Googler Features & 3rd-Party Cookies

When using the Perfetto UI, Googlers have access to internal features that extend the UI with Google-specific workflows, including:

• Internal macros — Pre-configured command sequences and queries for analyzing internal traces, available in the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P).
• Internal SQL modules — Shared PerfettoSQL modules packaged and served internally, accessible via INCLUDE PERFETTO MODULE.
• Proto descriptors — Automatic decoding of internal protobuf messages embedded in traces.
• Trace sharing — Internal trace uploading and sharing features integrated directly into the UI.

These features are provided by connecting to the internal Google extension server at https://perfetto-gae-internal.googleplex.com.

Why 3rd-Party Cookies Are Required

The Perfetto UI is hosted on https://ui.perfetto.dev, while the internal extension server is hosted on https://perfetto-gae-internal.googleplex.com. Because these origins have different domains, browser requests from the Perfetto UI to the extension server are cross-site (third-party) requests.

Authentication to the internal extension server relies on corporate single sign-on (SSO) session cookies. If your browser blocks 3rd-party cookies, these authentication cookies will not be sent, causing requests to fail with HTTP 403 or CORS errors. As a result:

1. The internal extension server cannot load its manifest, macros, or SQL modules.
2. The UI cannot verify your internal user status, disabling Googler-specific features such as internal trace sharing.

How to Enable 3rd-Party Cookies in Chrome

To enable access to internal features, you need to allow third-party cookies for the internal extension server.

Option 1: Add a Site Exception in Chrome Settings (Recommended)

You do not need to allow 3rd-party cookies globally. You can add specific site exceptions:

1. Open Chrome settings by navigating to chrome://settings/cookies or chrome://settings/trackingProtection (or go to Settings → Privacy and security → Third-party cookies / Tracking Protection).
2. Under Sites allowed to use third-party cookies (or Allowed to use third-party cookies), click Add.
3. Add https://ui.perfetto.dev and click Add.
4. Reload https://ui.perfetto.dev.

Option 2: Allow via the Chrome Address Bar

1. Navigate to https://ui.perfetto.dev.
2. Look for the eye icon (or the site controls icon next to the address bar) indicating blocked third-party cookies.
3. Click the icon and toggle Third-party cookies to Allowed for ui.perfetto.dev.
4. Reload the page when prompted.

Verifying Your Setup

Once 3rd-party cookies are enabled:

1. Open https://ui.perfetto.dev.
2. Open Settings (gear icon in the sidebar) and navigate to Extension Servers.
3. You should see the internal extension server listed as enabled, with available modules loaded (e.g. default).
4. Press Ctrl+Shift+P (or Cmd+Shift+P on Mac) to open the command palette. Google-internal macros should appear in the command list.
5. Internal trace sharing options will now be available when viewing traces.

Troubleshooting

• Server still shows an error: Navigate directly to https://perfetto-gae-internal.googleplex.com in a separate tab to ensure your SSO session is active, then reload https://ui.perfetto.dev.
• Still blocked on corp network/VPN: Ensure you are connected to the corporate network or VPN so that googleplex.com endpoints are reachable.
• See Extension Servers for more details on extension server mechanics and troubleshooting.