Setting up the Shopping Buddy takes a couple of minutes: install the extension, sign in once, and open Instacart. New to the companion? Start with What is the Shopping Buddy?.
Before you start
- Use the Chrome browser on a computer.
- Have a VitalPlate account ready. If you haven’t set up your plan yet, see Setting up your health profile.
Step 1 — Install the extension
The Shopping Buddy is distributed as an unlisted Chrome Web Store item, so you won’t find it by searching the store. Use the install link provided by VitalPlate — it’s available in the app and on the VitalPlate website.
- 1Open the Shopping Buddy install link from VitalPlate (in the app, or on the VitalPlate website) in Chrome.
- 2On the Chrome Web Store page, select Add to Chrome.
- 3When Chrome asks you to confirm, choose Add extension.
- 4Optional: pin the extension so it’s easy to reach — select the puzzle-piece (Extensions) icon in Chrome’s toolbar, then the pin next to VitalPlate Shopping Buddy.
Step 2 — Sign in
- 1Select the VitalPlate Shopping Buddy icon in Chrome’s toolbar to open its popup.
- 2Enter the email address for your VitalPlate account and request a sign-in code.
- 3Check your email for the code and enter it in the popup. This is the same passwordless sign-in you use in the app — there’s no separate password.
- 4Once you’re signed in, the popup confirms your plan is connected and ready.
A VitalPlate account is required. Without signing in, the Shopping Buddy has no plan to check products against and can’t show verdicts.
Step 3 — Shop on Instacart
- 1Open Instacart in the same Chrome browser and shop the way you normally would.
- 2As products appear, the Shopping Buddy reads the visible names and marks any Avoid or Caution items for your plan.
- 3Use your VitalPlate shopping list shown beside the page — tap an item to drop it into Instacart’s search.
- 4Add what fits to your Instacart cart yourself. The Shopping Buddy never adds or changes cart items for you.
Verdicts only appear on Instacart and on VitalPlate’s own site — that’s the only place the Shopping Buddy runs. If you don’t see verdicts, make sure you’re on Instacart and signed in via the popup.
Curious exactly what the extension can read? See What the Shopping Buddy can and can’t see. Still stuck? Contact support and we’ll help.