https://github.com/null-dev/firefox-profile-switcher makes firefox profiles like chrome
https://github.com/mbnuqw/sidebery gives you vertical tabs
this post was submitted on 22 Jan 2024
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Here's a tip to make using Firefox profiles easy.
- go to
about:profilesand create a profile. Let's call this one "better" because it has the Betterfox css added. (an example) - On Linux typing
firefoxin a terminal will launch the default profile. Typingfirefox -p betterwill launch the "better" profile. If you're on OS X or Windows just find out what the equivalent command would be to execute the launch. - Go to wherever you need to in your operating system to create custom keyboard shortcuts. For me that's Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts > Custom Shortcuts. Create a new shortcut with the following information.
Name: Firefox profile better
Command: firefox -p better
Keys: enter the keys you want to use
How to choose keys;
My desktop environment uses super(windows) + b to launch the default browser, which happens to be Firefox. So for me it makes sense to use something like super + shift + b for consistency, and easy to remember. If you have a profile with Arkenfox css it could be super + shift + a. Regardless, try for a mnemenic and consistent solution.
Now whenever you want to launch a new instance of a Firefox profile just tap the keys you assigned.
This baffled me to no end, but the -P flag did the trick.
eg Win11: "C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P as a shortcut.
Got used to always start with profile picker.
If you add -no-remote to the command, you can launch multiple profiles simultaneously. You don’t need that parameter on your main profile.
Example:
"C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe" -P [profile’s name] -no-remote
You can even make a shortcut to Firefox and put the command in. I have several icons launch profiles when I need them.
Firefox has my very favourite vertical tab system of any browser in the Tree Style Tab addon: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tree-style-tab/
I'm not too sure how to simplify jumping between profiles though. I haven't used it so I can't vouch for it, but maybe the Profile Switcher addon would work for you? https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/profile-switcher/
I really wish vertical tabs could make it in as a core feature to Firefox. Currently I have to rely on manual user style sheet changes to hide the horizontal tab bar.
I second the recommendation for Tree Style Tabs, however Sideberry did work better for me (don't recall why, sorry).
One downside is that they don't hide the horizontal tab bar on the top. AFAIK you can manually hide it by editing the userstyle css file.
Why exactly do you want to switch profiles?
If it's cookies, https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/multi-account-containers/
I use profiles. For me it‘s useful for switching between personal, work and presentation „mode“, because I use a different set of bookmarks and extensions for each one.
it always baffles me when an internet rando comes telling somebody that their needs are wrong because there is another (unrelated, not really an) option :)
I can't figure out how to get them to work they way I want.
I don't store any history/cookie/cache data by default, it's all eliminated on shutdown of the browser. So I have to put in exceptions for password managers, tickting systems and other stuff.
Like, what if I want to have whatsapp in a container? Well, if you want it to work nicely, you need to allow persistant cookies. Then it stays logged in between sessions.
But that exception is valid for all containers, not just the whatsapp container. I work for an MSP, I've got hundreds of accounts to the same few sites, adobe/microsoft/antivirus and they all work fine! But there's tracking cookies for those sites too that can be stored and retrieved too.
I want per container cookie/cache exception options, because forcing a site to open in a single container isn't viable in all circumstances. That's why I have to use profiles.
and you are not only more than welcome to use them, but also invited to keep using the right tool for your needs :) I was actually making fun of the comment that mentioned containers, not the one I replied to.
Oh I know, I was agreeing with you!
I was outlining a problem that containers can't (currently) solve in solidarity. Sorry, that wasn't clear.
ah ok sorry I'm dumb hehe. Anyway this thread is interesting in suggesting some use cases I had not imagined before, which is cool, profile is the new porno mode yeah :DDD
I recommend the Container Tabs extension. It’s similar yo having profiles, but more accessible.