Editing Tampermonkey scripts outside of the browser can be a handy trick for users who want to have more control and flexibility over their scripts. While Tampermonkey mainly operates within the browser, it is possible to edit your scripts with an external text editor to make changes more efficiently. Here’s how you can do it:
Firstly, you need to locate the Tampermonkey scripts on your device. These scripts are usually stored on your computer's file system once installed through the browser extension. You can find the script files by navigating to your browser’s extension settings and looking for the Tampermonkey extension.
Once you've located the script you want to edit, right-click on the Tampermonkey icon in your browser and select 'Dashboard'. In the dashboard, find the script you wish to edit, and click on the 'Edit' button. This will open the script in a new tab in your browser.
Next, copy the script code from the Tampermonkey editor in the browser. You can do this by selecting all the code (Ctrl+A) and then copying it (Ctrl+C). Once you have the code copied, open your preferred text editor on your computer. Popular text editors include Notepad++, Visual Studio Code, Sublime Text, or even simple editors like Notepad or TextEdit.
Paste the copied script code into your text editor (Ctrl+V). Now, you can make any changes or edits to the script using the features provided by the text editor. This method allows for a more robust editing experience, including syntax highlighting, search and replace functionality, and more.
After you have made the desired changes to the script, save the file in the text editor. Ensure that you save the file with the .user.js extension to maintain compatibility with Tampermonkey. This extension tells the browser that the file is a user script and should be loaded by Tampermonkey.
Now, go back to the Tampermonkey dashboard in the browser, click the 'Edit' button for the script again, and delete the existing script code in the Tampermonkey editor. Copy the modified code from your text editor and paste it into the Tampermonkey editor.
Finally, click the 'File' menu in the Tampermonkey editor and select 'Save' to save the changes. Your edited script is now ready to be used with the updates you made outside of the browser.
By following these steps, you can efficiently edit your Tampermonkey scripts outside of the browser using a text editor, giving you more control and flexibility in managing your user scripts. Be sure to test your edited script to ensure it works as intended and enjoy the customized browsing experience!