39227-vm/LOCAL_SCREENSHOT_EXTENSION.md

Local Chrome Screenshot Extension (Unpacked)

This is a local-only setup (no publishing) that:

1. Captures the visible tab as a PNG from a Chrome extension popup.
2. Sends it to a local HTTP server on 127.0.0.1.
3. Extracts simplified page content (text + a pruned “content tree”) from the active tab.
4. The server saves it into ./screenshots/ and optionally runs a local script.

1) Start the local server

From the project root:

python3 tools/local_screenshot_bridge.py --port 8765 --out-dir screenshots --run bash scripts/on_screenshot.sh

Notes:

• The server listens on http://127.0.0.1:8765/screenshot.
• If you omit --run ..., it will only save files.
• If --run ... is set, it appends two args to the command:
  • <png_path> then <meta_path>

2) Load the extension (unpacked)

1. Open Chrome: chrome://extensions
2. Enable "Developer mode"
3. Click "Load unpacked"
4. Select: chrome_screenshot_ext/

3) Use it

1. Click the extension icon.
2. Confirm the endpoint is http://127.0.0.1:8765/screenshot.
3. Click "Capture".

Saved files land in screenshots/:

• YYYYMMDDTHHMMSSZ-<title-slug>.png
• YYYYMMDDTHHMMSSZ-<title-slug>.json
• YYYYMMDDTHHMMSSZ-<title-slug>.content.json