NetPin Extension Documentation
Introduction
Welcome to the official developer documentation for NetPin. NetPin is an open-source Chrome extension that reveals server location geolocations, ASN network routing, WHOIS ownership, and hidden trackers for active website tabs.
Built with performance and data privacy at its core, NetPin enables users to inspect infrastructure without submitting browsing logs or personal identifiers.
Installation (Developer Mode)
To load NetPin manually into any Chromium-based browser (Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Brave, Arc), follow these steps:
Step 1: Clone Repository
Clone the source repository from GitHub to your local environment:
Step 2: Build Extension Bundle
Install Node dependencies and execute the build script:
Step 3: Load Unpacked Extension
- Open your browser and navigate to
chrome://extensions. - Toggle Developer mode ON in the top right corner.
- Click Load unpacked in the top left corner.
- Select the generated
distfolder within your local repository directory.
Extension Architecture
NetPin is built upon the Chrome Manifest V3 standard to optimize memory consumption and execution security.
Background Service Worker
NetPin utilizes a background Service Worker that listens passively to chrome.webRequest navigation events. When top-level domain requests occur, the service worker resolves the remote host's IP address.
Privacy-Preserving Geolocation Queries
Resolved IP addresses are cross-referenced with decentralized geolocation data nodes. Requests pass through proxy endpoints to ensure your originating IP address is never exposed or logged.
Usage Guide
After loading the extension, click the NetPin icon in your browser toolbar while visiting any site. The popup panel displays physical location maps, hosting ASN details, tracker counts, and green energy ratings instantly.
Data Sovereignty & Privacy
NetPin adheres to a strict local-first model:
- Zero Tracking: No analytics scripts or tracking pixels are included.
- No Central Database: Queries are processed statelessly and discarded immediately.
- Auditability: The complete source code is available on GitHub for independent audit.
Community & Contribution
Contributions are welcomed from developers of all backgrounds. Feel free to submit bug reports, pull requests, or feature proposals across our channels: