How do I redirect to a URL using a Google Chrome Extension & Content Script?

I'm currently building a Google Chrome extension which tests for certain patterns and if found, redirects them to a new URL.

I've gotten the pattern checking done via a content script, and now I'm not sure how can I proceed with getting the redirect done. Any suggestions ?

Solution 1:

Send redirect url from a content script to a background page:

chrome.runtime.sendMessage({redirect: "http://redirect"});

In a background page update tab's url which would cause redirect:

chrome.runtime.onMessage.addListener(function(request, sender) {
    chrome.tabs.update(sender.tab.id, {url: request.redirect});
});

Solution 2:

If you want to access a file inside your WebExtension, you can add the file and its prerequisites to web_accessible_resources in manifest.json, as in

{
  ...
  "web_accessible_resources": [
    "images/*.png",
    "style/double-rainbow.css",
    "script/double-rainbow.js",
    "script/main.js",
    "templates/*"
  ],
  ...
}