Copy-External-Image-as-Base64

Copy External Images as Base64 Chrome Extension

A Chrome extension that automatically converts external images to Base64 format when copying content to your clipboard, ensuring images remain accessible even when offline or when original URLs become unavailable.

🚀 Features

• Smart Image Detection: Automatically identifies external images in your selected content
• Seamless Conversion: Converts HTTP/HTTPS images to embedded Base64 data URLs
• Dual Context Support: Works with both text selections and direct image right-clicks
• Clipboard Integration: Maintains original formatting while embedding images
• Offline Compatibility: Copied content with images works without internet connection
• Error Handling: Gracefully handles failed image loads
• Minimal Permissions: Only requests necessary permissions for functionality

📋 How to Use

For Text Selections with Images:

1. Select content containing external images on any webpage
2. Right-click and choose “Copy with external images as Base64”
3. Paste anywhere - images are now embedded and will always display

For Individual Images:

1. Right-click directly on an external image
2. Choose “Copy with external images as Base64”
3. Paste the converted image with embedded Base64 data

🛠 Installation

From Chrome Web Store (Recommended)

1. Visit the Chrome Web Store
2. Click “Add to Chrome”
3. Confirm installation

Manual Installation (Developer Mode)

1. Download or clone this repository
2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/
3. Enable “Developer mode” in the top right
4. Click “Load unpacked” and select the extension directory
5. The extension will appear in your extensions list

📁 File Structure

Copy External Image as Base64/
├── manifest.json          # Extension manifest (Manifest V3)
├── background.js          # Service worker with main logic
├── icons/                 # Extension icons
│   ├── icon16.png
│   ├── icon48.png
│   └── icon128.png
├── README.md             # This file
└── privacy-policy.md     # Privacy policy

🔧 Technical Details

Permissions Used:

• contextMenus: Creates right-click menu option
• scripting: Executes conversion script on current webpage
• activeTab: Accesses current page content to identify and convert images

Supported Formats:

• Input: External images (HTTP/HTTPS URLs)
• Output: Base64 data URLs (maintains original format: PNG, JPEG, GIF, etc.)
• Content: HTML selections with embedded images

Browser Compatibility:

• Chrome 88+ (Manifest V3 support)
• Chromium-based browsers with Manifest V3 support

🔒 Privacy & Security

• Local Processing: All operations are performed locally in your browser
• No Data Collection: Extension does not collect, store, or transmit personal data
• No External Servers: No communication with external servers except to fetch images for conversion
• Temporary Processing: Images are only held in memory during conversion
• Minimal Permissions: Only requests necessary permissions for functionality

See Privacy Policy for detailed information.

🐛 Troubleshooting

Images Not Converting?

• Ensure the image URL is accessible (not behind authentication)
• Check browser console for error messages
• Verify the image is from HTTP/HTTPS source (not data: URLs)

Context Menu Not Appearing?

• Make sure you’re right-clicking on selectable content or images
• Extension only works on web pages (not Chrome internal pages)

Clipboard Issues?

• Grant clipboard permissions when prompted by browser
• Ensure you’re using a supported browser
• Try refreshing the page and attempting again

🤝 Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues, feature requests, or pull requests.

Development Setup:

1. Clone the repository
2. Load the extension in developer mode
3. Make your changes
4. Test thoroughly
5. Submit a pull request

📄 License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

🙏 Acknowledgments

• Chrome Extensions API documentation
• Modern clipboard API implementation
• Base64 encoding/FileReader API

📞 Support

If you encounter any issues or have questions:

• Open an issue on GitHub
• Contact: josefkainz1992@gmail.com

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Perfect for:

• Saving web content for offline viewing
• Creating self-contained documentation
• Sharing content without broken image links
• Archiving web pages with images
• Email newsletters with embedded images
• Documentation with consistent image display

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