Add-ons/Firefox57
< Add-ons
This document is to clarify on the myriad of choices for loading extensions in Firefox and what will happen in Firefox 57. There is a bug for this. This document expands it.
The main goal is prevent the running of legacy add-ons in Firefox Desktop release. None of the above applies to Android until we feel confident in the APIs available and apply similar changes to Android.
Reference: list of add-on types
Compat. Table
This is what things will look like when Firefox 57 hits release.
| Type | Status | Nightly, Aurora | Beta, Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| WebExtension | Signed by AMO | YES | YES |
| Signed as system | YES | YES | |
| Unsigned | YES with pref | NO | |
| Unsigned loaded temporarily | YES | YES | |
| Legacy Extension (bootstrapped, overlay, XUL etc) | Signed by AMO | YES with pref | NO |
| Signed as system | YES with pref | YES | |
| Unsigned | YES with pref | NO | |
| Unsigned loaded temporarily | YES | NO | |
| WebExtension Experiment | Signed by AMO | YES | NO |
| Signed as system | YES | YES | |
| Unsigned | YES with pref | NO | |
| Unsigned loaded temporarily | YES | NO | |
| New style static theme | Signed by AMO | YES | YES |
| Signed as system | YES | YES | |
| Unsigned | YES | YES | |
| Unsigned loaded temporarily | YES | YES | |
| Telemetry Experiments | Signed by AMO | YES | YES |
| Signed as system | YES | YES | |
| Unsigned | YES with pref | YES | |
| Unsigned loaded temporarily | YES | YES | |
| Legacy lightweight theme | Signed by AMO | YES | YES |
| Complete Themes | Any combination | NO | NO |
| Multiple item package | Any combination | NO | NO |
| Language Pack | Any combination | YES | YES |
| Dictionaries | Any combination | YES | YES |
Notes
- Nightly and Aurora will need to flip prefs
- For unsigned the appropriate signing pref must be flipped.
- For legacy add-ons the appropriate pref must be flipped.
- Both of these will default to false.
- AMO will stop signing legacy add-ons for version of Firefox greater than 57, but old signed add-ons will remain around.
- "Signed as system" refers to add-ons signed internally and might include Test Pilot, Shield and other add-ons.
- If we support loading unsigned temporarily, it’s assumed we load signed temporarily too.