Firefox Community Forum

I am very disappointed with the recent news from Firefox's new CEO to evolve into an AI browser. I specifically have been using Firefox to avoid AI generated results like those in Google/Bing. Firefox is losing its reputation as a trustworthy, user-first browser. I will stop using Firefox if/when these AI features are added.

Please remove and do not add any AI/ML features to Firefox, it's the only mainstream browser of this kind left, i was planning on buying some merch but I don't think this company deserves my money if it tries to make cash off me in an insidious way either way

I have Firefox 149 and the new Firefox VPN feature appeared with a VPN toolbar button.

I try keeping a very minimalist toolbar, but if I remove the VPN button from the toolbar, then I could not find any menu or setting item to switch the VPN on/off. The VPN section in the Settings only allows feature configuration but not switching the VPN on/off.

Do I miss something obvious, or did the Firefox developer miss something obvious?

I've been doing free advertising for Firefox for years, successfully convincing friends, family and coworkers to reject chromium browsers and make the difficult choice to switch browsers and get use to a new interface on Firefox. I know most people like me are able to do this by touting that Firefox actually cares about keeping your data private and allowing users to opt in to many "features" that chromium browsers have you opt out of. Unfortunately with the recent inclusion of AI settings that have been turned on by default and hidden under layers of setting menus, it looks like Firefox is turning to the same tactics we came here to escape. If this trend coninues, I won't be able to in good concious recommend this browser to others, and might as well just switch back to chrome which more websites have better support for. I hope the company makes the right decision and keeps AI out of Firefox

As a loyal and long time user of Firefox [since 1998 yes 1998 ,,,] if you or i cant remove google from my browser , i might have to find a replacement, that will allow me to remove this nonsense , i await your response ATB BlackSam

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 am so frustrated and disappointed with the current direction that Mozilla is talking with Firefox and AI Integration. I have used Firefox for years and have financially supported Mozilla in the past. For the time being, I am sticking with Firefox because the Al integrations can currently be turned off. I believe these options should be opt-in NOT opt -out. I feel loyal and dedicated to Mozilla's valves of privacy and a free-internet. But I will not think twice about jumping ship to another browser if Mozilla continues on this path of full-throated support and opt-out AI integration into Firefox. And I refuse to continue my financial support of the Mozilla foundation while this is the current direction of Mozilla leadership. I sincerely hope leadership will take the feedback of the community seriously and alter the current direction for the browser.

See https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/how-do-i-turn-do-not-track-feature :

> Many sites do not respect this indication of a person's privacy preferences and, in some cases, it can reduce privacy.

This really hurts to see from Mozilla.

You could have linked to Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Do_Not_Track

Why did this policy change? I am aware of GPC: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/global-privacy-control

When I dye my hair in 5 colors, I'm aware that can reduce my privacy. I'm not trying to fit in. I'm trying to make a statement. To put a flag in the ground! Like your logo!

If you are going to make this sort of decision again, can you

• please*

not tell me it's for my own good because of privacy?

Can you just say the policy was changed next time? No elaboration is fine.

Please!

For Valentine's Day I would love it if Mozilla could let me set the DNT bit to 1 again. I would love you so much. I still do.

<3

I have a Ruby on Rails app and whenever I click on a button in it that submits a POST request, instead of redirecting back, it sends me to a GET of the POST request. For example I am at /a, I make a POST request to /a/b, instead of redirecting back to /a, it sends me to /a/b which returns a 404 as there is only a POST defined at this route. I have tested this same site in Chromium and the redirects work properly, returning me back to /a

OS: Linux Recently, firefox has been annoying me with not closing a tab when I click the X like normal. I have to right click and close it, or press ctrl w. I am unable to move tabs around, as well. I am not sure since when this next bit has been happening, but I am also unable to interact with many elements of the top bar. The only thing of the firefox ui besides the websites themselves that let me interact with them at the moment is the home button, the new tab button, bookmarked sites, and that box icon on the left corner that lets you look at previously closed tabs. My Firefox's version should around, I believe it is 140.5.0 ESR. Thank you in advance. Update: Upon a restart of firefox, it appears to be working again as normal.. However, the bit with tabs not closing when the X is clicked and not being able to move tabs around has been happening multiple previous times, and it may come back. Update again: The issue does come back after some usage. I'm using KDE plasma with Wayland. I will try what the answer asked, and come back later. Update: This seems to happen very randomly and is not reproducible for me.. It will go a few days being fine, then randomly freeze again. Has not happened under another user, at least not yet.