Manifest

The web app manifest is the JSON file that turns a website into an installable app. It declares the app’s identity (name, icons, theme), its installation boundary (scope), how it renders once launched (display), and the OS integration points — shortcuts, share_target, and protocol handlers — that make a PWA feel native.

Every member here is a single, source-backed reference page: what it does, how browsers and platforms treat it, and how to set it for your product.

In this section

Manifest scopeThe fenced boundary of your installed app — in-scope vs out-of-scope, share_target, shortcuts, and start_url.

Display modesstandalone, fullscreen, minimal-ui, browser — the fallback chain and display_override.

name and short_nameThe full and abbreviated label for install prompts, home-screen icons, app switchers, and OS launchers.

start_urlThe entry-point URL your PWA loads on launch — scope constraints, UTM tracking, and deep-link handling.

Icons and maskable iconsThe icon array for home screens, splash screens, and taskbars — including maskable icons for Android shaped icons.

ShortcutsQuick-action jump-list entries in the OS long-press and right-click context menu.

share_targetRegister your PWA in the OS native share sheet to receive shared URLs, text, and files from other apps.

ScreenshotsPromotional images for richer install dialogs — scrollable carousel and form_factor guidance.

theme_color and background_colorTint the browser chrome and splash screen to match your brand — dark mode, meta tag interaction, and platform notes.

scope_extensionsExtend a PWA's scope across origins with the experimental scope_extensions member and its web-app-origin-association handshake.

Tabbed application modeThe experimental tabbed display_override value and the tab_strip member's home_tab and new_tab_button.

Planned topics

Reserved in the coverage matrix and filled in over time:

• Localization (lang, dir, translations)

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