Nova Browser project README
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README.md
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# Nova Browser 🦎
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A sophisticated Android browser built on **GeckoView** with:
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- **Real WebExtensions support** — the Firefox add-on model, powered by `WebExtensionController`
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- **Built-in developer console** — in-page inspector (Eruda) + console-log bridge to the native UI + remote debugging from desktop Firefox DevTools
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- Multi-tab engine, URL bar, and a clean Kotlin/Compose UI shell to grow from
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## Build it
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1. Install [Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio) (Koala 2024.1 or newer).
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2. Clone this repo (or download as zip): https://huggingface.co/datasets/Offlin33er/nova-browser
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3. Open the folder in Android Studio and let it sync (Gradle 8.x, AGP 8.5.2, Kotlin 1.9.24).
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4. Download the inspector bundle once:
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```
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curl -L -o app/src/main/assets/devconsole/eruda.min.js \
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https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/eruda/eruda.min.js
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```
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(`eruda-loader.js` also falls back to the CDN at runtime if the file is missing.)
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5. Run ▶ on a device or emulator (minSdk 24).
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## Dependency pins (verified)
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| Dependency | Version |
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|---|---|
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| `org.mozilla.geckoview:geckoview` (stable) | `147.0.20260212191108` — confirmed on [maven.mozilla.org](https://maven.mozilla.org/maven2/org/mozilla/geckoview/) |
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| AGP | 8.5.2 |
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| Kotlin | 1.9.24 (Compose compiler 1.5.14) |
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| Compose BOM | 2024.09.03 |
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To bump GeckoView, pick the newest version string from the Mozilla Maven index above and edit `app/build.gradle.kts`.
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## Project layout
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```
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app/src/main/java/dev/nova/browser/
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BrowserActivity.kt — activity: runtime, UI, tab switching, messaging
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TabManager.kt — one GeckoSession per tab, activate/close
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app/src/main/assets/devconsole/
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manifest.json — privileged built-in extension (geckoViewAddons, nativeMessaging)
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eruda-loader.js — content script: injects Eruda, bridges console logs
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```
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## Dev console — the two layers
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1. **In-page inspector**: the bundled `devconsole@nova` extension injects [Eruda](https://github.com/liriliri/eruda) into every page (console, DOM, network). Console output is also forwarded over GeckoView **native messaging** (`sendNativeMessage("browser", ...)`) to `NovaMessageDelegate` in the app, which logs it and feeds the native Console screen.
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2. **Remote debugging**: `runtime.settings.setDebugSupportEnabled(true)` is set at startup — open `about:debugging` in desktop Firefox and connect over USB/Wi-Fi to attach full DevTools.
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## Roadmap
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M0 shell (this repo) → M1 tab tray + restore → M2 navigation/toolbar polish → M3 extension manager + action buttons → M4 native Console screen → M5 AMO `.xpi` install flow → M6 privacy, storage, reader mode, release.
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See the blueprint & course document for the full 12-module development curriculum.
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## License
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MPL-2.0 (matches the Mozilla components this builds on).
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