Prevent accidental link opening when autoscrolling on dense websites like Pinterest

[nahu3z]

The Problem:
On websites with high link density, image grids, or infinite feeds (such as Pinterest, Reddit, or image galleries), using middle-click to start Autoscroll Mode frequently results in accidental misclicks.
Because middle-click serves a dual purpose in Firefox (opening links in a new tab AND initiating autoscroll), attempting to autoscroll over interactive elements often triggers link navigation instead of scrolling. This creates a frustrating user experience where users have to hunt for "empty space" on a page just to middle-click safely
Furthermore, users on laptops or trackpads without a dedicated physical middle-click button face additional friction trying to use this feature cleanly.
Proposed Solution:
Create a keyboard shortcut to start Autoscroll Mode at the current cursor position, alongside the existing middle-click method.
Since Esc already works as a keyboard shortcut to stop autoscroll mode, adding a shortcut to start it would provide a complete and consistent keyboard-based workflow.
Benefits:
Better UX: Eliminates accidental link opening on dense page layouts.
Accessibility & Convenience: Provides a keyboard alternative for trackpad users or those without a middle-click button.
Symmetry: Completes the interaction loop alongside the existing Esc key shortcut to stop scrolling.

[Jon]

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