Chrome Extension

Last updated

May 21, 2026

The Uiprobe Chrome Extension connects live webpages to their corresponding probes, allowing you to run comparisons and review probe status without leaving the page you're inspecting.

It acts as a lightweight control surface that sits alongside the web app, optimized for quick checks and repeat runs during development and review.

What happens when you open the extension

When you open the extension on a webpage, Uiprobe first determines whether you're authenticated and whether a probe already exists for the current URL.

If you're not signed in, the extension prompts you to authenticate via Figma. Once signed in, this authentication is reused across Uiprobe, so you don't need to sign in again when moving between the extension and the web app.

If you're signed in, the extension automatically checks whether the current webpage is already linked to a probe.

Active probe state

If a probe exists for the current URL, the extension displays the active probe.

The probe card shows:

the probe name
the current status (for example: up to date, running, or outdated)
the number of detected findings in the latest version
the timestamp of the last run

From this state, you can:

Run probe to create a new probe version
Open in app to inspect results in the full Probe Inspector
Open Figma to jump to the linked design frame

Running a probe from the extension never overwrites previous results. Each run creates a new version, just like running a probe from the web app.

Creating a probe from the extension

If no probe exists for the current webpage, the extension offers the option to create one.

Creating a probe from the extension requires a Figma frame URL. Once provided, Uiprobe validates the input and confirms whether the frame can be used as a design source.

After validation:

the probe is created
the initial comparison is run
the extension transitions into the active probe state

From that moment on, the webpage and the Figma frame are linked through the probe.

Selecting from drafts

If you have draft probes waiting to be completed, the extension shows a Select from drafts button on the "No probe found" screen.

Clicking it opens a list of your draft probes. Each entry shows the frame name and timestamp. Select a draft to see a confirmation screen with the Figma frame URL (read-only), then click Create to pair the draft with the current page URL.

The draft converts to a standard probe and the first comparison runs automatically. The extension transitions into the active probe state.

The drafts option is only visible when you have draft probes. If no drafts exist, only the standard "Create new" option appears.

Re-running extension-created probes

Probes created via the Chrome Extension can only be re-run from the extension. The web app does not show a re-run action for these probes.

To create a new version, return to the page in Chrome and run the probe from the extension as normal.

The exception is if you replace the webpage URL via Probe Settings with a publicly accessible URL — at that point the probe can be re-run from the web app like any other probe.

Relationship to the web app

The Chrome Extension is designed to complement the web app, not replace it.

You can use the extension to:

detect whether a probe exists for a page
run new probe versions
complete draft probes by pairing them with a webpage
jump directly to detailed results

You must use the web app to:

review findings in depth
navigate versions and comparisons
manage probes beyond running them

This separation keeps the extension fast and focused while leaving deeper analysis to the full interface.

What the Chrome Extension is not

The Chrome Extension is intentionally limited in scope.

It does not:

run probes in the background
support multiple probes for the same URL
allow deleting or replacing probes
manage sharing or access controls

Its role is to make running and accessing probes frictionless while you're working on a live page.

Related concepts

Written by:

Maarten Boon

CEO & Co Founder