The popular Redirector browser extension, which allows users to automatically redirect URLs based on patterns, finds itself at a crossroads following the death of its original creator and ongoing browser compatibility challenges.
Legacy of a Beloved Developer
In late 2021, the tech community lost Einar Egilsson, the original developer behind Redirector. Known for his good-natured personality and contributions to the developer community, Egilsson had maintained and nurtured the extension for many years. His passing left behind not just a useful tool, but a testament to how individual developers can create software that impacts millions of users worldwide. While someone has taken over stewardship of the project, development has slowed significantly, and the new maintainers are actively seeking contributors with JavaScript skills to help continue the work.
Chrome Users Left Behind
The extension's availability has become increasingly limited, particularly for Chrome users. Redirector is no longer available on the Chrome Web Store, primarily due to Google's transition from Manifest V2 to Manifest V3 for browser extensions. This change, which Google plans to complete by Chrome version 139 in August 2025, has effectively blocked many existing extensions from functioning. The shift has forced users to seek alternatives, with some turning to userscripts through tools like Tampermonkey or Greasemonkey, while others have migrated to browsers like Firefox that still support the older extension format.
Supported Browsers (Current Status)
- Firefox: ✅ Available and functional
- Chrome: ❌ No longer available due to Manifest V3
- Vivaldi: ✅ Available
- Opera: ✅ Available
- Edge: ✅ Available
Community Seeks Workarounds
Despite these challenges, the community has found creative solutions to maintain similar functionality. Some users have discovered that search engines like Kagi offer built-in URL rewriting features, while others recommend alternative extensions like LibreRedirect for specific use cases. For Firefox users, the extension remains functional, though the project's slow development pace raises questions about long-term sustainability.
All of this can be done with a simple script for Tamper/Grease/Violentmonkey if you don't want to install an extension or are concerned about it not being supported in Manifest V3
The situation highlights a broader challenge facing browser extension developers as major browser vendors implement new security models that, while potentially safer, can break existing functionality that users have come to rely on.
Alternative Solutions
- Userscripts: Tampermonkey, Greasemonkey, Violentmonkey
- Built-in features: Kagi search engine URL rewriting
- Specialized extensions: LibreRedirect, Nitter Redirect
- Safari: Redirect Web (App Store)
- Firefox: Request Interceptor addon
Looking Forward
The Redirector extension's story reflects the fragile nature of community-driven software projects. What began as one developer's solution to a common web browsing annoyance became an essential tool for power users who wanted to customize their online experience. Now, with its creator gone and technical barriers mounting, the project serves as a reminder of both the impact individual developers can have and the importance of sustainable open-source development practices.
Manifest V3: Google's newer extension platform that restricts certain capabilities for security reasons, but limits functionality of many existing extensions.
Reference: einaregilsson/Redirector