How to Install and Set Up Scratch Addons

Updated

Scratch Addons is a free, open-source browser extension that adds new features and themes to the Scratch website and project editor. You install it the same way as any other browser extension, then open its settings panel to turn individual addons on or off. Setup is optional beyond installation — most addons work with their default settings, and you can adjust each one from an easy-to-use interface whenever you want.

What you need before installing

  • A desktop browser that supports extensions (the extension is distributed through browser extension stores).
  • A Scratch account if you want addons that act on your account, such as post-sharing confirmations or forum topic following. Browsing and editor addons work without one.
  • No payment is required. Scratch Addons is described as free and open source, built by a community of Scratchers.

Install the extension

  1. Open your browser's extension store and search for Scratch Addons, or go to scratchaddons.com and use the install option on the page.
  2. Add the extension to your browser and confirm the permission prompt.
  3. Pin the extension to your toolbar if your browser hides new extensions by default — you'll need the icon to reach some features.

Expected result: the Scratch Addons icon appears in your browser toolbar, and the extension is active on Scratch pages.

Open the settings and configure addons

Scratch Addons is built around addons — individual features and themes you can enable or disable. The extension provides an interface for controlling the settings of each one.

  1. Click the Scratch Addons icon in your toolbar.
  2. Open the addon list or settings view.
  3. Browse or search for an addon, then toggle it on or off. Addons with options show their own settings controls.
  4. Reload any open Scratch tabs so the change takes effect.

You don't have to configure everything at once. A practical approach is to enable one addon, test it on Scratch, and keep or disable it based on whether it fits your workflow.

Examples of what you can turn on

These are highlights from the extension's own feature list, not the full set:

Addon What it does
Thumbnail uploader Adds a dropdown next to "Set Thumbnail" so you can set a project thumbnail to any image, including GIFs
Follow topics after posting Automatically follows forum topics you post on
Larger "Save Now" button Enlarges the editor's save button to make it easier to click
Block switching Right-click a block to switch it to a related block
Clone counter Shows the total number of clones above the stage in the editor
Cloud games Shows how many Scratchers are currently on multiplayer projects, and their usernames
Hex color picker Adds hex code inputs to color pickers
Confirmations Asks if you're sure before actions under your Scratch account, such as sharing projects
Copy link to comment button Adds a "Copy Link" button next to "Report" on comments
File drag and drop Lets you drag images and sounds from your file manager into the sprite pane or costume/sound list, and text files into lists or "ask and wait" inputs
Enhanced clean up tool Improves the code area's right-click clean up with multiple columns and suggestions for removing unused variables and lists
Developer tools Adds copy/cut/paste blocks, swap variables, and make-space options to the right-click menu
Fix sprite pane glitching Fixes a bug where scripts, costumes, and sounds can't be dragged into sprites without the sprites jumping around
Data category tweaks Provides tweaks for the Data ("Variables") block category
Messages in editor Surfaces messages while you're in the editor

Language and interface

The interface is not English-only. Scratch Addons is available in Spanish, Russian, Japanese, French, and many more languages, so you can use the settings panel in your preferred language if it's supported.

Common snags

  • An addon seems to do nothing. Reload the Scratch tab — many addons only apply on page load.
  • You can't find the icon. Check your browser's extensions menu and pin Scratch Addons to the toolbar.
  • A feature needs your account. Addons like confirmations and automatic topic following act on your Scratch account, so sign in first.
  • You want to undo a change. Disable the individual addon rather than removing the extension; your other settings stay intact.