Firefox’s recent updates, packed with new features and functionality improvements, have significantly reduced the number of extensions I use. Here’s a look at how these changes transformed my browsing experience.
Embracing New Features and Improvements #
Firefox has long been my favorite browser, thanks to its extensive customization options. However, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Over the years, numerous bugs and frustrating issues have made me question Mozilla’s responsiveness. Despite these challenges, the pace of updates and fixes seemed to accelerate in the latter half of 2024. It felt like both Mozilla and the community were working tirelessly to improve Firefox.
Previously, I often switched between browsers like Safari, Edge, Chrome, Arc, or even alternative Firefox-based browsers like Floorp and Zen. Now, after a few months with the latest version of Firefox, I’m confident it can meet most of my needs without constant browser-hopping or keeping a comparison chart of features.
Features I’m Excited About #
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Vertical Tabs and Tab Groups
While the Sidebery extension offers more advanced features, Firefox’s native implementation covers my basic needs and feels more streamlined. -
iCloud Password Autofill
With the iCloud Passwords extension, I no longer have to right-click to “AutoFill” passwords manually (which was anything but “Auto”). This saves time and simplifies my workflow. -
Text Replacement
This feature should have been available years ago, but better late than never. Unfortunately, it’s currently broken in version 134. I’m hopeful for a fix soon. -
Command Line Interface (CLI) with Mozeidon
Although Firefox’s binary lacks interactive CLI support for open windows or tabs, the Mozeidon app bridges this gap, providing insights into browser stats and basic controls.
Features I’d Still Like to See #
- Native Split View
- Official PWA Support, again
Rediscovering Tridactyl #
Tridactyl is like having a mini operating system within Firefox. It’s incredibly powerful, but I stopped using it about six months ago because of a conflict with a crucial website. Thankfully, after installing the beta/nightly version recently, the issue resolved itself—perhaps due to updates in Tridactyl or the website.
While exploring its features, I discovered Tridactyl’s ability to toggle and open URLs in the sidebar programmatically. This was a game-changer! It works like a basic split view by opening pages in the sidebar, which you can resize manually. While it’s not as advanced as Edge’s native split view or Arc’s ability to open up to four tabs side-by-side, Tridactyl’s programmability adds unique functionality.
For example, I can:
- Duplicate the current page in the sidebar
- Open Raindrop.io or Twosapp without needing their extensions
- Bind commands to JavaScript for saving bookmarks or performing custom actions
This allowed me to uninstall several extensions, simplifying my setup.
Simplified Setup: Extensions I No Longer Need #
With the combined power of the latest Firefox and Tridactyl, I’ve cleaned up my extensions list. Here are the ones I removed:
- Sidebery
- Page Sidebar
- Raindrop.io
- Violentmonkey
What’s Left #
- uBlock Origin
- Tridactyl
- iCloud Passwords
Conclusion #
The recent updates to Firefox and Tridactyl have not only enhanced my browsing experience but also streamlined my workflow. With fewer extensions to manage, Firefox feels faster and more focused. I’m excited to see how Mozilla continues to improve this already fantastic browser.