tabs - Allows access to browser tabs, including properties like URL, title, and favicon. This is a powerful permission that requires explicit user consent during installation since it enables monitoring of browser activity.
activeTab - Grants temporary access to the current active tab when the user invokes the extension. This is a more privacy-friendly alternative to the full tabs permission since it only provides access when the user actively engages with the extension.
webNavigation - Enables monitoring browser navigation events, including page loads, frame loads, and navigation errors. This permission is useful for extensions that need to track user browsing patterns or inject content at specific navigation points.
topSites - Allows access to the user's most frequently visited sites, enabling extensions to provide functionality based on browsing habits while maintaining user privacy through limited scope.
Storage and Downloads
storage - Enables use of the chrome.storage API for saving data persistently. This permission is essential for extensions that need to maintain state or save user preferences across browser sessions.
downloads - Allows initiating, monitoring, and manipulating downloads. Extensions can start downloads, track progress, and manage download organization with this permission.
unlimitedStorage - Removes quota limitations for storage APIs, allowing extensions to store larger amounts of data. This is particularly useful for extensions that cache significant amounts of content.
Browser Features
bookmarks - Enables creating, organizing, and manipulating bookmarks. Extensions can help users manage their bookmarks more efficiently or provide enhanced bookmark functionality.
history - Allows access to browsing history, enabling extensions to analyze browsing patterns or provide enhanced history management features.
cookies - Enables reading and modifying browser cookies, which is necessary for extensions that need to manage authentication or track user sessions.
clipboardRead/clipboardWrite - Allows reading from and writing to the system clipboard, enabling enhanced copy-paste functionality or content manipulation.
notifications - Enables creating desktop notifications, allowing extensions to alert users about important events or updates.
System Integration
identity - Allows using OAuth2 for authentication, enabling extensions to integrate with various web services securely.
idle - Enables detecting when the machine enters an idle state, useful for extensions that need to manage resource usage or perform background tasks.
power - Allows preventing the system from entering sleep mode, which can be necessary for extensions that need to maintain continuous operation.
system.cpu - Enables access to CPU information, allowing extensions to monitor system performance or adjust their behavior based on available resources.
system.storage - Enables access to storage device information, useful for extensions that need to manage data storage or monitor disk usage.
Network and Communication
webRequest - Allows monitoring and analyzing traffic, enabling extensions to modify or redirect web requests. This is a powerful permission that requires careful consideration of privacy implications.
proxy - Enables controlling proxy settings, allowing extensions to manage network routing and connectivity.
nativeMessaging - Allows communicating with native applications, enabling integration between extensions and desktop software.
declarativeNetRequest - Enables blocking content using predefined rules, providing a more privacy-friendly alternative to webRequest for content blocking.
Device Access
usb - Allows communicating with USB devices, enabling extensions to interact with external hardware.
serial - Enables communication with serial devices, useful for extensions that need to interface with specific hardware peripherals.
bluetooth - Allows discovering and connecting to Bluetooth devices, enabling extensions to provide enhanced device connectivity features.
printer - Enables access to printer settings and capabilities, allowing extensions to enhance printing functionality.