Forum der Gemeinschaft Firefox

1. 1. 1. Setting Up Grok as an AI Chatbot in the Firefox Sidebar

Mozilla Firefox includes an experimental-turned-standard feature (introduced around version 131 and stabilized by version 133+) that allows users to integrate AI chatbots directly into the browser's sidebar for quick access while browsing. This provides a persistent chat interface without needing to switch tabs constantly. Natively, Firefox supports providers like ChatGPT (OpenAI), Gemini (Google), Claude (Anthropic), Le Chat (Mistral), and others through a dropdown selector. However, Grok (from xAI) is not included in the official list and must be added manually as a custom provider.

The screenshot you provided shows the standard Firefox "Proceed with Caution" warning when accessing `about:config` (the advanced preferences page), alongside an open tab at `https://grok.com/` displaying the SuperGrok interface. This strongly indicates the setup process for adding Grok via a custom configuration tweak, which loads the full Grok web app into the sidebar (essentially embedding `grok.com` in a framed view).

1. 1. 1. 1. Requirements and Context

- **Firefox Version**: Version 133 or later (as of early 2026, most users will have a newer version; check via Menu > Help > About Firefox). - **Account Needs**: You'll need an xAI/Grok account (free or SuperGrok/Premium+ subscription) for full access. Logging in within the sidebar will persist if cookies are allowed. - **Limitations**:

 - Only **one** chatbot can be active in the sidebar at a time.
 - Custom providers like Grok load the full web version, so interactions send data directly to xAI (no Mozilla intermediation, preserving Grok's native features like image generation, voice mode if available, or real-time search).
 - Performance may vary; the sidebar uses an embedded view, which could consume more resources than native integrations.
 - Privacy Implications: All queries go straight to the provider's servers. Review xAI's terms for data handling.
 - Persistence: The setting generally survives restarts, but closing/reopening the sidebar or browser resets might occasionally require re-login.

- **Nuances and Edge Cases**:

 - If you're on a free Grok plan, usage quotas apply (higher with SuperGrok).
 - Features like page summarization (highlight text > right-click > AI shortcuts) work if Grok supports context from the main tab.
 - Mobile Firefox does not support this sidebar feature.
 - If the sidebar doesn't appear after setup, ensure it's enabled in settings.

1. 1. 1. 1. Step-by-Step Setup Instructions

1. **Update Firefox (Recommended)**:

  - Go to Menu (three lines) > Help > About Firefox.
  - It will check for updates automatically; install any available.

2. **Access Advanced Preferences**:

  - In the address bar, type `about:config` and press Enter.
  - You'll see the "Proceed with Caution" warning (matching your screenshot).
  - Check the box for "Warn me when I attempt to access these preferences" if desired, then click **Accept the Risk and Continue**.

3. **Configure the Custom Provider for Grok**:

  - In the search bar at the top, type `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - If the preference exists, double-click it.
  - If it doesn't exist, click the "+" button to create a new string preference named `browser.ml.chat.provider`.
  - Set the value to: `https://grok.com/` (or `https://grok.x.ai/`—both typically work, but `grok.com` aligns with your screenshot and SuperGrok branding).
  - Click the checkmark or press Enter to save.

4. **Enable and Open the Sidebar**:

  - Go to Menu > Settings (or Preferences) > General tab.
  - Scroll to "Browser Layout" section.
  - Check **Show sidebar** if not already enabled.
  - Close settings.
  - Click the **Sidebar icon** in the toolbar (it looks like a panel; if missing, right-click toolbar > Customize Toolbar > drag it in).
  - In the sidebar, look for the **sparkle/AI chatbot icon** (or it may auto-load the chat interface).

5. **Access and Use Grok**:

  - The sidebar should now load Grok directly.
  - Log in to your xAI account if prompted (for full features like Grok 4 access or higher quotas).
  - Start chatting via the "Ask Grok" input at the bottom.
  - Optional shortcuts: Highlight text on a page > right-click > options like "Summarize," "Explain," etc. (Grok will process based on context).
  - To switch back to a native provider later: Return to `about:config`, clear or change the `browser.ml.chat.provider` value, then select from the dropdown in the sidebar.

1. 1. 1. 1. Troubleshooting and Alternatives

- **If Grok Doesn't Load**:

 - Clear the preference value and restart Firefox.
 - Ensure no extensions block iframes or cookies.
 - Try alternative URLs like `https://x.com/i/grok` if issues persist.

- **Reverting Changes**:

 - Set `browser.ml.chat.provider` to blank, or delete the preference.
 - Native options will reappear in the selector.

- **Alternatives if Native Setup Fails**:

 - **Extensions**: Search Firefox Add-ons for "Grok Sidebar" or similar (e.g., dedicated Grok integrations exist, often free).
 - **PWA Installation**: Visit `grok.com`, click the install icon in the address bar to add as a standalone app window.
 - **Other Browsers**: Edge/Chrome have similar sidebar AI features (e.g., Copilot or extensions) with easier Grok support.

- **Implications for Daily Use**:

 - Great for multitasking (e.g., ask Grok about a webpage without leaving it).
 - Enhances productivity but increases browser resource use.
 - As an experimental feature origin, it may evolve—Mozilla could add official Grok support in future updates.

This method provides the most integrated experience matching your screenshot. If you encounter issues or need clarification on a step, provide more details!

I have a local file I wish to view in firefox without starting a HTTP server (it's only docs for a crate I'm building) however Firefox is unable to open the file despite the file existing and having correct permissions. The file was in a separate mount (disk) to where Ffox is installed so I copied to to /tmp/ to remove that as a variable but still no joy..

➜ ~ file /tmp/index.html /tmp/index.html: HTML document, Unicode text, UTF-8 text, with very long lines (3556) ➜ ~ ls -la /tmp/index.html -rwxr-xr-x 1 ben ben 4208 Dec 30 14:04 /tmp/index.html

Am I missing some new setting which allows local file browsing using the good old 'file:///' protocol?

Thanks, Ben

OS Info: PRETTY_NAME="Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS" NAME="Ubuntu" VERSION="24.04.3 LTS (Noble Numbat)" VERSION_CODENAME=noble

F/Fox version: 146.0.1 (64-bit)

Firefox’s built-in translation feature actively gets in the user’s way.

When translation is actually needed, it often does not offer the translation function at all.

Google sometimes links to Reddit pages that have been automatically translated into Korean by AI.

https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/1om0x4d/reddit_on_firefox_is_just_straight_up_broken/?tl=ko

That specific page appears in Korean, but when you go back to the Reddit homepage, it appears in English.

However, Firefox’s built-in translator still recognizes the site as a Korean website.

Even though all the page content is in English, the translator incorrectly offers the option “Korean → English” instead of the correct direction.

There needs to be a shortcut or option that always translates “English → Korean” when the user wants it.

Firefox should not decide when to translate or which language to translate. That choice should belong to the user.

Additionally, a dedicated keyboard shortcut for translation is needed.

I used the built-in translator for a while, but the inconvenience became so significant that I gave up and reinstalled a translation add-on.

Is this the right place to post this suggestion?

I have a drop-down list on a website of things I regularly search for, but alas, some of them contain typos and I'd like to be able to re-order them. How can I do this on Firefox 146.0 (64 bit) under Linux?

Starting for last few updates (on the last month) each time I hold my mouse click button for a few seconds on any page I am greeted with this popup: (see attached)

Main question: How do i disable this popup?

Second, what is the feature even about? why is it a feature? and what is the point of it?

About: Firefox 146.0.1 (64-bit) - FF for Arch linux

Good day,

I'd like to start by thanking the Mozilla Firefox dev team for the newest iteration of the profiles feature. I think it's great.

One area where I think it could use improvement from usability perspective is a way to launch a specific profile via the right-click menu when using the taskbar icon. Currently, using the "Choose a profile when Firefox opens" only gives users the option to select the profile on the initial launch of Firefox. After that if the user opens a new window via the taskbar, the most recently opened profile is automatically chosen.

I managed to find a "hack" to add the requested capability. It seems adding an action to the "firefox.desktop" file in the "/usr/share/applications/" directory works the way I'd like it to.

Modifications to "firefox.desktop" Changed line 12 to: Actions=choose-profile;new-window;new-private-window;open-profile-manager; Added lines 529 - 534 (before Desktop Action new-window): [Desktop Action choose-profile] Exec=firefox --new-instance Name=Choose Profile Name[en_US]=Choose Profile Name[en_CA]=Choose Profile Name[en_GB]=Choose Profile

The end result is a new option available when right clicking the taskbar that opens the new profile selector. Screencaps of options before and after attached. I imagine that users will need to have the "Choose a profile when Firefox opens" enabled for this to work as expected, but would like someone from Mozilla to confirm this.

Would like to request that this option be built into Firefox going forward, so there's no need for users to "tweak" it to get this functionality.

Firefox is diverting known safe sites stating they are dangerous and then redirects to http://147.45.69.3/ which in turns send you to other sites. It also happens in Chrome so they must use the same system. The sites are totally safe I use them all the time but lately get redirected and it is getting very annoying

I use Firefox every day at home and at work, and I really need to separate different content across many profiles between devices. Can I access the features of the new profile manager please?

Hello! See the screenshot please: so, I downloaded à pay-bill, with Firefox (under ubuntu), in private navigation, and I get the file with a padlock-symbol at the end. What means that? What means that for me (on my computer), what means that for à friend, when I sent him the pdt-file (can he open it?). Nota: I understood that I can choose between "delete downloads when closing the privat window" or not. And I choosed not to delete them (but there appears this padlock-symbol). Thanks for your help! Michael from France

When I try to log into Tangerine bank I get the error. "We're sorry for the inconvenience. This function is currently unavailable. Please try again later."

This issue started Oct-13-2025 and it appears to work when using Firefox ESR 146.01 but not the regular Firefox 146.01 versions. Tangerine is not giving me information on the error and I was wondering if there is a difference between the ESR and regular version that might clear up this issue?

I have been experiencing issues of extreme CPU consumption.

When I look at Task Manager, I see tabs consuming resources - tabs I have closed.

See attached open tabs screen shot, and task manager screen shot. The Register (tech website) is clearly consuming CPU and memory, even though I closed that tab yesterday. WTF is going on?

Linux Mint 22.1 Cinnamon Cinnamon 6.8.0-90-generic

Firefox is installed from the package manager, not as a flatpack.

Extensions: Privacy Badger, and uBlock Origin are installed and active on most tabs. (YouTube has become temperamental about privacy extensions, and a few other Google-related sites as well) CookieAutoDelete - though that just deletes cookies/sites data some seconds after a tab is closed.

The Register example is just for reference. The service that seems to consume large quantities of CPU, even after I close all related tabs is YouTube. It has on occasion made the system crash.

I have an issue where my firefox freezes whenever I try to take certain actions inside home assistants music assistant. I have created the following profiler of the issue https://share.firefox.dev/4pPZRPo

I have tried all the recommended settings to mitigate these kinds of problems (remove hardware acceleration, set disable all addons). I don't know where to report this exactly, but I'm hoping someone might be able to see something from the profiler that could illuminate what exactly is going wrong?

Notably this issue does not happen in firefox private mode.