Releasing New Versions of Your Extension

Overview

Regular updates are crucial for maintaining and enhancing the functionality of your Chrome extension. This section guides you through the process of preparing and releasing new versions of your extension to ensure users benefit from the latest improvements and features.

Steps to Release a New Version

Step 1: Prepare Your Update

1. Implement Changes:

• Add new features, make improvements, or fix bugs in your extension's codebase.

• Test the changes thoroughly to ensure they work as expected without introducing new issues.

2. Update the Version Number:

• Increment the version number in your manifest.json file. Follow semantic versioning principles (major, minor, patch) to reflect the nature of the changes.

Step 2: Build Your Extension

1. Run Build Command:

• Use npm run build or yarn build to compile the latest version of your extension.

• Ensure that the build process includes all new changes and that the output is free of errors.

Step 3: Package Your Extension

1. Create a ZIP File:

• Navigate to the directory containing your extension's production files (usually the dist or build folder).

• Select all relevant files and compress them into a ZIP file. This file should include the updated manifest.json.

Step 4: Upload the New Version

1. Go to the Chrome Developer Dashboard:

• Visit Chrome Developer Dashboard and sign in.

• Select your extension from the list of published items.

2. Upload the Updated ZIP File:

• Click on 'Edit' or 'Update' for your extension listing.

• In the package section, upload the new ZIP file containing the updated version of your extension.

Step 5: Provide Change Log and Update Information

1. Update Listing Details (if necessary):

• Modify the description, screenshots, or other metadata to reflect any significant changes or new features.

• Provide a detailed change log in the description or as part of the version notes, informing users about the updates and improvements.

Step 6: Submit for Review

1. Review Changes and Submit:

• Review all changes and ensure everything is correct.

• Click 'Submit for review'. Your update will undergo the Chrome Web Store's review process, which may take from a few hours to several days.

Conclusion

Releasing new versions of your Chrome extension ensures that it remains functional, secure, and valuable to users. By following these steps, you can manage updates efficiently, keeping your user base engaged and satisfied with continuous improvements. Regular updates also show commitment to quality, which can enhance user trust and increase the extension’s popularity.