activeTab — what this Chrome extension permission allows
Access the current tab, but only after you click the extension.
activeTab
Access the current tab, but only after you click the extension.
| Reach | Reaches browser state and activity |
| Shown at install | No visible warning |
| Extensions in this catalog | 24 |
What it actually reaches
Grants access to the tab you are currently looking at, but only after you explicitly invoke the extension — by clicking its toolbar icon, choosing its context-menu entry or pressing its keyboard shortcut. The access lapses when you navigate away.
Why an extension would ask for it
This is the permission Chrome's own documentation recommends in place of broad host access. An extension that only acts when you ask it to can do its job with activeTab and never see the pages you visit in between.
How to judge it
A permission on its own says little. What matters is whether it fits what the extension is for: a note-taking tool that reads every page you visit is worth a second look, while an ad blocker that does the same is doing its job. Read the permission next to the extension's stated purpose, and check the host list beside it.
Extensions that request it
From this catalog, ordered by install count.
PerfectPixel by WellDoneCode (pixel perfect)
Drop your mockup on the live page for pixel-perfect comparison with your code.
MightyText - SMS from PC & Text from Computer
SMS from PC or Mac using your Android #. Sync Text Messages, Calls, Notifications, Photos, Battery Status
Screenity - Screen Recorder & Annotation Tool
The free and privacy-friendly screen recorder for everyone. Capture, annotate, edit videos and more - all with no sign in needed.
Amazon FBA Calculator Free by AMZScout
FBA Calculator shows Amazon fees, sales margins, revenue and product net profit and is free to use.
Viewport Resizer: Ultimate Device Emulator & Website Testing Tool
Emulate devices, resize screens, and perfect your web design effortlessly with this cutting-edge testing and presentation tool.
SnapAny - Video/Live/Audio Downloader
Download videos, audio, and livestreams from popular websites. Easy to use—simply log in to get started.
codebox-AI Download Article
Implement one click code copying without logging in; Support selecting code; Allow non following bloggers to read full text prompt
Table OCR - Image & PDF to Excel
Extract tables from PDFs, scanned files & images. Just like data scraper,web scraper,Copytables,ColumnCopy. Convert image to table
CaptchaSonic: Automatic Captcha Solver
Solve all kinds of Captcha's with CaptchaSonic Ai Automation Tool
Jarvis AI Assistant — AI Copilot for Your Browser
All-in-one AI copilot. Write, translate, summarize, check grammar, and automate tasks with 30+ AI models.
Split Screen on Mac
Use Split Screen on Mac: seamlessly resize tab. Have a split screen on a macbook to get boosted productivity!
Read Aloud
Use Read Aloud Chrome Extension for fast text to speech as your screen narrator and voice reader on any webpage
Blue Light Filter
One-click blue light filter and eye protector. A gentle screen dimmer for comfortable night mode with blue light reduction.
Reepl - AI Comment & Reply Assistant for LinkedIn® and X
Write posts, generate smart comments and replies, track your streak, and manage your professional presence on LinkedIn® and X.
AI Compare — Multi-AI compare for QA & GEO
Compare answers from ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude and more in one tab—for content QA, brand monitoring, and GEO optimization.
Grok AI
Now Grok AI is in your browser with quick access. Use the capabilities of Grok 3 and the smart Grok chatbot!
Tablingo: Live AI Subtitle Translator
Real-time AI subtitles and live translation for any web video. 75 languages. Free trial, no signup required.
Bulk Image Downloader
Use Bulk Image Downloader to download and save all images, photos and pics from any website instantly in three clicks.
Diff Checker
Online diff checker to compare text, code and files side by side. Syntax highlighting, Prettier formatting, and AI diff summaries