Firefox Extension Packaging Guide

Prerequisites

1. Install web-ext CLI:

   cd extension-firefox
   npm install
   

2. Firefox Add-ons Account:
   • Create account at https://addons.mozilla.org/developers/
   • Generate API credentials at https://addons.mozilla.org/developers/addon/api/key/

Building

Development build:

npm run build

Production build (includes linting):

npm run build:prod

Validation:

npm run validate

Signing

Firefox requires all extensions to be signed for installation.

Listed Distribution (Firefox Add-ons Store)

1. Set up API credentials:

   # Windows (CMD)
   set WEB_EXT_API_KEY=your_api_key_here
   set WEB_EXT_API_SECRET=your_api_secret_here
   
   # PowerShell
   $env:WEB_EXT_API_KEY="your_api_key_here"
   $env:WEB_EXT_API_SECRET="your_api_secret_here"
   

2. Sign the extension:

   npm run sign
   

3. Mozilla will review (typically 1-3 days)

Unlisted Distribution (Self-Hosting)

npm run sign:unlisted

No review required, signed .xpi generated immediately.

Installation

Signed Extension

1. Download the signed .xpi file
2. Drag and drop into Firefox
3. Click “Add” when prompted

Unsigned (Development Only)

1. Firefox Developer Edition: about:config > set xpinstall.signatures.required to false
2. about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox > “Load Temporary Add-on”
3. Select the .xpi file

Distribution Checklist

• Update version in manifest.json and package.json
• Run npm run lint and fix errors
• Test extension in Firefox
• Prepare store listing (can reuse Chrome materials)
• Submit to Firefox Add-ons Developer Hub

Store Listing

• Extension Name: “Anchored - Notes & Highlights for Websites”
• Homepage: https://anchored.site
• Support email: support@anchored.site
• Privacy policy: https://anchored.site/privacy.html

Troubleshooting

• API credentials not found: Set WEB_EXT_API_KEY and WEB_EXT_API_SECRET environment variables
• Signing timeout: Increase timeout in web-ext-config.js
• Extension won’t install: Check Firefox version (109.0+ required)

Resources

• Mozilla Extension Workshop: https://extensionworkshop.com/
• web-ext Documentation: https://extensionworkshop.com/documentation/develop/web-ext-command-reference/
• Firefox Add-ons Policies: https://extensionworkshop.com/documentation/publish/add-on-policies/