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Guide · Open source

How to use Workbox: caching and offline support for PWAs

Updated · written with AI from the project's own documentation and checked against our catalogue data

Workbox is a collection of JavaScript libraries for Progressive Web Apps, which are websites that can work offline and load quickly. This guide explains what Workbox provides, how to get the project, and when it is the right tool. After reading it, you will know whether Workbox fits your website and where to find the full getting-started documentation.

WorkboxGoogleChrome/workbox · ★ 13k · MIT

Quick start

  1. 1Decide if you need offline support. Confirm your site needs to work offline or load quickly. A simple static site without offline needs does not need Workbox.
  2. 2Clone the repository. Run the clone command from the README to get the source locally.
  3. 3Read the overview. Open the Workbox overview in the official documentation to understand the libraries and strategies available.
  4. 4Follow the get-started guide. Work through the get-started page to add Workbox to your project's service worker.
  5. 5Choose caching strategies. Pick prebuilt strategies for each type of asset instead of writing custom caching code.
  6. 6Check the contributing guide if needed. If you plan to change Workbox itself, read CONTRIBUTING.md for environment setup and requirements before filing pull requests.

What Workbox does

Workbox offers tools and strategies for caching and serving web assets, and for managing service workers that handle offline scenarios. It simplifies common caching patterns so you do not have to write that logic from scratch.

Workbox was originally developed by members of Chrome's developer relations team. According to the README, Chrome's Aurora team is now the new owner of the project.

  • Caching and serving web assets
  • Managing service workers
  • Handling offline scenarios
  • Prebuilt caching strategies instead of custom service worker code

Check whether you need Workbox

Workbox is aimed at web developers building Progressive Web Apps, and at teams that want offline support for an existing website. It is a code library, not an end-user app, so you need to be comfortable writing and building JavaScript.

If you only need a simple static website with no offline needs, Workbox adds setup complexity you do not need.

  • Good fit: building a PWA, adding offline support to an existing site, wanting prebuilt caching strategies
  • Poor fit: a simple static site with no offline needs, or non-developers looking for an end-user app

Get the Workbox source

The README's install instruction is to clone the repository. The source lists package-manager as the install method and does not list any prerequisites. For setup details, the README points to the official getting-started guide, and to CONTRIBUTING.md for setting up a development environment if you plan to contribute.

git clone https://github.com/GoogleChrome/workbox

Learn the getting-started path

The README links to three resources: an overview, a get-started page, and a contributing guide. Start with the get-started page in the official documentation to learn how to wire Workbox into your site's service worker.

Read the documentation before writing your own caching rules, so you can pick the strategy that matches each kind of asset.

  • Overview: developer.chrome.com/docs/workbox/
  • Get started: developer.chrome.com/docs/workbox/what-is-workbox
  • Contribute: CONTRIBUTING.md in the repository

What people use it for

  • Adding offline support to an existing website
  • Building a Progressive Web App that loads quickly
  • Caching and serving web assets with prebuilt strategies
  • Managing service workers for offline scenarios

Frequently asked questions

What is Workbox used for?

Workbox is a collection of JavaScript libraries for Progressive Web Apps. It provides tools and strategies for caching and serving web assets and for managing service workers that handle offline scenarios.

Is Workbox free?

Yes, the project is MIT licensed. The README says MIT, and the LICENSE file in the repository has the full details.

What are the requirements for Workbox?

The source does not list any prerequisites. It is a JavaScript library for web developers, so you will need to be able to work with JavaScript and build a site.

How do I install Workbox?

The README's install instruction is to clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/GoogleChrome/workbox. The source lists package-manager as the install method, and the official documentation covers setup in more detail.

Is Workbox a good choice for a simple website?

Usually not. Workbox is meant for Progressive Web Apps and sites that need offline support. For a simple static website with no offline needs, the setup adds complexity without a clear benefit.

Does Workbox have alternatives?

Our analysis lists no comparable projects. The main alternative mentioned in the source is writing your own service worker caching code, which Workbox is designed to replace.

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Our verdict

Workbox is a good choice for web developers building Progressive Web Apps or adding offline support to an existing site who want prebuilt caching strategies. It is not worth the setup for a simple static site with no offline needs, and it is not an end-user app for non-developers.

Install options & downloads