The Epiphany web browser developed by the GNOME project, based on the WebKitGTK engine and offered to users under the name GNOME Web, has added support for WebExtension add-ons. The WebExtensions API allows you to create add-ons using standard web technologies and unifies the development of add-ons for different browsers (WebExtensions is used in add-ons for Chrome, Firefox and Safari). The add-on version will be part of the GNOME 43 release scheduled for September 21st.
It is noted that Epiphany has implemented only part of the WebExtension API so far, but this support is already enough to run some popular add-ons. Over time, support for the WebExtension API will expand. Development is being done with an eye to implementing the second version of the add-on manifest and ensuring compatibility with add-ons for Firefox and Chrome. Of the unimplemented APIs, webRequest is mentioned, which is used in add-ons to block inappropriate content. Among the already available APIs:
- alarms - generate events at a given time.
- cookies - management and access to cookies.
- downloads - download management.
- menus - creation of context menu items.
- notifications - display notifications.
- storage - storage of data and settings.
- tabs - tab management.
- windows - window management.
The next release of GNOME will also bring back support for self-contained web applications in the PWA (Progressive Web Apps) format. Including in the application manager GNOME Software will be a selection of web-applications that can be installed and removed as normal programs. The execution of web applications in the user environment is carried out using the Epiphany browser. It is planned to be compatible with PWA apps built for Chrome.
Source: opennet.ru