Getting Started with User Scripts

A User Script is a locally installed script in your web browser that applies JavaScript and CSS customizations to a specific website while you are visiting the website. Here are a few example use cases:

  1. Add Functionality, such as a “Download List to CSV” button that loops through a list on the web page and generates a CSV file.
  2. Remove Functionality, such as hiding links or buttons you never intend to use to help de-clutter a web interface.
  3. Fix Design Issues, such as the position or color of an element on the page that might be bothering you.

User Scripts can be run in any web browser by installing a User Script browser extension. Here are a few example User Script extensions for some of the more popular web browsers:

  1. Safari – Userscripts
  2. Firefox – Violentmonkey
  3. Brave – Violentmonkey
  4. Chrome – Violentmonkey
  5. Edge – Violentmonkey

PRO TIP: If you have access to a WebDAV file sharing folder that supports BASIC authentication, Violentmonkey can sync your User Scripts settings across multiple browsers. Unfortunately, Violentmonkey does not currently support WebDAV DIGEST authentication.

Getting Started with Userscripts Extension on Safari

I’ve provided a few example scripts you can use to suppress extra menus and buttons on several financial websites. Here are step-by-step instructions to install these scripts.

  1. Install the Userscripts browser extension for Safari
  2. Enable the extension
    1. Go to the Safari drop-down menu and select Preferences
    2. When the Preferences window appears, go to the Extensions tab
    3. Make sure the “Userscripts” extension is enabled. The check box next to the extension name should be checked.
  3. Click the “Userscripts” icon on your Safari browser bar. The icon will look similar to this: “</>
  4. You should see a window with a “Search and Filter” text box, Gear icon, and Plus icon in the upper-left corner
  5. Click the Plus icon and choose “New Javascript”. You should see a new JS User Script in the left-hand list and a new User Script template in the right-hand content area.
  6. Download a Sample Script, open the text file, and copy/paste the code into the right-hand content area, replacing the sample template code. Repeat for each User Script you’d like to try. You can install multiple User Scripts.
    1. Minimal QBO – Minimal interface for Intuit QuickBooks Online
    2. Minimal Mint – Minimal interface for Intuit Mint
  7. Use the toggle in the left-hand list to enable/disable individual User Scripts
  8. Browse to the website and enjoy the User Script customizations!