Firefox Community Forum

With Firefox 144, there is unasked for/unwanted AI introduced. How do I ensure that all AI is completely disabled in my browser? I found a link describing some settings, but want to confirm this will disable ALL AI in the browser. I don't want it, don't trust the privacy/security holes yet to be found and would prefer it was not included in Firefox to begin with. The list I've found is:

• user_pref("browser.ml.chat.enabled", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.chat.menu", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.chat.page", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.chat.shortcuts", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.chat.sidebar", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.enable", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.linkPreview.enabled", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.linkPreview.optin", false);
• user_pref("browser.ml.modelHubRootUrl", "");

Will this do it? What about:

browser.ml.chat.nimbus

Do I need to clear that field to ensure I don't get some auto opt-in in the future as more and more of this "stuff" is put into the browser?

Why not leave Firefox as a security/privacy conscious browser and put out a separate AI browser (FirefoxML?) for those that are not as concerned. How does Mozilla ensure that no information is leaked through AI from sessions for professionals that must protect physician/patient, attorney/client information or other legally confidential information?

New installation of Debian 13, Firefox setup with sync on successful. However, I wanted to add hone button and a few other mods to the toolbar but when I started customize the toolbar from menu pic the customization page would not work, it appeared and seemed OK but when I dragged and dropped anything it would not work. I could pickup items but they would not place in toolbar and just snapped back to the pallet. I tried several different ways to enter the customization area but it was always non-functional.

I've found out that you can create custom prompts for the AI sidebar with the configuration `browser.ml.chat.prompts.*`. Usually, this is done with the selection text. However, I'd like to pass the URL instead. I could use `%url%`, but that does not include parameters after `?` and hence does not work for Youtube.

Is there any variable that I can use to pass the full URL including parameters of the URL?

The settings page is vaguely providing an option to turn off this feature. I don't care what you want to call it, be it AI/ML/chatbot, it's not related to browsing the internet and I don't want it. I don't want it to consume ANY resources of my computer, I don't want it to exist in my computer unless I EXPLICITLY use it, I don't want to be FORCED to go and search everything in about:config page to get it completely (probably) deactivated. Provide a button that DOES deactivate and hide (without running it in the background either) the whole AI/ML/chatbot integration. I don't want to use it, again, I don't want it being shoved in my face or my computer against my will. Firefox IS a web browser. Otherwise, let's stop making any kind of websites (eshops, newspapers, social media and other) since they will not be browsed by people that want to browse the web, since the web browser decided to put AI in front of everything to consume everyone's content and dictate their own design, alignments caused by bias disagreements etc etc.

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!

`StartupWMClass=firefox-aurora` in `/usr/share/applications/firefox-devedition.desktop`, with actually `firefox-dev` for opened windows.

Version: Ubuntu 25.04, GNOME 48, firefox-devedition 143.0b2.

Please forgive me if this question was already answered and that I might have accidentally overlooked that answer.

I'm running Firefox 144.0 (64-bit) under Debian 13 (linux).

I want to configure Firefox to never restore any previous session when it starts up, irrespective of how Firefox was last exited.

Even if a running Firefox session was externally killed via some sort of system command or because of a reboot, I never, never, never, never, never, never, never, NEVER (!!!) want it to restart in any previous session.

I ALWAYS (!!!) want Firefox to launch with its default start page, no matter what.

I tried all of the suggestions that I have found on line about how this might be accomplished, but with each one of them, there are cases where the previous session was restored.

I repeat, I do NOT (!!!) EVER (!!!) want the previous session to be restored, under any circumstances.

Is there a way to accomplish this?

Thank you in advance for any suggestions, and again, please accept my apology if this has been answered and I overlooked that answer.

When uploading files with Firefox, I click the upload button, and the file browser window appears to upload files.

For as long as I can remember, it always defaulted to the last folder location that I uploaded a file, but just a few days ago, it stopped working, and always defaults to my home folder.

How can I make the upload window pop up, default to the last uploaded location? My OS is Linux Mint Cinnamon.

On Firefox 128.14.0esr (build 20250811113756), Linux/X11, the setting browser.tabs.hoverPreview.enabled does change back to "true" every few days, or perhaps browser restarts.

How can I turn off tab previews reliably?

I have the AI link previews disabled in my Firefox settings, and they still pop up sometimes. When they do start popping up, they make the browser almost unusable. Please Firefox just get rid of this garbage or at least make it turn off when it's supposed to be off.

I do not want AI summary windows popping up, or previewing links, or any AI features in the browser. All AI should be opt in not opt out, yet here I am forced to dig through a config file instead of having an easily accessible setting.

And Mozilla management probably wonder why people dislike them. Hint: this sort of garbage.

I have tried disabling AI settings in about:config such as

• browser.ml.chat.enabled == False
• browser.ml.chat.menu == False
• browser.ml.chat.page == False

However I have continued to see an AI summary window, seemingly at random, sometimes with a long click and sometimes when mousing over text.

I want to be clear to whoever has implemented this; this is invasive, wasteful and frustrating.

I want a single option under settings to disable all AI features. Forcing this on users is a terrible idea and an excellent way to lose market share.

One of the websites I need for school requires pop-ups. I can't click on the button to permit pop-up windows for just that site because it only flashes for less than a second and it is grayed out. I tried to go to preferences to disable the pop-up blocker, but the checkbox to disable it is grayed out. I created a new profile, but the button to disable the pop-up blocker is grayed out on that too. I now have to use chrome for this website because I can allow pop-ups on that browser.

My question is why is this setting grayed out? And how can I re-enable pop-ups or at least edit the exception list because that is grayed out right now too. Any other tips for troubleshooting similar issues in the future would also be appreciated.

OS/Firefox packer: Artix Linux Firefox ver.: 142.0 (64-bit) Tested on brand new profile

I am using Debian Trixie with firefox 148 and I reported that the refresh option was missing from Firefox, https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1569549. I then noticed another workstation with the same version of FF that did not have the "refresh firefox" option.

It appears firefox has been changed. Some of the items have been changed including the profiles option to add color on creation.

How can the parameters of FF be changed ? See enclosed menu under help, "more trouble shooting information", you will see "refresh firefox" is missing from the top right.

Is it possibile to change horizontal or vertical size of the main firefox window using mouse? Now I am able to open only one size between the maximum and minimum. Why? Mary

I started using Claude in the side panel instead of a dedicated tab, but there is something noise about it: every time I click to open the side panel the chat starts from scratch. Getting a clean slate is nice, but it takes too much time loading. So I would like to not unload the content of the panel when I close it, just hide it, so when I click to open is already loaded. There is a way to do that?

Something called "safe space" just showed up in my firefox browser... I didn't want it, didn't ask for it!! PLEASE tell me HOW to get rid of it.... PLEASE!!!

Moderator note: This question has been edited to remove excessive new lines.