

// Moment.js code (after bundling)

// ...

// Use moment.js functionality
console.log(moment().format('MMMM Do YYYY, h:mm:ss a'));

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Install Node.js: If you haven't already, install Node.js from https://nodejs.org/. This provides the necessary tools for package management and bundling.

2. Create a Project:

   • Create a new folder for your Tampermonkey project.
   • Initialize the project by running npm init -y within the folder. This creates a package.json file.

3. Install Required Packages:

   • Add the necessary packages to your project. In our example, run: npm install moment

4. Choose a Bundler:

   • Webpack: A popular and versatile bundler. https://webpack.js.org/
   • Parcel: A zero-configuration bundler. https://parceljs.org/

5. Configure the Bundler:

   • Webpack: Create a webpack.config.js file to define bundling settings.
   • Parcel: Parcel usually requires minimal configuration.

6. Write the Bundling Script:

   • Configure your bundler to:
     • Combine your Tampermonkey script and NPM package dependencies into a single output file.
     • Ensure the output file is properly formatted for Tampermonkey (using the // @ header).

7. Run the Bundler:

   • Execute the bundling command (specific to your chosen tool).

8. Install the Bundled Script:

   • Open your Tampermonkey dashboard and import the bundled script.

Additional Considerations:

• Bundle Size: Be mindful of bundle size to avoid performance issues in your Tampermonkey script. Consider optimizing packages or using minified versions.

• Compatibility: Some NPM packages might rely on functionalities not available within the Tampermonkey sandbox. Choose packages designed for browser environments or explore alternatives.

• Security: Ensure you are only including packages from trusted sources to avoid vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

Including NPM packages in your Tampermonkey scripts opens up a world of possibilities, empowering you to leverage powerful libraries and enhance your user scripts. By following the bundling approach, you can seamlessly integrate these packages and build more robust and feature-rich web automation tools.