Managing bookmarks across multiple browsers can be a hassle. With browsers storing bookmarks locally, switching between Chrome, Edge, Brave or other browsers and different devices often results in duplicated or missing links. To solve this problem, I developed a personal browser extension and API called Bookify that syncs bookmarks seamlessly across browsers and devices. This post explians into how I built this tool, the features it offers, and how it simplifies bookmark management.
As someone who frequently switches between browsers for work and personal use, I needed a streamlined way to manage my bookmarks. Existing solutions felt too rigid or required third-party accounts so I decided to create a lightweight, personal tool that:
Eliminates Duplicates: Syncs bookmarks based on their URL and folder values.
Browser-Agnostic: Works across Chrome, Edge, and other major browsers.
Simple & Efficient: No unnecessary features; just the essentials.
Key Features of Bookify
Add Bookmarks: Save the current tab’s URL, title, and folder name with ease.
Sync Across Browsers: Fetch bookmarks saved in one browser and sync them with another without duplicates.
Delete Bookmarks: Manage your bookmark collection by removing outdated or unwanted entries.
API-Backed Storage: Centralized storage using a Django-based API to keep bookmarks secure and accessible.
Folder-Based Identification: Browser names are set as folder names, making it easy to distinguish and organize bookmarks.
How It Works
Extension UI:
The extension’s popup features a form to add bookmarks, a sync button to fetch updates, and a delete button for quick cleanup.
Built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for a responsive and intuitive design.
Backend API:
Developed in Django, the API handles CRUD operations for bookmarks.
Syncing is optimized by checking URL and folder values to avoid duplicates.
Sync Logic:
Bookmarks stored in the API are tagged with browser names as folder identifiers.
When syncing, the extension compares local bookmarks with the API’s data to fetch only new entries.
What’s Next?
While the extension meets my current needs, here are some ideas for future enhancements:
Search and Filter: Quickly locate bookmarks by title or URL.
Export/Import: Allow to export bookmarks as a file.
Conclusion
Building Bookify solved a personal pain point and showcased the power of combining browser extensions with APIs. Whether you’re managing bookmarks for multiple browsers or just looking for inspiration for your next project, I hope this post provided some useful insights.
Happy coding!