Cannot use chrome.management API

Question

Now I want to start a chrome app from a chrome extension(in fact, I want to start chrome app through a url, which I have no idea to do). Here comes the question. I added

  "permissions": [
    "management"
  ],

in the manifest of extension. However, when I want to start app by using

chrome.management.launchApp("XXXX", function() {});

, the console says

Uncaught TypeError: Cannot read property 'launchApp' of undefined

So I wonder why I cannot use chrome management API. Thanks!

Answer 1

A workaround for this is available at the SO question Run chrome application from a web site button

Copying Hasitha's answer here for direct reference.

• Add the following piece of code where you want to invoke the chrome app

                                                   //data passed from web to chrome app
  chrome.runtime.sendMessage('your_chrome_app_id', { message: "version" },
      function (reply) {
          if (reply) {
              if (reply.version) {
                  //log the response received from the chrome application
                  console.log(reply.version);
              }
          }
      }
   );
  

• in your chrome application manifest.json define the externally_connectable url/ urls as follows,

  { "name": "App name", "description": "App Desc", "version": "1",

        ...
  
        "externally_connectable": {
          "matches": ["*://localhost:*/"]
        }
      }
  

• In your application background.js setup a listener to be invoked when a message is sent from the web page as follows,

  chrome.runtime.onMessageExternal.addListener(
    function(request, sender, sendResponse) {
      if (request) {
        if (request.message) {
          if (request.message == "version") {
  
            //my chrome application initial load screen is login.html
            window.open('login.html');
  
            //if required can send a response back to the web site aswell. I have logged the reply on the web site
            sendResponse({version: '1.1.1'});
          }
        }
      }
      return true;
    });