After using a browser for a long time, you’ll inevitably encounter pain points: pop-up ads keep popping up, repetitive forms make your hands sore, and your favorite website layout doesn’t fit your reading habits… In fact, all these problems can be easily solved with user scripts. To master user scripts, you need to grasp two core tools: the script manager Tampermonkeyand the script sharing platform Greasyfork. This article covers tool principles, practical steps, and alternatives to help you systematically master browser scripts and truly “customize” your browser.
1. Basic Understanding: The “Iron Triangle” Relationship in the User Script Ecosystem
Many beginners confuse “scripts”, “managers”, and “platforms” when they first start. In fact, the three form an interdependent ecosystem, and none can be missing:
- User Scripts: Essentially pieces of JavaScript code that modify webpage behaviors (e.g., ad blocking, auto-refreshing, content beautification). They cannot run independently and require a manager to “activate” them;
- Script Managers: Browser extensions responsible for installing, updating, enabling/disabling scripts, and managing permissions. They act as the “bridge” between scripts and browsers, with Tampermonkey being the representative tool;
- Script Sharing Platforms: Equivalent to “app stores” for scripts, gathering ready-made scripts shared by developers worldwide. Users can download and use them without programming knowledge, and Greasyfork is currently the most mainstream platform.
Simple summary: Find scripts on Greasyfork, run them with Tampermonkey. Combining the two allows your browser to break through native limitations and achieve various personalized functions.
2. In-Depth Analysis: Why Did Tampermonkey Adopt the Chinese Nickname “Oil Monkey”?2. In-Depth Analysis: Why Tampermonkey Dominates the User Script Manager Space
the Chinese nickname (Youhou)Chinese associating ” withWhen discussing script managers, many long-time users first think of Greasemonkey, but modern users now largely default to Tampermonkey as their go-to tool. Behind this shift is 20 years of iteration in the browser ecosystem.
Chinese Nickname 1. Tool Iteration History: From Greasemonkey to Tampermonkey
In 2005, developer Anthony Lieuallen created the first script manager for Firefox—Greasemonkey (Youhou). With its revolutionary ability to “customize any webpage function”, it quickly became a “god-level extension” in the Firefox community. However, it had an obvious fatal flaw: only supporting Firefox browsers.
In 2010, German developer Jan Biniok launched Tampermonkey (literally “Tamper Monkey”), a script manager supporting Chrome. As Chrome’s market share soared (according to Similarweb statistics, it accounts for over 65% of global users, with approximately 2.65 billion users), while Firefox only accounts for 2.22%, Tampermonkey expanded to all mainstream browsers such as Edge, Safari, and Opera, and even reversed to cover Firefox users.
Due to high functional overlap and stronger compatibility, the Chinese nickname “Oil Monkey” was gradually associated with Tampermonkey. Now in Chinese user communities: “Oil Monkey Scripts” are widely recognized as “user scripts”, and “Oil Monkey Manager” usually refers to Tampermonkey, though long-time users still distinguish between the historical origins of Greasemonkey and Tampermonkey.Due to high functional overlap and stronger cross-browser compatibility, Tampermonkey gradually overtook Greasemonkey in popularity. Today, when users refer to “user script managers” or “user scripts” in the industry, Tampermonkey is often the default reference—though long-time users still distinguish between its origins and Greasemonkey’s legacy.
2. Tampermonkey Safe Download Guide (Browser-Specific Versions)
Different browsers and Chrome kernel versions have large differences in extension compatibility. Choosing the wrong version may lead to installation failure or functional abnormalities. Below are tested safe download channels; it is recommended to prioritize official stores or official websites:
| Version Type | Compatible Browsers/Versions | Update Date | Safe Download Channels |
| Tampermonkey 5.2.3.crx | Chrome/Edge Universal Stable Version | 2024-08-29 | Official Website Download / Local Trusted Source |
| Tampermonkey stable.crx | Chrome Version ≥ 120 | 2024-10-12 | Chrome Web Store / Official Website |
| Tampermonkey Legacy (MV2) | Chrome Version ≥ 70 (Old Device Compatibility) | 2024-10-12 | Chrome Web Store / Official Website Historical Version Page / Trusted Mirror |
| Tampermonkey BETA | Chrome Version ≥ 120 (Early Adopters) | 2024-10-12 | Chrome Web Store / Official Website Beta Channel / Github |
Note: Avoid downloading CRX files from unofficial third-party websites, as they may pose malicious code risks. Official website: tampermonkey.net (accessible directly via domestic networks). GitHub: https://github.com/Tampermonkey/tampermonkey
Firefox Add-on Link: Greasemonkey
3. Greasyfork: The Most Practical “App Store” for User Scripts
As the world’s largest open-source user script platform, Greasyfork is not affiliated with any script manager. However, its clean interface, strict review mechanism, and rich script resources make it the first choice for users to find scripts.
1. Core Advantages of Greasyfork
- No Ads & No Fees: All scripts are freely shared by developers, with no ad interference on the platform;
- Clear Categorization: Classified by scenarios such as “Ad Blocking”, “Webpage Enhancement”, “Social Media”, and “Download Tools” for precise script searching;
- Safety Review: Conducts basic security checks on uploaded scripts, marks script update frequency and user ratings, reducing the risk of pitfalls.
2. Greasyfork Usage Process (Must-Read for Beginners)
- Open the Greasyfork official website (greasyfork.org), accessible directly via domestic networks;
- Enter demand keywords in the search box (e.g., “Bilibili Ad Block”, “Zhihu Content Enhancement”);
- Check script details: Prioritize scripts with “recent update time”, “high user ratings”, and “large installation volume”;
- Click “Install this script”, which will automatically call Tampermonkey to complete the installation. A pop-up prompt “Installation Successful” indicates it takes effect.
4. Beyond Tampermonkey: These Script Managers Are Also Worth Trying
Although Tampermonkey has comprehensive functions, other script managers may be more suitable for different scenarios. Below is a comparison of the core features of 6 mainstream alternatives:
1. Violentmonkey
An open-source, free lightweight script manager supporting Chrome, Firefox, Opera, and other browsers. Key Features: Clean interface with no redundant functions, faster startup speed than Tampermonkey; supports script cloud synchronization (e.g., Dropbox, OneDrive); better compatibility with low-config devices. Suitable for users pursuing a “lightweight” experience.
2. Scriptish
A script manager designed specifically for Firefox, which can be regarded as an “enhanced version” of Greasemonkey. Key Features: Supports automatic script updates, custom whitelists/blacklists (specify scripts to take effect only on specific websites); built-in script editor for easy minor code modifications. Suitable for loyal Firefox users.
3. NinjaKit
A cross-browser open-source script manager compatible with most Tampermuser scripts. Key Features: Small size and low memory usage; supports batch export and backup of scripts; better compatibility with older browsers (e.g., Chrome 60+). Suitable for users who like minimalist tools.
4. Userscript+
A user-friendly script management platform integrating script search and management functions. Key Features: Visual script status switching; built-in popular script recommendations; supports one-click disabling of all scripts. Suitable for pure novice users to get started quickly.
5. Trixie
One of the few script managers supporting Internet Explorer, compatible with IE versions 8-11. Key Features: Compatible with JavaScript and VBScript; supports IE-exclusive webpage function customization. Suitable for office scenarios still using IE browsers.
6. Script Runner
A Chrome-exclusive lightweight script manager focusing on the core needs of “running and managing”. Key Features: Extremely simple operation interface, retaining only script switch and update functions; fast startup speed with no background redundant processes. Suitable for Chrome users who only need basic script management.
5. Conclusion: How to Choose the Most Suitable Script Tool for Yourself?
For novice users: Directly choose the combination of Tampermonkey + Greasyfork, which has the strongest compatibility, richest resources, and no threshold for getting started; For lightweight needs: Try Violentmonkey or Script Runner, which balance function and performance; For Firefox/IE exclusive users: Corresponding to Scriptish and Trixie respectively, with better adaptability.
The core value of user scripts lies in “customizing browser experience”. After mastering these tools, you can continuously expand browser functions according to your needs—from ad blocking to automated office work, from webpage beautification to data crawling, truly turning your browser into a productivity “tool”.
