View source for Add-ons/developer/communication

=A Cross-Browser API for Developing Add-ons=
The technology for developing add-ons is in transition to [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions WebExtensions APIs]. These APIs let you create and maintain one codebase that works across multiple browsers, without having to update it for every Firefox release.

With the release of [https://wiki.mozilla.org/RapidRelease/Calendar Firefox 57] in November, only add-ons built with WebExtensions APIs will be supported.

This page contains timelines, tutorials, and other resources to help you port your legacy add-on to use WebExtensions APIs. If you're looking for resources on creating a new add-on, please head over to [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions MDN].

=====What's New=====
*[https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/09/office-hours-support-transitioning-porting-webextensions/ Office Hours support available for transitioning developers] - Check the [https://atsay.github.io/WebExtensions_office_hours/ schedule] to see who can help in your time zone.
*Use [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/01/20/migrating-to-webextensions-port-your-stored-data/ Embbeded WebExtensions] to port your stored data
*[http://webextensions-experiments.readthedocs.io/ WebExtensions Experiments]: prototype WebExtension APIs without having to build Firefox
*Help plan and prioritize (or vouch for) WebExtensions APIs by joining the bi-weekly [[Add-ons/Contribute/Triage|public triage]].

=Timelines and roadmaps=
*[https://trello.com/b/ZpIDuMAW/addon-planning Add-on planning] (private): see what the add-on team is working on
*[https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/02/16/the-road-to-firefox-57-compatibility-milestones/ Add-on impacting changes] and [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/AddOns/Status/current#Schedule visual schedule]: see upcoming changes that will impact compatibility
*[https://trello.com/b/PC9kB14s/webextensions-roadmap WebExtensions roadmap]: see upcoming APIs.

=Migration paths for developers of legacy add-ons=
=====1) SDK add-on=====
Here is the comparison chart showing [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Comparison_with_the_Add-on_SDK SDK APIs and their WebExtensions counterparts]. If you don't see the APIs you need to port to WebExtensions, please take a look at [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Add-ons/developer/communication#Don.27t_See_the_WebExtensions_APIs_You_Need.3F some more] options below.

=====2) XUL or XPCOM add-on=====
Here is the comparison chart showing [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Comparison_with_XUL_XPCOM_extensions XUL/XPCOM APIs and their WebExtensions counterparts]. If you don't see the APIs you need to port to WebExtensions, please take a look at some [https://wiki.mozilla.org/Add-ons/developer/communication#Don.27t_See_the_WebExtensions_APIs_You_Need.3F more options] below.

=Don't See the WebExtensions APIs You Need?=

*If you're experienced with Mozilla infrastructure and would like to develop WebExtensions APIs directly for Firefox, here is a list of [https://mzl.la/2dVs5Ys approved APIs] that you can start contributing to.

*If you want to prototype and tinker with WebExtensions APIs without having to build Firefox, [http://webextensions-experiments.readthedocs.io/en/latest/index.html WebExtensions Experiments] is for you!

*If you want to request a new WebExtensions API, please read [https://wiki.mozilla.org/WebExtensions/NewAPIs this page].

[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Embedded_WebExtensions Embedded WebExtensions] - Up until Firefox 57 you can embed a WebExtensions add-on inside an existing SDK or bootstrapped add-on. This is especially useful to developers of SDK or bootstrapped add-ons who want to start migrating to WebExtensions and take advantage of new APIs like Native Messaging, but can’t fully migrate yet. It’s also useful for developers who want to complete data migration towards WebExtensions, and who want to take parts of their add-on that are not compatible with [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Firefox/Multiprocess_Firefox multiprocess Firefox] and make them compatible.

Not all add-ons will be able to migrate to WebExtensions without having to drop any features. But we want to work with you to get as many add-ons migrated as possible with the functionality you created intact. We invite you to contribute to its evolution, and we look forward to [[Add-ons/developer/communication#Get_in_Touch|working with you]].

=Tools=
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Getting_started_with_web-ext web-ext] is a command line tool designed to speed up various parts of the WebExtension development process, making development faster and easier.
*[https://compatibility-lookup.services.mozilla.com/ Lookup tool] to check your add-on type and get porting resource recommendations
*[https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/01/20/migrating-to-webextensions-port-your-stored-data/ Embbeded WebExtensions] are available to port your stored data
*[https://github.com/mi-g/weh WebExtensions Helper] speeds up browser add-ons development by providing  facilities for WebExtensions-based (Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Edge) extensions
*[https://github.com/yeoman/generator-chrome-extension Chrome Extension generator] creates everything you need to get started with extension development. You can choose Browser UI(Browser,Page Action, Omnibox) type and select permissions you need.
*[http://extensionizr.com/ Extensionizr] is a wizard that helps you create a basic extension
*[https://github.com/mahemoff/chrome-boilerplate Chrome Boilerplate]
*[https://github.com/sitepoint/ChromeSkel_a Skeleton Chrome Extension] is an extension bootstrap and template

=Documentation & Tutorials=
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Porting_a_legacy_Firefox_add-on Porting guides that map SDK and XUL APIs to available WebExtensions APIs]
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions How-to guides] covering common add-on developer cases, like [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Intercept_HTTP_requests intercepting web requests] and [https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/docs/Mozilla/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Add_a_button_to_the_toolbar adding a button to the toolbar]
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Comparison_with_the_Add-on_SDK Comparison with the Add-on SDK]
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Comparison_with_XUL_XPCOM_extensions Comparison with XUL/XPCOM extensions]
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Browser_support_for_JavaScript_APIs Browser compatibility table] for all WebExtensions APIs
*[https://developer.mozilla.org/en-US/Add-ons/WebExtensions/Examples Examples of WebExtensions on MDN Web Docs]
* [https://github.com/iamVP7/MyExtensions/blob/master/README.md @iamvp7's Tutorials & examples of WebExtensions]

=Blog Posts=
All WebExtensions blog posts are [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/category/web-extensions/ here].
* August 11, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/08/10/webextensions-firefox-56/ WebExtensions in Firefox 56]
* August 3, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/08/03/extension-examples-see-apis-action/ Extension Examples: See the APIs in Action]
*June 14, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/06/14/webextensions-firefox-55/ WebExtensions in Firefox 55]
*May 16, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/05/16/compatibility-firefox-55/ Add-on Compatibility for Firefox 55]
*May 10, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/05/10/incompatible-change-sessions-restore-api-firefox-54/ Incompatible change to sessions.restore API in Firefox 54]
*Apr 3, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/04/03/migrating-colorzilla-webextensions/ Migrating ColorZilla to WebExtensions]
*Mar 27, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/27/update-compatibility-milestones/ Update on Compatibility Milestones]
*Mar 24, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/24/migrating-adblock-firefox-webextensions/ Migrating AdBlock for Firefox to WebExtensons]
*Mar 17, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/17/migrating-webextensions-dont-forget-users/ Migrating to WebExtensions? Don't Forget Your Users]
*Mar 13, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/13/webextensions-firefox-54/ WebExtensions in Firefox 54]
*Mar 9, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/03/09/office-hours-support-transitioning-porting-webextensions/ Office Hours Support for Transitioning and Porting to WebExtensions]
*Feb 16, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/02/16/the-road-to-firefox-57-compatibility-milestones/ The Road to Firefox 57 – Compatibility Milestones]
*Jan 25, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/01/25/webextensions-in-firefox-53/ WebExtensions in Firefox 53]
*Jan 20, 2017: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2017/01/20/migrating-to-webextensions-port-your-stored-data/ Migrating to WebExtensions: port your stored data]
*Dec 16, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/12/16/meet-some-nifty-new-webextensions/ Meet Some Nifty New WebExtensions]
*Nov 23, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/11/23/add-ons-in-2017/ Add-ons in 2017]
*Nov 22, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/11/22/webextensions-examples-and-hacktoberfest/ webextensions-examples and Hacktoberfest]
*Nov 18, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/11/18/webextensions-in-firefox-52/ WebExtensions in Firefox 52]
*Nov 3, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/11/03/more-ways-to-contribute-to-webextensions/ More ways to contribute to WebExtensions]
*Sep 29, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/09/29/webextensions-in-firefox-51/ WebExtensions in Firefox 51]
*Sep 28, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/09/28/migrating-an-sdk-add-on-to-multiprocess-firefox/ How Video DownloadHelper Became Compatible with Multiprocess Firefox]
*Sep 13, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/09/13/webextensions-and-parity-with-chrome/ WebExtensions and parity with Chrome]
*Aug 25, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/08/25/webextensions-in-firefox-50/ WebExtensions in Firefox 50]
*Aug 12, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/08/12/webextensions-taking-root/ WebExtensions Taking Root]
*July 27, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/07/27/linting-and-automatically-reloading-webextensions/ Linting and Automatically Reloading WebExtensions]
*July 21, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/07/21/new-webextensions-guides-and-how-tos-on-mdn/ New WebExtensions Guides and How-tos on MDN]
*July 14, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/07/14/webextensions-support-on-amo/ WebExtensions support on AMO]
*June 9, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/06/09/webextensions-for-firefox-49/ WebExtensions in Firefox 49]
*May 9, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/05/09/results-of-the-webextensions-api-survey/ Results of the WebExtensions API Survey]
*Apr 29, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/04/29/webextensions-in-firefox-48/ WebExtensions in Firefox 48]
*Apr 26, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/04/26/migrating-popup-alt-attribute-from-xulxpcom-to-webextensions/ Migrating Popup ALT Attribute from XUL/XPCOM to WebExtensions]
*Apr 14, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/04/14/developing-extensions-with-web-ext-1-0/ Developing Extensions With Web-ext 1.0]
*Mar 30, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/03/30/tinkering-with-webextensions/ Tinkering with WebExtensions]
*Mar 14, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/03/14/webextensons-whats-in-it-for-developers/ Advantages of WebExtensions for Developers]
*Mar 11, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/03/11/webextensions-in-firefox-47/ WebExtensions in Firefox 47]
*Feb 2, 2016: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2016/02/02/webextensions-in-firefox-46/ WebExtensions in Firefox 46]
*Jan 9, 2016: [https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/t/webextensions-first-impressions/6459 WebExtensions First Impressions]
*Dec 21, 2015: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/12/21/webextensions-in-firefox-45-2/ WebExtensions in Firefox 45]
*Aug 21, 2015: [https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/2015/08/21/the-future-of-developing-firefox-add-ons/ The Future of Developing Firefox Add-ons]

=Add-on Developer Communication Calendar=
This calendar includes public meetings, scheduled blog posts, office hours, release milestones that affect add-on developers, and more. Links to add it to your own calendar: [https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/mozilla.com_ofjlct07k1784v1u51bqk476bk%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics iCal] | [https://calendar.google.com/calendar/embed?src=mozilla.com_ofjlct07k1784v1u51bqk476bk%40group.calendar.google.com&ctz=America/Los_Angeles HTML]

{{#widget:Widget:Google Calendar
|id=bW96aWxsYS5jb21fb2ZqbGN0MDdrMTc4NHYxdTUxYnFrNDc2YmtAZ3JvdXAuY2FsZW5kYXIuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbQ
}}

=Get in Touch=
* [[IRC|IRC]]:
** #teamaddons: team chat 
** #addons:  support for extensions, themes, plugins and addons.mozilla.org
** #addon-reviewers: add-on reviews and policy
** #amo: addons.mozilla.org bugs and development
** #extdev: extension development
** #themedev: theme development
** #webextensions: web extensions

* Mailing Lists: 
**[https://mail.mozilla.org/listinfo/dev-addons dev-addons] for general discussion
**[https://mail.mozilla.org/listinfo/webextensions-support webextensions-support] for help on migrating to WebExtensions

* More ways to get in touch:
** Office Hours for migration support: https://atsay.github.io/WebExtensions_office_hours/
** Blog: https://blog.mozilla.org/addons/
** Forum: https://discourse.mozilla-community.org/c/add-ons