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I am inspecting source code of Firefox web extensions by looking into *.xpi files located in Mozzila directory.

In my local computer, which runs Fedora 25 - Firefox 52, it is

~/.mozilla/firefox/415m46wm.default/extensions

The current issue I am encountering is that when I extract *.xpi file, none of them has the manifest.json file. As a result, using web-ext to test add-on locally is not possible. Find out more about web-ext here

HDJEMAI
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Cảnh Toàn Nguyễn
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1 Answers1

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There are multiple different types of Firefox extensions. The most likely reason you are not seeing a manifest.json is that the specific add-ons which you are looking at are not WebExtensions. Basically, if it was a WebExtension, it would have a manifest.json. The fact that it does not have a manifest.json, means it is not a WebExtension. WebExtensions have only existed for a relatively short period of time. The significant majority of extensions will be of other types. The Introduction to Firefox add-ons provides some brief information on the files used in the different types which may help you identify the type of add-on you are looking at.

Without you providing the code for the add-on in the question, a pointer to the extension on AMO, or, at a minimum, a list of the files contained in the extension's root directory (which may, or may not be enough), there is no way for us to say what type of add-on you are looking at.

Using web-ext is not possible on other types of add-ons. If the add-on is restartless (i.e. does not require you to restart Firefox in order to install or uninstall it), you should be able to load it as a temporary add-on from about:debugging.

Makyen
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  • Excellent and informative answer. It is true that I am new to Firefox WebExtensions so I am unaware of the fact of its very recent existence. The description of Stackoverflow document is straightforward and clear enough to identify the add-on type, and furthermore I am inspecting many extensions simultaneously. So I am not going to upload the code : p – Cảnh Toàn Nguyễn Apr 05 '17 at 10:04