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Outsourced-Logic / Skipper

Skipper is a browser extension that enhances accessibility on platforms like YouTube by providing automated interactions with "skip ad" buttons.
Apache License 2.0
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chrome chrome-extension chromium firefox firefox-addon firefox-extension

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Skipper

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Download here

Firefox: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/the-skipper/?utm_source=addons.mozilla.org&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=search

Chrome: https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/skipper/eebmedlefmgminllkhpefflacofnlglb

Developer notes

This is my first Github project and a majority of the code was generated with guidance from GPT-4 as a personal learning exercise. If this repository or my code is not properly optimized, feel free to log an issue recommending changes.

What is Skipper?

Skipper is an open-source and creator-friendly browser extension that automatically looks for and interacts with 'skip ad' buttons, enhancing accessibility on platforms like YouTube by allowing users with disabilities to minimize repetitive manual interactions.

Skipper was developed in response to the lack of suitable ad-management extensions that met my personal needs and expectations. After doing some research, I found that the issue I was dealing with was shared by users of common accessibility software due to a gap in functionality that made interaction with specific buttons difficult. Due to this issue, many users download ad-blockers, although this brings a new handful of issues with it!

With this in mind, Skipper aims to tackle various common issues found in existing ad-management options by implementing solutions to these issues in our core design.

Skipper is not designed, intended, or marketed as an ad-blocker of any kind.

Why Skipper?

Do you use accessibility software that makes it difficult to interact with "skip" buttons on ads?

Do you like to turn on YouTube content like podcasts, while completing other tasks?

Are you bothered by ads that require you to manually skip them after 5 seconds or endure 10 minutes of some guy trying to sell you a get-rich-quick course?

Skipper could be right for you.

Skipper supports creators

Unlike ad-blockers that take ad revenue from creators and violate the YouTube Terms of Service, Skipper is an accessibility extension that interacts with websites using your browser's built-in features, the same way a normal user would; this ensures that the website, advertisers and creators are not negatively impacted.

Skipper is free and open-source

The other extensions on the market cost money or trick you into downloading them before asking you to pay for basic functionality, while offering very little in return. Additionally, it's unclear if this software is safe to download, as the publishers do not have a credible brand and the software is not open-source.

Skipper is committed to always being open-source and having a fully functional free version. This eliminates concerns related to handling of payment information, the safety of software downloads, and the functionality of the extension before downloading.

Skipper is reliable and supported

While other extensions are commonly unreliable, unsupported or outdated, Skipper is designed with reliability in mind and has been privately tested for over 100 hours before public release. Our small team of beta testers continues to evaluate its performance daily by simply using Skipper in their daily life and we will continue to adapt our testing and development around user feedback as Skipper grows.

Skipper is simple and easy to use

Skipper is designed with simplicity in mind, helping users avoid the common problems of bloated or suspicious software that is commonly found in similar extensions.

That's why we're focused on creating a user-friendly approach that does not impact your computer performance, does not require extra downloads or complicated setup.

Check out the demo!

Unsure about downloading? You can demo skipper in your browser!

  1. Open up a Firefox or Chrome browser window
  2. Navigate to YouTube
  3. Press CTRL+SHIFT+J or F12 to open the browser's developer console
  4. Copy the demo script below
  5. Paste the script into the console
  6. Press enter
  7. Close the console with F12 or with the little 'x' below the top right corner
  8. Play any video
  9. Skipper will now search The Seven Seas for the skip button.

Note: The Skipper demo will usually stop running when you navigate away from the page that the script was launched on; this is a limitation of the demo and will not occur with the downloaded extension. If the Skipper Demo stops working, simply open the developer console and follow the steps above again.

Demo script 


function clickElement() {
    var element = document.querySelector(".ytp-ad-skip-button.ytp-button");
    if (element && element.offsetParent !== null) {
        element.click();
    } else {
        console.log("Skipper is automating the ad-skipping process");
    }
}

setInterval(clickElement, 1000); // run the clickElement function every 1000 milliseconds (1 seconds)

Import Skipper as a personal Chrome extension

  1. Download the most recent release of Skipper
  2. Unzip the folder
  3. Open your Chrome browser
  4. Navigate to the URL chrome://extensions/ or the extension management screen.
  5. Select 'Load unpacked'
  6. Navigate to the unzipped Skipper folder from step 1 and select the folder titled "Chrome"

Skipper is ready to set sail!

NOTE: After downloading and extracting the most recent Skipper release, you will have a unzipped file titled similarly to "Skipper v1.0.0.0.zip" containing a child folder with the same name. In "Step 5" you must select the child folder that contains the manifest.json and background.js files or the browser will return an error stating that the manifest file was not found.

Import Skipper as a temporary Firefox extension

  1. Download the most recent release of Skipper
  2. Unzip the folder
  3. Open your Firefox browser
  4. Navigate to the URL "about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox"
  5. Click the "Load Temporary Add-on" button at the top right side of the screen
  6. Use the pop-up file browser to locate the unzipped Skipper folder that was downloaded in Step 1
  7. Click through the folder and locate the file named "manifest.json"
  8. Click "manifest.json" and click "open"
  9. Skipper is now imported into Firefox
  10. Navigate to YouTube or another supported website
  11. Enjoy videos while minimizing interruptions and unnecessary manual interaction with your device

Skipper is ready to set sail!

Copyright 2023, Outsourced-Logic This file is part of "Skipper", an open-source and creator friendly browser extension that automatically skips ads on YouTube by searching for the "Skip ad" button and interacting with the "Skip ad" button when it's present. Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS, WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations under the License. Disclaimer: Please be advised that Skipper, the browser extension discussed on this website, is not designed, intended, or marketed as ad-blocker software of any kind. Skipper's primary goal is to enhance the user experience and accessibility of online content by filling a gap not met by common accessibility software, without negatively impacting the creators or platforms involved. It does not prevent advertisements from being displayed, nor does it bypass or interfere with the advertising systems employed by websites or platforms. Instead, it automates the process of skipping ads at the users request, when users have the option to do so, much like a regular user of the platform would. By using Skipper, users acknowledge and agree that they understand the purpose and functionality of the extension, and that they will not use it for any purpose that is in violation of the terms of service of the websites or platforms they visit. Users are solely responsible for their use of Skipper and any consequences that may arise from the use of the extension. By using Skipper, users agree to indemnify and hold harmless the developers, contributors, and any affiliated parties from any claims, damages, or other liabilities arising from the use or misuse of the extension. Please ensure that you use Skipper responsibly and in accordance with the terms and conditions of the websites or platforms you visit.