What I Learned From Launching My First Chrome Extension: TaskQueue 💎

Hey Developers! 👋

A few days ago, I launched TaskQueue, my first-ever Chrome extension. It’s a tool to help you quickly set up focused work sessions and manage tasks without juggling multiple apps or distractions. The journey to build and launch this project was a mix of challenges and excitement, and I wanted to share some of the lessons I learned along the way.

What’s TaskQueue?
TaskQueue is built to simplify productivity. It combines task prioritization, descriptions, and focus timers (25, 60, and 90 minutes) into one clean popup. It’s designed for people who want to spend less time setting up and more time working, and it’s completely free to start with!

If you want to check it out, here’s the link: TaskQueue on the Chrome Web Store.

The Tech Stack
TaskQueue was built using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. For anyone looking to build their first Chrome extension, this trio is a great starting point. The Chrome extension ecosystem is surprisingly approachable, and the documentation makes it easy to get up and running quickly.

Most Enjoyable Stages
One of the most enjoyable parts was designing the icons and UI. Seeing the pieces come together into something functional and visually appealing was incredibly satisfying. I wanted TaskQueue to look simple but polished, with features that are easy to access without any learning curve.

Another favorite was implementing the timers. I loved testing them while working on TaskQueue itself—it felt like using the product as I built it!

Biggest Challenges
The hardest part for me was testing and debugging. Chrome extensions can behave differently depending on the user’s system or browser setup, so ironing out edge cases took some time. Another tricky aspect was balancing simplicity with functionality. With limited popup space, every feature needed to feel essential.

What’s Next?
TaskQueue has just launched, and I’m excited to get feedback to make it even better. I’m working on adding premium features like recurring tasks, batch task additions, and subtasks soon, but for now, I’d love to focus on improving the free version and making it as valuable as possible.

If you try it out, I’d be super grateful for your feedback or a quick review—it really helps! Here’s the link again: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/TaskQueue/pmkhpcbppeiphckfnhdjhiplmbjhmfie

Thanks for reading, and I’d love to hear from you:

Have you built a Chrome extension before? What was your experience like?
What’s your go-to method for staying productive during deep work sessions?
Let’s keep building cool stuff! 😊