User scripts
I'll introduce user scripts: small additions to your browser that change how a website works. Let's see how to install one and check its permissions.
Install a script manager
- Choose Tampermonkey or Violentmonkey and open its official installation page. Select your browser and use the extension store linked there; browser support can differ.
- Install the extension and open its dashboard. If the browser requires permission to run user scripts, follow the manager's instructions for your browser version.
Install and use a script
- Open the author's script page and select its installation link, usually ending in .user.js. The manager should open a preview of the script.
- Read its purpose, author and website permissions (@match, @include and @grant), then install it if these match what you want. A script can read or modify the pages on which it runs.
- Reload the target site and confirm that the script is enabled in the manager's menu. If it doesn't run, check the URL matches its supported pages and that no second copy is installed.
Disable or remove it
Open the manager's dashboard to switch a script off, inspect its update source or delete it. Reload the affected tabs after changing its state.