The Mozilla Foundation has announced plans to develop a Web Extension API that will be compatible with the extensions used by the Chrome, Opera, and Vivaldi browsers.
This means developers will be able to develop add-ons that will work on multiple browsers without having to rewrite 2, 3, or 4 times different versions of the same extension.
Chrome and Opera already use such a system for extensions, while Vivaldi is still under test. Microsoft has also stated that it is developing a similar system for Edge.
"We're developing a new Firefox API called WebExtensions," said Mozilla's Needham. "This modern JavaScript API has several advantages, such as support for multiple browsers."
The Mozilla Foundation has added that Firefox is moving in a new direction with its add-ons not having full access to the Firefox kernel, which will certainly offer more security and more.
"With a fundamental change in the way Firefox uses add-ons, we will be able to use new technologies such as Electrolysis, Servo or browser.html as part of Firefox," said Needham.
By switching to new technologies such as Electrolysis and Servo, the Mozilla Foundation will not only change the way browser extensions interact with its content, but also how the browser works.
While multi-process support seems (and is a good idea for whoever knows means, a complete overhaul of the whole browser architecture.
This was the main reason why the WebExtensions API was developed.
By developing extensions using the WebExtensions API, the program will be compatible with Electrolysis.
Dimitris hates Mondays...
