#Reload Manager

The Reload Manager is a built-in component during Addfox development, responsible for automatically reloading the extension after code changes.

#How It Works

Source code changes
    ↓
Rsbuild rebuilds
    ↓
WebSocket sends reload signal
    ↓
Reload Manager receives signal
    ↓
Disable extension → Enable extension
    ↓
Extension reloads

#Why Reload Manager is Needed

Browser extensions differ from regular web apps. After code changes:

1. Extension needs reload — For manifest changes to take effect
2. Content Script needs re-injection — To update scripts in pages
3. Service Worker needs restart — For background script updates

The browser doesn't handle these automatically, so Addfox provides the Reload Manager to automate this process.

#Usage

The Reload Manager is automatically enabled during addfox dev, no extra configuration needed.

pnpm

npm

yarn

bun

pnpm dev

npm run dev

yarn dev

bun run dev

#Technical Implementation

The Reload Manager is a helper extension loaded alongside the main extension:

1. Main extension — Your extension under development
2. Reload Manager extension — Listens to WebSocket and controls main extension

The Reload Manager extension:

• Auto-installs in dev mode
• Receives notification via WebSocket after build completes
• Sends chrome.management API commands to disable then enable main extension
• Refreshes current tab when Content Script changes

#Configuration

#Hot Reload Port

// addfox.config.ts
export default defineConfig({
  hotReload: {
    port: 23333,  // WebSocket port
  },
});

#Disable Page Refresh

export default defineConfig({
  hotReload: {
    autoRefreshContentPage: false,  // Don't refresh page on content changes
  },
});

#Manual Reload

If auto-reload has issues, you can manually reload:

1. Visit chrome://extensions/
2. Find the extension under development
3. Click the refresh icon

Or use keyboard shortcuts:

• macOS: Cmd + R (on extensions page)
• Windows/Linux: Ctrl + R

#Related Configuration

• hotReload - Hot reload configuration
• guide/hmr - Hot reload guide