Safari Plug-in Kit (Safari extensions engine)

Safari Plug-in Kit (SPK) allows the Safari web browser to host extensions of any kind. SPK can give Mac OS users all the benefits of interaction between their software and web resources.

The SPK platform supports a host of extensions, including:

• Toolbars;
• Side-bars;
• Custom navigation bar buttons;
• Hidden plug-ins (not visible on GUI, but performing a variety of functions).
• JavaScript injection on any web page;

Structure

The following diagram shows the principles of the SPK-based plug-in working process:

SPK and any number of desired plug-ins are stored in special packages called bundles. SPK not only executes plug-ins, but also has full-time control over them. As the diagram shows, plug-ins can interact with any other Safari objects and interfaces via the SPK platform. SPK controls the whole process of interaction, carrying out stability and security checks at each stage, but does not hinder the functionality of the plug-in.

Benefits

• Opportunity to create extensions of any complexity. Our technology provides an ability to use Cocoa and Objective-C additionally to JavaScript for your project needs.
• You can easily create UI for your extension with the help of XML User Interface Markup Language that is similar to Mozilla XUL.
• Full support of Safari 3, 4 and 5 on Mac OS X.
• Port Firefox extensions to Safari. Most of the source code can be reused.
• Full compatibility with other Safari extensions.
• Automatic extension updates from your server.

Usage sample

Download and install Macte! Toolbar to sample of our platform usage. This simple but effective toolbar offers internet searches via Google, Yahoo and MSN and provides quick access to numerous Google services.