YTShorter (WIP)

YTShorter is a project designed to enhance the YouTube Shorts experience by allowing users to navigate between Shorts using global hotkeys. It consists of a Chrome extension, a Go-based native messaging host, and an installer.

Project Structure

• app/: The Go native host application. It runs as a system tray app and listens for global hotkeys.
• ext/: The Chrome extension that communicates with the Go app and interacts with the YouTube page.
• installer/: A Fyne-based GUI installer to set up the Native Messaging manifest.
• assets/: Shared assets like icons.

Architecture

Web Page (YouTube Shorts)
   ▲
   │ DOM access (click "Next")
Content Script (ext/content.js)
   ▲
   │ chrome.runtime.sendMessage
Background Service Worker (ext/background.js)
   ▲
   │ Native Messaging (stdin/stdout)
Go Native Host (app/main.go) [launched by Chrome]
   ▲
   │ Global Hotkey (robotgo/hook)
Keyboard Event (Ctrl+Shift+U)

Setup & Installation (Development)

1. Build the Go App

cd app
go build -o ytshorter-app

2. Build the Installer

cd installer
go build -o installer-app

3. Load the Chrome Extension

1. Open Chrome and go to chrome://extensions.
2. Enable Developer mode.
3. Click Load unpacked and select the ext/ folder in this repository.
4. Note the Extension ID (e.g., abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdef).

4. Run the Installer

1. Run the installer-app built in step 2.
2. Paste the Extension ID into the input field.
3. Click Install Native Host Manifest.

5. Usage

1. Open a YouTube Shorts page (e.g., https://www.youtube.com/shorts/...).
2. The Go app should start automatically (indicated by a tray icon).
3. Press Ctrl+Shift+U (default) to skip to the next Short.
4. You can change the hotkey via the "Set Keybind" option in the tray menu.

Technologies Used

• Go: For the native host and installer.
• Fyne: GUI toolkit for the tray app and installer.
• RobotGo (hook): For global hotkey listening.
• Chrome Native Messaging: For communication between the extension and the Go app.
• JavaScript (Manifest V3): For the Chrome extension.

Current Status (WIP)

• Basic architecture implemented.
• Native messaging bridge working.
• Global hotkey support.
• System tray indicator.
• Basic installer for manifest generation.
• Support for YouTube SPA navigation (yt-navigate-finish).
• Windows support for the installer (Registry keys).
• Improved error handling and auto-reconnect.
• More "reactions" and actions from the tray app.

License

GPLv3