How to redirect URL using Chrome Extension?

Redirecting URLs is a common need for developers, QA testers, and DevOps teams working across multiple environments like development, staging, and production. Whether you’re testing features, debugging, or ensuring seamless navigation, the ability to quickly swap environments without changing code or DNS is critical.

This guide shows you how to redirect URLs in your browser using the BrowserStack Requestly Chrome Extension, a secure, Manifest V3-compliant tool purpose-built for modern testing workflows.

What is a URL Redirect?

A URL redirect allows you to forward one web address to another. Common redirect types include:

• 301 (Permanent Redirect): Used for SEO and production-level changes.
• 302 (Temporary Redirect): Ideal for temporary URL changes during testing.
• JavaScript-based redirects: Often done client-side within browser scripts.

In a dev/test context, browser-based redirects are preferred because they don’t require changes in source code or server settings.

When do you need Environment Redirects?

Environment redirects are useful in the following situations:

• Switching between dev, staging, and prod URLs without editing host files or configs.
• Testing features or bug fixes in isolated environments.
• Redirecting specific endpoints or services during integration testing.
• Bypassing DNS propagation delays after new deployments.

Example: If your staging environment is at https://staging.example.com and your dev environment is https://dev.example.com, you can redirect one to the other temporarily for testing with a rule.

How does BrowserStack Requestly work for URL redirection?

BrowserStack Requestly is a browser extension and desktop application that equips developers with the ability to intercept and modify HTTP(s) requests and responses. Beyond its core functionality of manipulating network traffic, one of its standout features is the ability to change the HTTP request’s destination to a new URL as defined by a user-created rule.

Once configured, this redirection happens transparently, meaning the response is served from the new location as if it were the originally requested endpoint. This feature is especially useful for simulating production responses in development environments, rerouting staging requests, or debugging edge cases without altering backend systems.

Why choose BrowserStack Requestly Over Other Chrome Extensions?

Many legacy extensions like Resource Override no longer work due to Chrome’s Manifest V3 restrictions. BrowserStack Requestly is built for modern browser security requirements and offers:

• Visual, no-code rule creation
• Regex and wildcard support
• Manifest V3 compliance
• Cross-browser support (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)
• No need to modify system files or backend code

BrowserStack Requestly supports flexible features for multiple environments:

• Group rules by project or environment
• Enable/disable rules without deleting them
• Export and share rule sets with teammates

This makes it easy for teams to collaborate without version conflicts or manual setup.

Compared to archived or deprecated tools, Requestly is actively maintained and trusted by 250K+ developers worldwide.

How to Redirect a URL Using BrowserStack Requestly (Step-by-Step)

Redirecting URLs in the browser using BrowserStack Requestly takes just a few clicks. Here’s how to set up a redirect rule from start to finish, without writing a single line of code.

Step 1: Install the Extension

Install BrowserStack Requestly from the Chrome Web Store.

Step 2: Open Requestly and Create a Rule

1. Click the extension icon > “Open App”
2. Go to “New Rule” > “Redirect Rule”

Step 3: Define Source and Destination

• Source URL: e.g. https://staging.example.com/api/*
• Destination URL: e.g. https://dev.example.com/api/$1

This redirects any api/ call from staging to dev while maintaining the endpoint structure using wildcards.

Step 4: Save and Test

Turn on the rule and reload your application in the browser. All matching requests will now redirect accordingly.

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Advanced Redirect Use Cases

Beyond simple URL redirection, BrowserStack Requestly supports advanced patterns like wildcards, regex, and scoped API redirects, enabling greater control over testing workflows.

Wildcard Redirects

1. Redirect all assets from /static/* to a CDN:

Source: https://staging.example.com/static/*
 Dest: https://cdn.example.com/static/$1

Regex Redirects

2. Redirect only .json files:

• Source (regex): ^https:\/\/staging\.example\.com\/.*\.json$
• Destination: https://dev.example.com/$1

API Redirection

• Redirect API calls without affecting UI requests
• Combine with the Modify Headers rule to spoof environments securely

Best Practices for URL Redirection

Here are some of the best practices to follow for URL Redirection:

1. Use Temporary (302) Redirects for Testing

• Avoid permanent (301) redirects in dev/test environments.
• 302 ensures search engines don’t cache changes and makes testing reversible.

2. Avoid Chained Redirects

• Too many redirects (e.g., A → B → C → D) slow down performance and increase risk of failures.
• Always redirect directly to the final destination (A → D).

3. Match URL Patterns Precisely

• Use wildcards or regex only when needed.
• Overly broad patterns can cause unintentional redirection and test failures.

Example (specific):

 https://staging.example.com/api/* → https://dev.example.com/api/$1

4. Test Redirects in Incognito or Fresh Sessions

• Browser cache and cookies may interfere with redirects.
• Always test in incognito mode to avoid cached responses.

5. Log and Review Redirect Behavior

• Use tools like BrowserStack Requestly or browser dev tools (Network tab) to:
  • Check redirect paths
  • Confirm status codes
  • Ensure final destination is correct

6. Scope Redirects to Minimize Risk

• Create environment-specific rules rather than global ones.
• For example: redirect only /api/* rather than the whole domain.

7. Name Rules Clearly

• Use naming conventions like Redirect – Staging to Dev API to make management easier, especially when working in teams.

8. Disable Rules When Not Needed

• Keep rules disabled when inactive to prevent unintended side effects, especially when switching between projects.

9. Backup and Share Rule Sets

• Use export/import features in tools like Requestly to share consistent rules across teams or CI setups.

10. Review Redirect Impact on Security: Avoid redirecting from HTTP to HTTPS or between domains without understanding security headers like Content-Security-Policy, Referrer-Policy, and SameSite.

Conclusion

Manually switching environments is inefficient and error-prone. With BrowserStack Requestly, you can redirect URLs instantly, test across environments smoothly, and collaborate better with your team.

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FAQ

1. Can I redirect URLs without editing code?

Yes. BrowserStack Requestly allows you to define rules in the browser without touching the backend or frontend code. You can use it to view, modify, and even block redirect paths. It acts like a redirect path Chrome extension, showing you how each request is being routed and letting you take control.

2. Is it safe to use Requestly in production workflows?

Yes, it’s compliant with Manifest V3 and does not leak data outside your browser.

3. Does Requestly support regex or wildcard patterns?

Yes. You can use both to match dynamic URLs effectively.