zeroconf-lookup

Browser WebExtension for finding local web servers using Zeroconf (which is called Bonjour in the OS X / macOS world).

Hint: this is still work-in-progress and growing fast. Please be patient if it does not immediately work out of the box.

WebExtensions and Zeroconf

In recent Chrome and Firefox browsers (as well as in Safari and others) the Zeroconf discovery has been removed for security reasons. It seems that the only viable alternative is using WebExtensions and NativeMessaging. They work almost identical in both browsers, with Chrome leading the way and Firefox following suit.

NativeMessaging requires an independent host application. This application needs to be installed independently from the browser by means of the operating system. The browser will nevertheless invoke and terminate this application as needed.

Purpose of this repository

This repository aims to provide various methods for getting back Zeroconf into the browser(s). It contains both the standalone host application (in various flavors) and the source code of the browser extensions.

So far, I have not been able to use connection-based messaging, only connectionless. A possible hint can be found under https://discourse.mozilla.org/t/connection-based-native-messaging-doesnt-work-in-popups/17185

By means of a config file it is possible to send LOG and DEBUG messages. See below for configuring. Since this logfile will be overwritten by every invocation, it will not grow.

Configuration

to be added - call zeroconf_lookup -h or check the source code - sorry I'm still working on it

Installation

For installing the native host program, see the INSTALL.md file in this directory.

Installation – Firefox and Chrome / Chromium WebExtension

To install the browser extension search for zeroconf in the appropriate app stores.

For Firefox It can also be installed in debugging mode from the Git repository. See https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/WebExtensions_and_the_Add-on_ID#Basic_workflow_with_no_add-on_ID for an explanation how to install. The Firefox directory within the local copy of the repository is the location that needs to be loaded.

The same is possible for Chrome / Chromium See https://developer.chrome.com/extensions/getstarted#unpacked

Contributing to this repository

Contributions and comments are welcome.