createClerkClient for service workers; syncSessionWithTab replaced

We're excited to release version 2.0 of the Chrome Extension SDK. Version 2.0 comes with the new createClerkClient() helper for background service workers, improved support for syncing auth state with your web application and detailed documentation for the SDK.

Take a look at our Chrome Extension Quickstart if you're just getting started, or read over the Chrome Extension documentation to learn about all of the features.

Our Chrome Extension Quickstart repo⁠ and Chrome Extension Demo repo⁠ are a great reference or starting point for a project.

Introducing createClerkClient() for Service Workers

Chrome Extensions pose a unique challenge for developers using Clerk. When the popup or side panel is closed, the Clerk session cookie will become stale. The createClerkClient() function is specifically designed to allow extension developers to refresh the user's session, obtain a valid token or other auth, and retrieve user data.

import { createClerkClient } from '@clerk/chrome-extension/background'

const publishableKey = process.env.PLASMO_PUBLIC_CLERK_PUBLISHABLE_KEY

// create a new Clerk instance and get a fresh token for the user
async function getToken() {
  const clerk = await createClerkClient({
    publishableKey,
  })

  // if there is no user session, then return nothing
  if (!clerk.session) {
    return null
  }

  // return the user's token
  return await clerk.session?.getToken()
}

// create a listener to listen for messages from content scripts
chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener((request, sender, sendResponse) => {
  console.log('Handling request for the users current token')

  getToken()
    .then((token) => {
      sendResponse({ token })
    })
    .catch((error) => {
      console.error('[Service Worker]: Error occured -> ', JSON.stringify(error))
      sendResponse({ token: null })
    })

  return true // REQUIRED: Indicates that the listener responds asynchronously.
})

You can now send a message from a content script to the background service worker and get auth status or a token for the user.

// send a message to the background service worker
chrome.runtime.sendMessage({ greeting: 'get-token' }, (response) => {
  // you can now have access to the user's token
  console.log(response.token)
})

Breaking Changes

• syncSessionWithTab has been removed and replaced with syncHost. Changelog⁠ Sync Host Guide⁠
• The storage host permission is now required. Changelog⁠