__TOC__ = What is an add-on? = Add-ons are extensions and other additions that add new functionality to Thunderbird or change its appearance. Thunderbird has an open, extensible design and program architecture. This enables people to create "[http://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/thunderbird/ add-ons]" to Thunderbird. = Who creates add-ons? = Add-ons are mostly created by Mozilla volunteers, not Mozilla staff members (although some staffers write add-ons in their spare time). In general, though, Mozilla is generally not directly involved in the development of add-ons. Also, while Mozilla hosts a site where developers can distribute their add-ons, and while Mozilla reviews the add-ons that are distributed through that site, Mozilla is not responsible for supporting add-ons. If you need help with an add-on, you should contact the add-on's author. = Where do I get add-ons? = Most Thunderbird add-ons are distributed via the [http://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/ Mozilla add-ons site] (although authors can distribute their add-ons any way they choose). You can search and browse the add-ons site via a web browser. Alternatively, you can use the Thunderbird interface (select the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] > {menu Addons} or {menu Tools > Add-ons}) to browse add-ons. = How do I install an add-on? = There are two ways you may install add-ons: from within Thunderbird and from outside Thunderbird. == Installing add-ons downloaded from outside Thunderbird (e.g. using a web browser like Firefox) == # Download the add-on to your computer, unless you already have it saved. #* A source of add-ons is Mozilla's [https://addons.mozilla.org/thunderbird/ Add-ons website]. # In Thunderbird, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons}, or select {menu Tools > Add-ons}. # Click the gear icon at the top-right corner to the left of the search box and then select {menu Install Add-on From File…} # Browse to the location of the add-on installation file, select it, and click {button Open}. # Click {button Install Now} once the button is available. #* Add-ons that are from https://addons.mozilla.org/ are reviewed by Mozilla. #* If the author is verified, the author name will be displayed. # Restart Thunderbird to complete your changes. == Installing add-ons from within Thunderbird == # Click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons}, or select {menu Tools > Add-ons}. # Click {menu Get Add-ons}. # Type the name or keywords of the add-on you want in the search field and click the magnifier icon (or press {for mac}{key Return}{/for}{for win,linux}{key Enter}{/for}). # Select the desired add-on from the results list. # Click {button Install}. #* Add-ons that are from https://addons.mozilla.org/ are reviewed by Mozilla. #* If the author is verified, the author name will be displayed. # Restart Thunderbird to complete your changes. = How do I configure add-ons? = Not all add-ons have configurable options. When they do, it is up to the add-on developer to decide how users should access these options. Often developers will make an option for their add-on under Thunderbird's {menu Tools} menu. Refer to the add-on's instructions or documentation, which are probably on the page from which you downloaded the add-on. = What if my add-on is broken? = Contact the add-on developer for support. = How do I see which add-ons are installed? = To see which add-ons have already been installed in Thunderbird, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons}, or select {menu Tools > Add-ons} from the menu. Installed add-ons are displayed in the {menu Extensions}, {menu Appearance} and {menu Plugins} panels. = How do I update an add-on? = To see if an update is available for an add-on, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons} or select {menu Tools > Add-ons} from the menu and then check the {menu Extensions}, {menu Appearance} and {menu Plugins} panels. If an update is available, it will be noted in the add-on listing. You can also force Thunderbird to check for updates. Click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons}, or select {menu Tools > Add-ons} from the menu. In each of the {menu Extensions}, {menu Appearance} and {menu Plugins} panels, you can click the gear icon in the top right corner and select {menu Check for Updates}. = How do I disable or uninstall an add-on? = # In Thunderbird, click the menu button [[Image:New Fx Menu]] and click {menu Add-ons}, or select {menu Tools > Add-ons}. # Select your add-on from either the {menu Extensions}, {menu Appearance} or {menu Plugins} panel. # Click {button Disable} to prevent the add-on from loading (without deleting the add-on). Alternatively, click {button Remove} to completely remove the add-on from your system. # Restart Thunderbird. = How do I create/develop an add-on? = You may find information on Add-on development on Mozilla Developer Network's (MDN) [https://developer.mozilla.org/Add-ons Extensions Page]. MDN has a guide on [https://developer.mozilla.org/Add-ons/Creating_Custom_Firefox_Extensions_with_the_Mozilla_Build_System Extensions Development].

What is an add-on?

Add-ons are extensions and other additions that add new functionality to Thunderbird or change its appearance. Thunderbird has an open, extensible design and program architecture. This enables people to create "add-ons" to Thunderbird.

Who creates add-ons?

Add-ons are mostly created by Mozilla volunteers, not Mozilla staff members (although some staffers write add-ons in their spare time). In general, though, Mozilla is generally not directly involved in the development of add-ons. Also, while Mozilla hosts a site where developers can distribute their add-ons, and while Mozilla reviews the add-ons that are distributed through that site, Mozilla is not responsible for supporting add-ons. If you need help with an add-on, you should contact the add-on's author.

Where do I get add-ons?

Most Thunderbird add-ons are distributed via the Mozilla add-ons site (although authors can distribute their add-ons any way they choose). You can search and browse the add-ons site via a web browser. Alternatively, you can use the Thunderbird interface (select the menu button > Addons or Tools > Add-ons) to browse add-ons.

How do I install an add-on?

There are two ways you may install add-ons: from within Thunderbird and from outside Thunderbird.

Installing add-ons downloaded from outside Thunderbird (e.g. using a web browser like Firefox)

1. Download the add-on to your computer, unless you already have it saved.
   • A source of add-ons is Mozilla's Add-ons website.
2. In Thunderbird, click the menu button and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons.
3. Click the gear icon at the top-right corner to the left of the search box and then select Install Add-on From File…
4. Browse to the location of the add-on installation file, select it, and click Open.
5. Click Install Now once the button is available.
   • Add-ons that are from https://addons.mozilla.org/ are reviewed by Mozilla.
   • If the author is verified, the author name will be displayed.
6. Restart Thunderbird to complete your changes.

Installing add-ons from within Thunderbird

1. Click the menu button and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons.
2. Click Get Add-ons.
3. Type the name or keywords of the add-on you want in the search field and click the magnifier icon (or press ReturnEnter).
4. Select the desired add-on from the results list.
5. Click Install.
   • Add-ons that are from https://addons.mozilla.org/ are reviewed by Mozilla.
   • If the author is verified, the author name will be displayed.
6. Restart Thunderbird to complete your changes.

How do I configure add-ons?

Not all add-ons have configurable options. When they do, it is up to the add-on developer to decide how users should access these options. Often developers will make an option for their add-on under Thunderbird's Tools menu. Refer to the add-on's instructions or documentation, which are probably on the page from which you downloaded the add-on.

What if my add-on is broken?

Contact the add-on developer for support.

How do I see which add-ons are installed?

To see which add-ons have already been installed in Thunderbird, click the menu button and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons from the menu. Installed add-ons are displayed in the Extensions, Appearance and Plugins panels.

How do I update an add-on?

To see if an update is available for an add-on, click the menu button and click Add-ons or select Tools > Add-ons from the menu and then check the Extensions, Appearance and Plugins panels. If an update is available, it will be noted in the add-on listing.

You can also force Thunderbird to check for updates. Click the menu button and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons from the menu. In each of the Extensions, Appearance and Plugins panels, you can click the gear icon in the top right corner and select Check for Updates.

How do I disable or uninstall an add-on?

1. In Thunderbird, click the menu button and click Add-ons, or select Tools > Add-ons.
2. Select your add-on from either the Extensions, Appearance or Plugins panel.
3. Click Disable to prevent the add-on from loading (without deleting the add-on). Alternatively, click Remove to completely remove the add-on from your system.
4. Restart Thunderbird.

How do I create/develop an add-on?

You may find information on Add-on development on Mozilla Developer Network's (MDN) Extensions Page. MDN has a guide on Extensions Development.