As a distro hopping Firefox enjoyer, is it possible to install and configure Firefox extensions through the command line after a fresh install? (lemmy.ml)

submitted 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago) by yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml to c/firefox@lemmy.ml

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I'm working on a suite of scripts that will enable me to hop Linux distros and get back to business as usual w/ minimal fuss. When I hop distros, I tend to back up my important stuff and blow everything else away so I can start with a clean slate. I have some scripts for updating my backups before the wipe and updating the system after the base install:

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Followed by other commands to install my favorite apps and configure my favorite desktop settings.

One thing that I haven't nailed down yet is restoring my Firefox add-ons through the command line. Searching the web, I'm not even sure this is feasible. I found this post from 2011 in the AskUbuntu forum, but I figure the answer might have changed since then.

I just want to remove as much friction as possible from the distro hopping process. I know I can store /home on a separate partition, but I prefer nice, clean installs followed by scripting in my config changes.

Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated.

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[-] eksb@programming.dev 16 points 1 week ago

Why not just keep /home on a separate partition? Or just backup ~/.mozilla/?

[-] yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml 14 points 1 week ago

Why not just keep /home on a separate partition?

My issue is that over time, a lot of cruft builds up in there from apps I no longer use. I like things nice and clean.

Or just backup ~/.mozilla/?

The thought has crossed my mind. Maybe I should try this next time. Thanks for the idea.

[-] GenderNeutralBro@lemmy.sdf.org 2 points 1 week ago

Perhaps this goes without saying, but if you want to do that, be sure you are installing Firefox through similar means across distros. This will not work with the Flatpak, for example.

Manual installation of Firefox is quite simple, and it self-updates, so that's always an option.

[-] yo_scottie_oh@lemmy.ml 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

be sure you are installing Firefox through similar means across distros. This will not work with the Flatpak, for example.

Very good point, I've picked up on this as well. Installed through the native package manager, the profile folder lives under ~/.mozilla/ whereas for flatpaks it's under ~/.var/app/org.mozilla.firefox/.mozilla/.

this post was submitted on 28 Jul 2025

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