topic Re: Firefox Extensions - Permanent install option for debug extensions? in Discussions

Firefox Extensions - Permanent install option for debug extensions?

lejade — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 13:11:49 GMT

Hello folks! I am a user of Waterfox (fork of Firefox) who desires to run custom extensions (for example, an extension I made that improves UI/UX of my school website)

It works perfectly fine on Chromium, and so does on Firefox.

The problem is that I cannot permanently install the debug extension, because I would need to package it, which in itself would require me to hand out some of my information, which I do not like and feel like it should not be mandatory for running my own code for my browser

If something went wrong with it, or I wanted to add something to it, it would simply be a hassle to package it again and wait for approval

Chromium allows permanently installing unpacked extensions, so why not allow that in Firefox too?

This change could help independent extension distribution

Thank you for your time, hope you have a good day 🙂

Re: Firefox Extensions - Permanent install option for debug extensions?

grundt — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 13:25:35 GMT

While I share the opinion that users should be able to permanently install their own addons without having to get them signed, prefacing such a request (to Mozilla) with "I am a user of Waterfox" seems ... tactless, akin to asking your local retailer to start stocking an item so you can see it in person, before making the purchase from an online discounter.

Re: Firefox Extensions - Permanent install option for debug extensions?

lejade — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 19:45:12 GMT

Apparently, I am quite stupid for not researching enough related posts here. Thank you for the link, I will now be moving this thread. (https://connect.mozilla.org/t5/discussions/it-would-be-nice-if-i-could-use-my-own-extension-without-signing/m-p/128652#M51300)

Also what you said with Waterfox here is fair, I dont think I needed to include that. I did use Firefox for some time before, but I moved because I wanted better privacy and default settings. (if that makes sense).

The extension problem does affect Firefox too though, so that is why I put it here.