Icon Creation for Browser Extensions

This Skill helps generate browser extension icons at the required sizes from SVG source files.

When to Use This Skill

Use this Skill when:

• Creating icons for a new browser extension
• Converting SVG designs to PNG icons at multiple sizes
• User mentions "extension icon", "icon generation", or "icon sizes"
• Need to generate 16x16, 32x32, 48x48, and 128x128 PNG icons

Quick Start

Option 1: Generate from text/emoji (fastest)

npm install canvas
node generate-icons.js "A"              # Single letter
node generate-icons.js "🎨"             # Emoji
node generate-icons.js "X" "#000" "#0f0" # Custom colors

Option 2: Create custom SVG design

1. Edit icon.svg - Modify the text element or create custom graphics
2. Generate PNGs: See [README.md](README.md) for conversion methods (Inkscape, ImageMagick, online tools)

Icon Size Requirements

Browser extensions require icons at these sizes:

• 16x16 - Browser toolbar (smallest)
• 32x32 - Browser toolbar (retina displays)
• 48x48 - Extension management page
• 128x128 - Chrome Web Store and extension installation

Design Tips

• Use the full 128x128 canvas - Make primary elements large and bold
• Test at 16x16 - Ensure icon is readable at smallest size
• Simple, bold shapes - Avoid thin lines that disappear when scaled down
• High contrast - Ensure icon stands out on light and dark backgrounds

Generation Methods

Method 1: Node.js Script (Recommended)

npm install canvas
node generate-icons.js

Method 2: Other Tools

For Inkscape, ImageMagick, or online tools, see [README.md](README.md).

Complete Documentation

• [USAGE.md](USAGE.md) - Full usage documentation and framework details
• [README.md](README.md) - Alternative generation methods

Example Workflows

Text/Emoji Icon

cd my-extension
npm install canvas
node path/to/generate-icons.js "📧"  # Email icon

Custom SVG Icon

1. Copy and edit icon.svg from this skill directory
2. Modify the <text> element or add custom graphics
3. Convert using Inkscape/ImageMagick (see [README.md](README.md))

Reference in manifest.json

"icons": {
  "16": "icon16.png",
  "32": "icon32.png",
  "48": "icon48.png",
  "128": "icon128.png"
}

Customization Examples

Single letter icons:

• node generate-icons.js "A"
• node generate-icons.js "T"
• node generate-icons.js "𝔉" (Unicode characters)

Emoji icons:

• node generate-icons.js "🎨" (art/design)
• node generate-icons.js "📝" (notes/writing)
• node generate-icons.js "🔧" (tools/settings)

Custom colors:

• node generate-icons.js "X" "#1a1a1a" "#00ff00" (dark bg, green text)
• node generate-icons.js "!" "#ff0000" "#ffffff" (red bg, white text)