Containers Add-on

Embedded Web Extension to build Containers as a Firefox Test Pilot Experiment and Shield Study to learn:

• Will a general Firefox audience understand the Containers feature?
• Is the UI as currently implemented in Nightly clear or discoverable?

For more info, see:

• Test Pilot Product Hypothesis Document
• Shield Product Hypothesis Document

Requirements

• node 7+ (for jpm)
• Firefox 51+

Development

Development Environment

Add-on development is better with a particular environment. One simple way to get that environment set up is to install the DevPrefs add-on. You can make a custom Firefox profile that includes the DevPrefs add-on, and use that profile when you run the code in this repository.

1. Make a new profile by running /path/to/firefox -P, which launches the profile editor. "Create Profile" -- name it whatever you wish (e.g. 'addon_dev') and store it in the default location. It's probably best to deselect the option to "Use without asking," since you probably don't want to use this as your default profile.

2. Once you've created your profile, click "Start Firefox". A new instance of Firefox should launch. Go to Tools->Add-ons and search for "DevPrefs". Install it. Quit Firefox.

3. Now you have a new, vanilla Firefox profile with the DevPrefs add-on installed. You can use your new profile with the code in this repository like so:

Run the .xpi file in an unbranded build

Release & Beta channels do not allow un-signed add-ons, even with the DevPrefs. So, you must run the add-on in an unbranded build:

1. Download and install an un-branded build of Firefox
2. Download the latest .xpi from this repository's releases
3. Run the un-branded build of Firefox with your DevPrefs profile
4. Go to about:addons
5. Click the gear, and select "Install Add-on From File..."
6. Select the .xpi file

Run the TxP experiment with jpm

1. git clone git@github.com:mozilla/testpilot-containers.git
2. cd testpilot-containers
3. npm install
4. ./node_modules/.bin/jpm run -p /Path/To/Firefox/Profiles/{junk}.addon_dev -b FirefoxBeta (where FirefoxBeta might be: ~//obj-x86_64-pc-linux-gnu/dist/bin/firefox or ~//firefox)

Check out the Browser Toolbox for more information about debugging add-on code.

Run the shield study with shield

1. git clone git@github.com:mozilla/testpilot-containers.git
2. cd testpilot-containers
3. npm install shield-study-cli
4. ./node_modules/.bin/shield run . -- --binary Nightly

Building .xpi

To build a local .xpi, use the plain jpm xpi command.

Signing an .xpi

To sign an .xpi, use jpm sign command.

Note: You will need to be an author on the AMO add-on.

Testing

TBD

Distributing

TBD