Chrome without the chrome? [closed]

Question

I'm developing a desktop application which is completely written in javascript + web services. I'd like to host it in a chromeless web browser. So basically just a window. I don't want the URL bar, I don't want the big blue bar, etc. I just want a window. Without anything. (although I may want an "x" to close it).

I'm not sure if chrome supports this, but I'm looking for a webkit based browser that can do this. (I looked into C#/Awesomium but I'd rather have a regular mainstream browser rather than updating pesky DLLs all the time to support new features)

Amperehour

yes, but i don't want it maximized necessarily... – Amperehour

I think the best way to do that, is embedding a browser in a C# application. – Congruency

I think that you can use webkit core directly. For instance, qt has widget for this: doc.trolltech.com/4.4/qtwebkit.html – Countenance

Answer 1

If you are working in Windows and you have Chrome installed you can create a shortcut with the following Target:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe --app=http://google.com

And Start In:

C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Local\Google\Chrome\Application

This will give you what you want.

To do this on any web page in Chrome go to the wrench --> tools --> Create application shortcuts, here you can add it to Desktop / Start Menu / Pin to Taskbar

Norenenorfleet

Note that the wrench is no longer the wrench but is the hamburger icon. – Norenenorfleet

Answer 2

There's actually a pretty simple solution to this if you have your app installed as a web app in Chrome. On Chrome's new tab page (in the app section), right click the app and simply pick Open as Window instead of Open as Regular Tab. This gives you a window that features only the web page inside of regular OS window decorations, naturally.

Now, as far as I know, this selection can't be controlled by the developer, which makes sense, I guess. But if you want Chrome without the chrome (that's a really nice catchphrase or w/e btw), this is probably the easiest way to do it.

Adjourn

Answer 3

You can also use command line switches for Chrome / Chromium:

http://peter.sh/experiments/chromium-command-line-switches/

check out --kiosk, --enable-fixed-layout, and --window-size

Greengrocer

Answer 4

You are looking for the kiosk mode of google-chrome.

1. Create a shortcut of your web application
2. go to its properties
3. in the target field append this flag --kiosk
4. save
5. open your shortcut

Darren