This extension lets you limit the width of any web page, for better readability on big screens.

Latest Version

Version
1.8
Update
May 15, 2020
Size
17.63KiB
Developer
Category
Users
296
Rating
4.38462 ★
Manifest Version
2
Web Store Status
Languages Support
English (United States)
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Permissions
ActiveTab
Storage
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Skinny Extension

When a web page has lines of text that run the full width of the page, it can become hard to read on high resolution monitors. If you find yourself making your browser window smaller just so you can read Wikipedia comfortably, this is the extension for you!

Just click the Skinny icon to instantly make the page narrower. (The extensions doesn't change any pages until you click the button.)

Two vertical bars are added to the page, visible only on hover, that you can drag to change the width.

It will keep track of pages that you have set to be 'skinny', except any pages you visit in incognito mode.

If there's a site that's not behaving well with this extension let me know and I'll check it out.
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Source Manifest.json

{"update_url": "https://clients2.google.com/service/update2/crx", "manifest_version": 2, "name": "Skinny", "description": "This extension lets you limit the width of any web page, for better readability on big screens.", "version": "1.8", "permissions": [ "activeTab", "storage" ], "background": { "scripts": ["extensionEvents.js"], "persistent": false }, "content_scripts": [ { "matches": [""], "js": ["tab.js"], "run_at": "document_start" } ], "icons": { "16": "icon_16_off.png", "48": "icon_48_on.png", "128": "icon_128_on.png" }, "browser_action": { "default_title": "Make this site skinny", "default_icon": "icon_16_off.png" }}
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How to download and manually install Skinny extension for Chrome

Looking for a way to install Skinny extensions for Chrome, you can search for them in the Chrome Web Store, clicking the "Add to Chrome" button, and following the straightforward process.

However, you may need to install Skinny extensions manually, this article outlines two simple methods to effortlessly install Skinny extensions, whether they come as unpacked folders in compressed formats like .zip or as .crx files.

Method 1: Download Skinny extension and manually install through Drag &Drop

If you ever need to manually install a Skinny extension for Chrome, don't worry, it's a simple process. Just follow these easy steps, and you will have your extension ready to use in no time.

Step 1: Download the Skinny Extension by clicking the "Download CRX" button on the website.

Look for the Skinny extension you wish to install. Go to the website and download the Skinny extension package, which is usually a .CRX file and comes in a zipped file. Here ".crx" file is the format for Skinny extension that contains all the data.

Step 2: Extract &Arrange Files

Once the file is downloaded, extract that file into its own folder. Similarly, give that extension files a permanent home. In other words, keep it in a folder that you don't accidentally delete it because these files will be needed to make that extension work.

Step 3: Go to the Chrome Extensions Page

Open Google Chrome and in the address bar, type chrome://extensions; it will open the Google Chrome extensions page. Make sure that "My extensions" is selected in the sidebar.

Step 4: Drag and Drop the Extension

Now, go to the folder where you extracted the Skinny extension and drag &drop the extension file from there anywhere onto the extension page within Google Chrome.

Step 5: Complete the Installation

Once you drag and drop the extension file, follow the steps that Google Chrome takes you through. Similarly, if the extension file is of .crx file format, you will be required to review the permissions and then add the extension.

Now, you can manage that added extension as you would like to with any other Chrome extension that you added through Chrome Webstore. Its icon will also appear in the Google Chrome Menu on the right side of the address bar once you activate it.

Method 2: Download Skinny extension for Chrome and install in Developer Mode

This is another method to install Skinny extension manually, but the twist is that here, you install by enabling the developer mode option provided in Google Chrome. This mode is commonly used for testing extensions or running unpublished tools.

Step 1: Download the Skinny extension file

Select and download the Skinny extension by clicking the 'Download CRX' button on the website.

Step 2: Extract the downloaded contents

Convert the file to a ZIP file if it is in CRX format then extract the Skinny extension zip file or folder that you downloaded. Make sure you extract it using the same folder name and keep it safely in another folder, so you don't delete it by mistake. The extracted folder will be needed to keep your Skinny extension running.

Step 3: Open Chrome Extension Setting Page

In the address bar of Google Chrome, type chrome://extensions and open the Chrome Extension Page.

Step 4: Enable Developer Mode

After opening the Chrome Extension page, look at the top right side, and you will find the toggle option of "Developer mode."Simply enable that developer mode option.

Step 5: Load the Unpacked Extension

Once you enable the developer mode option, you will see the menu of Load Unpacked, Pack Extensions and Update. From that, select the option "Load unpacked."

Step 6: Select the Extension Folder

Once the pop-up opens upon clicking Load unpacked, select the Skinny extension directory and click on the "Select Folder "button.

Step 7: Confirm and Install

After you select an extension folder of a Google Chrome extension you're installing manually, confirm its installation for the final time and let the installation complete.

Conclusion

Here we've made a step-by-step guide on How to manually install Skinny extension in 2 ways. We hope this guide proves helpful.

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User reviews

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Ruchir Rakesh (ID: 000000d26224ad74) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 06/15/2023 great extension, i hope it's updated more in the present. this will blow up if any community finds about it. I have one request for the extension to adjust the page if the page zoom is change, it causes the page to aligh left side in some scenarios. thank you to the dev! i genuinly am gratefull

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tyler relyt (ID: 000000ef407f10d0) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 02/27/2023 By far my favorite extension of its kind. It's a shame this doesn't have more users. Also, it hasn't been updated in nearly 3 years, but still works perfectly, so I guess there's no real reason to update it. Highly recommend this extension for anyone who happens to come across this hidden gem.

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Victoria Besarab (ID: 000000128c32837d) Voted 1 ★ - Updated 01/23/2022 unfortunatelly, this EXT doent work as expected. first there is no any bar visible on hover, but there is a constant visiable bar next to general scroll one. next, it doest fit the page properly, you need to zoom down the page to approx 40% to see the result of so called centering. not reccomended,

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Michal Neoral (ID: 000000649267af7c) Voted 4 ★ - Updated 03/28/2021 Finally, something what is working on the whole domain, even with reloading pages. I tried so many of similiar extensions and nothing worked (except this one). Only thing what is missing for me is possibility of set the width of the page.

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Christian King (ID: 000000afdbd5555b) Voted 5 ★ - Updated 02/21/2019 Finally overcomes the abysmal readability of sites like Wikipedia. Now I can rest happy, know that other out there can continue fighting over their subpar reading experience.