Copy a stable version's .desktop file and modify it to point to your dev build:

• cp /usr/share/applications/google-chrome.desktop ~/.local/share/applications/chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop
• vim ~/.local/share/applications/chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop
  • Change first Exec line in desktop entry: (change path to your dev setup)
    • Exec=/usr/local/google/home/scheib/c/src/out/Release/chrome %U

Set the default:

• xdg-settings set default-web-browser chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop

Launch, telling Chrome which config you're using:

• CHROME_DESKTOP=chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop out/Release/chrome
• Verify Chrome thinks it is default in about:settings page.
  • Press the button to make default if not.

Restore the normal default:

• xdg-settings set default-web-browser google-chrome.desktop

A single line to change the default, run, and restore:

• xdg-settings set default-web-browser chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop && CHROME_DESKTOP=chromium-mybuild-c-release.desktop out/Release/chrome; xdg-settings set default-web-browser google-chrome.desktop && echo Restored default browser.