// Technical SEO
Web App Manifest Guide: Add to Home Screen and PWA Setup
How to create a web app manifest, what fields matter, and how it enables 'Add to Home Screen' and Progressive Web App features.
What the web app manifest does
The web app manifest (manifest.json) is a JSON file that tells browsers how to display your site when installed as an app — controlling the icon, the name shown under the icon, splash screen color, and whether the app opens in a standalone window.
Without a manifest, your site can be added to the home screen but gets a default treatment — usually a screenshot of the page rather than a proper icon.
Required manifest fields
Minimum viable: name, short_name, icons (at least 192×192 and 512×512 PNG), start_url, and display ('standalone' removes browser chrome for an app-like feel).
Link from HTML head: <link rel='manifest' href='/manifest.json'>. Must be served with Content-Type: application/manifest+json.
- name: full application name (shown in install prompt)
- short_name: abbreviated name for home screen icon label
- icons: array with 192×192 and 512×512 PNG at minimum
- start_url: URL that opens when installed app launches
- display: 'standalone' or 'browser'
- theme_color: color for browser UI elements
Checking your manifest
Chrome DevTools > Application > Manifest shows your parsed manifest and any validation errors. Common issues: icons not found, incorrect MIME types, missing required fields, and start_url returning a non-200 response.
WebEnture's Favicon & Web App Agent automatically validates your manifest, checks all icon URLs, and reports issues with a clear fix recommendation for each.