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webextension

Mozilla has overhauled the underlying technology for Firefox add-ons with a new standard, using WebExtensions APIs, to keep them compatible.

[[Find and install add-ons to add features to Firefox|Add-ons]] allow you to add extra features and functionality to Firefox, modify the Firefox user interface and change its appearance. <!--https://developer.mozilla.org/Add-ons -->There are several types of add-ons but extensions are the most common. Anyone can create an extension and make it available for download. =What's happening?= In the past, add-ons often stopped working each time a new version of Firefox was released, because developers had to update them every six weeks to keep them compatible. Since add-ons could also modify Firefox internal code directly, it was possible for bad actors to include malicious code in an innocent-looking add-on. To address these issues, and as part of broader efforts to [https://blog.nightly.mozilla.org/ modernize Firefox] as a whole, we’ve been [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/ transitioning] to a new framework for developing Firefox extensions. Outside of rare instances, add-ons created with the new standard, called [https://developer.mozilla.org/Add-ons/WebExtensions/What_are_WebExtensions WebExtensions], won’t break in new Firefox releases. You can still personalize Firefox with add-ons the same way you do now, except they won’t break in new Firefox releases. {note}'''Note:''' Starting in Firefox 57, which will be released in November 2017, only add-ons built with this new technology will work in Firefox. These are indicated by the "Compatible with Firefox 57+" label on addons.mozilla.org (AMO). Add-ons built with the old technology are labeled "Legacy" in the Add-ons Manager (about:addons) tab. If an add-on does not have the "Compatible with 57+" label or has the "Legacy" label, the developer may be in the process of transitioning to the new technology. We are aware that certain add-ons will not be transitioning to the new standard; we will continue to assist developers to the fullest possible extent. As we get closer to November, we will suggest suitable replacements of add-ons not making the transition. If you are a user of Firefox Nightly, please note that Firefox 57 reached the [https://www.mozilla.org/firefox/nightly/all/ Nightly channel] on August 2, 2017. Legacy add-ons will be disabled, but will be enabled again if the developer releases a compatible update. In the meantime, you can check if an add-on is [http://arewewebextensionsyet.com/#addons planned for migration] (popular add-ons only), [https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/t/favorite-webextensions/17087/3 look for alternatives] or reach out to the developer to inquire if they will migrate their add-on. You may find developer contact information on the right side of the add-on listing on AMO. {/note} '''We recommend that you install add-ons with the "Compatible with Firefox 57+" label to ensure compatibility with Firefox beyond November 2017.''' *For frequently asked questions, see [[Frequently asked questions - Firefox add-on technology is modernizing]]. *If you are the developer of a legacy add-on, [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Add-ons/developer/communication resources are available] to help you migrate to the new standard.