Build a Test-Gated Manifest V3 Extension for Safe X Tab Automation

Description and use

Step‑by‑step guide to safely install, test, configure, and observe the X Likes Automator extension, highlighting permission boundaries, test coverage, and pause behavior.

Problem

Automating actions in a social timeline is easy to start and surprisingly hard to bound.

Outcome

The workflow demonstrates how to safely load, test, configure, and observe a Manifest V3 extension that automates likes on X, highlighting permission boundaries, test coverage, and pause behavior.

Workflow

• Clone the exact stable tag v1.1.0
• Run npm test to verify 171 passing tests
• Load the unpacked extension in the browser
• Pin the extension and open an X home timeline tab
• Configure a conservative session: interval 60s, cap 5, disable repost
• Press Iniciar to start the session
• Observe pause when tab is hidden and resume when visible
• Verify popup counter matches visible page
• Press Parar to stop the session
• Inspect extension details and manifest permissions

Evidence

Automating actions in a social timeline is easy to start and surprisingly hard to bound.

Source

Run the included checks: npm test

Source

The repository deliberately has no bundling step. Loading the source directory makes the reviewed JavaScript, manifest, popup, icons, and tests visible.

Source

The extension separates decisions from DOM operations. lib/policy.js is a pure decision engine that validates settings, classifies the current X surface, chooses the next eligible post, and decides whether to like, scroll, wait, pause, or stop.

Source

The project also keeps an explicit refusal list. It does not click reply, quote, follow, direct message, login, or cookie controls.

Source