How to create a Firefox Theme
I’m starting a whole new set of theme tutorials. Check out the iPod Remix post for all the details.
This is a basic ‘how to’ tutorial for creating a Firefox theme. It’s not intended to be overly detailed as it’s not really that hard. In no time at all, you could get a basic theme created for Firefox.
***Important***
Before submitting a theme to Mozilla or making public, please contact the author in order to ask them if their elements are free of rights. Firefox is Open Source, Themes are often MPL/GPL but icons and pictures belong to their respective authors! Play nice people. 
For this tutorial, our theme will be called joeBob and the instructions work for Firefox 1.x for sure.
- Find a theme that seems to be quite completed and works on Mac and PC. You’ll need a good starting point and I think it’s easier to edit other themes than start with the default ones as the PC theme doesn’t have Mac pieces and the Mac one doesn’t play will with a PC. Trust me, I found out the hard way.Get permission from the theme creator before you start playing with their theme. It’s just nice to know you have permission so that someone doesn’t accuse you of stealing their theme.
- Now that we have a starting spot, download the theme to your computer. To do this, right click and save link as in Firefox, or use a browser like Safari or IE that doesn’t know what to do with a .jar file except download it.
- Change the file name from theme.jar to joeBob.zip. Actually , a Firefox theme is just a bunch of compressed files. Nothing to fancy. Once you change it to .zip, un-zip it and you should now have a joeBob folder on your hard drive . If your software can un-jar files, you don’t have to rename it to a zip.
When you open the joeBob folder, you’ll see some files and some folders. This is the real starting point.
- Open up install.rdf. This is the main theme information. You’ll need to add your own version number, theme name, description, creator and homepage information.Don’t Change the area that is inside the em:targetApplicaton as this is the coded needed for Firefox. If anything, you may need to modify the MinVersion and maxVersion numbers as they relate to versions of Firefox that this theme works with. However, lets not worry about that now.
- You will need to get your own em:id, also known as your theme’s UUID. This is the theme’s identification. If it’s not changed, it’ll endup replacing someone elses theme on install. Getting a UUID is easy. Just go to http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen and it’ll create one for you when the page loads. Copy this into the install.rdf file.
- The next file to update is the contents.rdf file. Open it in a text editor and update it with your information. Example: urn:mozilla:skin:joeBob:browser. Basically, it tells Firefox where to find the files associated with your theme.
- Now all you have to do is start editing stuff. All images are either png or gif files. You can open them in Fireworks, Photoshop or your favorite graphics editor, design over them them, and save them back out as the same name. Most png files are png 32 as that creates perfect transparent edges.The main Firefox buttons are actually one big file that contains all the buttons, their rollover, pressed and disabled states too. Firefox then uses CSS to create the effects you see in the browser. Some are 24×24, some are 32×32. Just remember that they are all squares.
- All configuration files are actually CSS files. Open them in your favorite CSS editing app and go to town. There is some Mozilla specific code that starts with -moz but don’t be afraid of it. You can edit height, width, background colors, positions and all that jazz. Throw in more CSS code, get rid of code you don’t like.I skipped over all the xml files as I’m not sure what they do.
- When you are ready to test, go back out to the first level of your joeBob theme folder, the one that includes the install.rdf file and select all the files, in my case 9 files, and zip them all up. Then rename your zip to your joeBob.jar. If you have a compression utility that actually creates jar files, than that works do. Do not include the joeBob theme folder though as it’s not needed.
- Next, open up Firefox and drag your theme to the themes window to install. Restart and see how it goes.
That’s the basics. There are many pieces to edit and things to try out. Give it a whirl and I’d love to see what you come up with.
More details can be found at Mozilla’s site or by asking in Mozilla’s forums. I can try to answer questions if posted below too.
I’m starting a whole new set of theme tutorials. Check out the iPod Remix post for all the details.
[...] Crea tu propio theme para Firefox con este manual, con él podrás personalizar el navegador de moda, y hacerlo más a tu gusto. [...]
- Crea tu propio theme para Firefox - aNieto2K September 22nd, 2006 at 6:21 pm
WordPress 2.0.4
where is the contents.rdf file i cant find it on my pc in any firefox folder
- cubuss September 29th, 2006 at 4:49 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
After you open (unzip) a theme file, it should be right inside the main folder. It should look like my first screenshot above. That is unless you are modifying the default theme, then you may have to create one.
- Thomas September 29th, 2006 at 6:09 am
Flock 0.7.5.1 - Mac OS X
thanks for the tutorial… i did as you describe with the Qute theme, i only want to change some of the icons in the toolbar… however they didnt change, its still the ones it originally was?
- john September 29th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
john - did you chance the small and large version? You may have updated the small but are using the large. Check on that one. Also, what icon was it?
- Thomas September 30th, 2006 at 9:33 am
Flock 0.7.5.1 - Mac OS X
Hi Thomas! Great post! Thanks very much. I’m new to this but I’d like to give it a go. What surprised me is how many different icons there are in one theme (I downloaded BlackJapan). Is there any simple way how to test the less usual icons? With some of them I do not even know where they appear. Any advice or links to other tutorials are very much appreciated.
Thanks a lot!
Martin
- Moodoo October 3rd, 2006 at 8:14 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Mac OS X
For testing purposes, use Stylish. That will allow you to put the code in at a browser level, hit apply and it’ll show you the outcome, usually right away.
- Thomas October 6th, 2006 at 7:39 am
Flock 0.7.6 - Mac OS X
I would like a tutorial on how to make a theme from the ground up, but its pretty good tutorial. (Make iPox for Firefox 2!)
- Onekopaka October 12th, 2006 at 9:46 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
iPox for Firefox 2 will be here before Christmas.
- Thomas October 12th, 2006 at 10:49 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
I’ve already typed all my stuff up so I’m just going to link you to the post at mozillazine forums. I’m not sure what coding this submissions box uses otherwise I would simply copy and paste.
http://forums.mozillazine.org/viewtopic.php?p=2538946#2538946
- ShadowThunder October 14th, 2006 at 2:01 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
i cant figure it out heh ^^; all i want is an anime firefox skin if any 1 nos how to make them and would be soooo kind to make one for me can u email me at lazy_bum101@hotmail.com
- cloud1001 October 17th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
Hey dude, I’ve been trying to create my own theme. Starting with your theme “Ipox” as the basic one. However, I’m new to all of this, and as far as I know my themes correctly made. But when I try to use it, it thinks it’s the same theme as yours. I mean, I can’t use my own if I have your Ipox installed, because then it thinks it’s the same theme. And If I uninstall the original Ipox I can use my own, but nothings changed, vereything’s the same as in Ipox.
(Sorry if my English isn’t the best, I’m swedish you know)
- Anton October 27th, 2006 at 9:09 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
Anton- Step 5 is where you need to go. Your theme needs it’s own unique UUID. That’s what separates one theme from another. Also, my iPox theme doesn’t play well with Firefox 2 so I’d suggest working off the Windows default theme.
- Thomas October 27th, 2006 at 5:33 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Ok, thanks.
However I think I’ve already done that several times, but whatever. Now there’s another problem, when I try to drag it into the “themes menu”(step 10) It asks me if I want to install it. Ofcourse I say yes, but then there’s a new popup saying “My_theme 0.70 could not be installed because it is not compatible with firefox”
Well, I realize I’ve made a mistake again somewhere along the way but I can’t seem to locate it. And as I said before, my computer skills are not at tye very top. -_-
- Anton October 28th, 2006 at 9:50 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
Here is Mozilla’s detailed instructions on creating the install files. See if that helps.
- Thomas October 28th, 2006 at 10:24 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Thanks for helping me!
I have gotten further now and my theme actually gets installed. What I did wrong(I think) was that I changed the firefox UUID instead of my own themes. But, whatever. It’s quite embarrassing how things just tend to go wrong for me. So now when the theme was finally installed and I tried to use it, the theme I have is the same as the Firefox default theme. The theme’s window sais it’s using mine, but all the buttons and stuff is firefox default. Even though the theme I changed was Ipox. It’s realy conbfusing to me all of this. And one thing I’m not really aware of yet is if the theme’s supposed to be saved in some exact place. Since I have only got it on my hard drive. Well, I hope this is the last help I’ll ever need. By the way, you’re not supposed to mess around with the .css files are you, Or well, it’s not a necessary thing to do is it? Unless you want to change the colors and stuff. What I want right now is my theme to work first, and then I can go back and change some things.
- Anton October 29th, 2006 at 5:36 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
Anton, send the .jar file to me and I’ll see what I can figure out. twistermc/gmail/com
- Thomas October 29th, 2006 at 9:25 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Thanks for all the help along the way, and you won’t even have to bother with my theme. I got it fixed! It’s actually working, even though some of my toolbar buttons are moving a bit when you click them I’m still fascinated. I have no Idea what finally made my theme work, but it does!
I can’t possibly describe how helpful you’ve been. Thanks!
- Anton October 30th, 2006 at 3:25 pm
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.7 - Windows XP
Drop a link back here when you get it done as I’d like to see it.
- Thomas October 30th, 2006 at 6:43 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Please specify on this tutorial that we are not allowed to use all themes. Before modifying and submitting a theme, we have to contact the author in order to ask him if his pictures are free of rights. Firefox is Open Source, Themes are often MPL/GPL but icons and pictures belong to their respective authors!
- Jude November 7th, 2006 at 8:13 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
Good point Jude. I guess I just assumed that people knew what respect was.
- Thomas November 7th, 2006 at 9:05 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Hey!
My theme’s working pretty great now, The pieces are becoming a whole theme. well, however there are still questions. I’ve never done programming, ever, And therefore I don’t know a single thing about the .css documents or what they do. So I’ve left them just as the original. But however I can’t find the picture that sets the Tools/Options background. (Dark blue in Ipox). So now my question is what I do in order to change that color. The theme I’m creating is sort of light green/Light blue.
Well, I’m sorry for not asking you Thomas if I could use your theme Ipox. But I think I just supposed it was ok, since the whole guide is built on your theme and how to edit it. I hope it’s okay.
- Anton November 10th, 2006 at 9:24 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.8 - Windows XP
I’m not exactly sure what background you are looking for. Open up a discussion over at Mozilla’s forums and there are a lot of great people who can help out. The CSS files control the look and feel of the browser beyond just the graphic elements. You might want to find a tutorial on CSS and then start poking around.
- Thomas November 11th, 2006 at 10:05 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
hey… i have found a theme for firefox 1.5 which looks like opera 7…. I try to make it compatible tou firefox 2 but i cannot…. Can anybody help with that or have any idea when i can find it completed??? I can send the theme by e-mail if u want…
- privilege November 11th, 2006 at 8:17 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
privilege - check out the Mozilla forms for help. Or go to the Add-On’s menu in Firefox, right click on the theme and go to the theme’s homepage. Maybe you can contact the author.
- Thomas November 16th, 2006 at 11:18 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Thank you for the tutorial.
I adore your Tinseltown Theme for Firefox.
- Becka December 11th, 2006 at 4:21 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
when i download a theme it is a RAR file…what did i do wrong
when i went to your iPox theme page on firefox’s website where you can dowload themes…i right-clicked and said save link as… and when i went to my desktop it was a RAR file
- someone December 20th, 2006 at 5:34 pm
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.8 - Windows XP
I’ve been trying to update Aquatint and make it 2.0 compliant. Your tutorial is great and simple, but any ideas on how I might update Aquatint? It is my personal favorite theme, and 2nd is TwisterMC. Excellent, simple themes. Sad thing is, the author of Aquatint stopped working on it, so it’s gotta be one of us now. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
- Adriorn December 22nd, 2006 at 10:52 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows 2000
what program do i use to open the *.rdf files?
- clint December 27th, 2006 at 5:19 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
someone - Did you download my theme? If so, it should be a jar file. If someone elses, it may be packaged as a rar which is like a zip. You just need to un-rar it.
Adriorn - I’m not sure the inner workigns of Aquatint. I also started my themes over from scratch when updating to FF 2.0 as just updating them didn’t work well for me.
clint - Any text editor should do. I use TextEdit on my Mac.
- Thomas December 27th, 2006 at 9:31 pm
Safari 419.3 - Mac OS X
ok i figured out the other thing but all i can make is ZIP files how do i change them to JAR files?
- someone January 13th, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
You zip up all the files, not the containing folder, and rename it from .zip to .jar. I have to do this on my web server as on my desktop it’ll still think it’s a zip even after I rename it.
- Thomas January 14th, 2007 at 1:30 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
ok i figured that out butnow when i go to test it it says”
[IMG]http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4612/helpsk1.png[/IMG]
- someone January 14th, 2007 at 9:38 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
sorry bout that last post but here is the link to my screenshot: http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/4612/helpsk1.png
- someone January 14th, 2007 at 9:39 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
The install file should be called install.rdf not install-Obj..rdf. If you have more questions, please email twistermc/gmail/com Thanks
- Thomas January 14th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
it’s not it is install.rdf here is a GIF image to show you what i did:
http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/3982/untitledul7.gif
before where it said install-Obj..rdf that part always changes when i try to install it…plz help and thanks for all your help!
- someone January 14th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
I’ve send you an email to continue this issue.
- Thomas January 14th, 2007 at 1:30 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Hi I would just like to say its a very good tutorial I will give it a go, when I get the chance and will be sure to email you if I have any questions/problems.
HG
- HG January 22nd, 2007 at 12:57 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
Awesometastic tutorialness ! Wish I would have found your guide before trying other how-to’s.
- Brae January 29th, 2007 at 11:17 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
I want to edit the pimzilla theme. I love the theme, but the scroll bars are buggy. Does anyone know of a good place to learn about editing the scroll bar section of the theme. I have looked in a few places and come up empty handed. I have created Search Plugins before, so even if you offer something fairly technical, I think I can tackle it. Thanks in advance.
- Ed February 17th, 2007 at 12:07 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Windows XP
Scrollbar images are usually in the /global/scrollbars/ folder with a css file in the /global/ folder. However, different themes setup things differently.
- Thomas February 19th, 2007 at 7:08 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
I understand that, but its still a bit tricky.
- Ed February 19th, 2007 at 11:06 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.1 - Windows XP
Hey I was wondering if u could create a tutorial on how to actually edit the images. Like change colors and the look of the theme. Ty in advanced.
- AceofClubs February 25th, 2007 at 4:36 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 - Windows XP
AceofClubs - For that, you’d need an application like Photoshop or Fireworks or some sort of graphics editor. Just open up the toolbar image, edit it, save it out as a PNG and re-package.
- Thomas February 27th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
okay, so i followed your steps as close as possible and i jer’d my files dragged them into the theme section and it installed as an extension. why/how did that happen?
also, this is an amazing tutorial. very very simple and easy to grasp. i got one straight from the mozilla page awhile back and it confused the hell out of me
thanks much
- chaz March 5th, 2007 at 2:02 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 - Mac OS X
Please note the website in step 5 has moved to http://www.famkruithof.net/uuid/uuidgen.
- Martijn March 5th, 2007 at 5:58 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 - Windows XP
Thanks Martijn , the URL is updated.
- Thomas March 16th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Hey I am about to start following your tutorial here, (this is VERY helpful by the way.)
In the beginning it says to make sure you have permission to use anyone’s theme as a base, so is it alright to use any of yours??
- lorddonk March 22nd, 2007 at 2:24 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
lorddonk - it’s OK as long as you make it your own. Please don’t use my buttons and imagery and try to pass it off as your own.
- Thomas March 22nd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
Hello,
I’ve been trying to edit an existing theme for personal use only. These are the images I have changed:
- The background image for the Downloads screen;
- The throbber (the .GIF image when a tab is loading, I think it was called Throbber or something along these lines).
Also, I must note that I did indeed change the UUIDthingy in the Install.rdf. I changed nothing besides for that in the RDF files.
I did as you said, zipped the files back, changed the extension into .jar and dragged it into AddOns. However, when it’s done installing, the file disappears out of the AddOn Installation screen, and the Restart Firefox button remains grey, which is not what is supposed to happen after having installed a new theme - firefox should suggest to restart the browser.
When I restart the browser manually, my theme does not appear in the AddOn list.
What am I doing wrong?
Thanks in advance.
- Bludjinni April 5th, 2007 at 7:28 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 - Windows XP
Bludjinni - Based on that explanation I think it could be that you changed the wrong UUID. There are two; one for the theme and one for Firefox. Check that.
- Thomas April 8th, 2007 at 5:16 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
When i try and open the install.rdf and content files they won’t open, my windows xp doesnt recognize them so i get stuck on step 5 by placing that code into the folder in which i can’t create because of its nonrecognition. I have the folder on my desktop of the all the files in it but the install.rdf and content.rdf wont open and when i change them to .xml it opens in the internet and .pdf won’t open…so is there anyway i can rename the 2 files so i can finish the setup on creating a theme? any help, thanks…very frustrating, Brian
- Brian April 17th, 2007 at 12:50 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
Brian - Rename them to .txt. I just open the files in a plain text editor and it works well so hopefully it will for you too.
- Thomas April 17th, 2007 at 5:47 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0 - Mac OS X
I am using your theme iPox as the base theme for a theme I am making (for personal use.) Everything has been going pretty smoothly, but I am having trouble with the tabs. I want to change the tabs to those used by macfox. I have found most of the image files, but I can’t find the CSS that tells the theme which files to use for the tabs. Could you help me out?
- Josh April 18th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
How do I make custom scrollbars for my theme like you did for iPox?
- blah blah April 22nd, 2007 at 12:46 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
Josh - The files should be inside /global/tabbox.css
blah blah - I’m going to have to explain that in a separate post as that’s a bit more than I want to add in the comments. What I may suggest is downloading iPox and checking out /global/scrollbars.css and /global/xulscrollbars.css
- Thomas April 22nd, 2007 at 10:37 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Question to all you Windows uers - what do you use to create .jar files for your theme?
- Thomas April 22nd, 2007 at 3:34 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Hey Twister! I love the tutorial, extremely helpful! But I’ve ran into some confusion I believe. How exactly do I test out my theme? I’m kind of stuck in between steps 9 and 10. I don’t have a program to create .jar files, would it be easier if I did? I just rename the zipped files to .jar, but it doesn’t affect it I don’t think. I suppose it’s something obvious that I’m missing, but could you please point it out, or am I just a lost cost at this?
Thanks much!
- fujifox06 April 22nd, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
fujifox06 - You are on a PC and I’m currently trying to figure how how PC users create .jar files. On a Mac, you just rename the extension but that doesn’t seem to work on Windows. If you have FTP access, upload the .zip to the server then rename it to .jar. I know that’ll work.
- Thomas April 22nd, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Oh, I see…I don’t believe I have FTP access, any idea how I can get that? Certain program, website? But that’s too bad it doesn’t work like that on Windows…If I ever find a way to change files easily on Windows I’ll be sure to let you know.
Thanks again for you help!
- fujifox06 April 22nd, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
Never mind, I guess I do have FTP access and have for some time now!
I didn’t know that Ripway allows you change file extensions. It seems like it would work, and it starts to install and everything, but then a little box popups and says that “This file is not compatible with FireFox.”
I’m starting to believe it’s a sign…xD
- fujifox06 April 22nd, 2007 at 5:00 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
Sounds like you modified the UUID that makes extensions work in Firefox. Email me (twistermc/gmail) your theme and I’ll fix that up. Or wait until next week and I should have a better tutorial up.
- Thomas April 22nd, 2007 at 5:14 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Next week? Cool, I can’t wait for that tutorial.
Keep them iPox themes coming!
- blah blah April 23rd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
blah blah - I won’t get to scrollbars next week, but some time.
- Thomas April 23rd, 2007 at 7:49 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Everyone! Check out the iPox Remix theming project I’m starting up.
- Thomas April 25th, 2007 at 6:00 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Wow!
This is cool!
I’ve tried my hand in this.
I’m already getting the idea that is gonna a good size eater of my time.
One thing I may have to do a little differently is change the preview image.
(Read: I’ll need to make one from scratch. D: )
- Steven Moncivais April 26th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
im not sure what u mean when u say To do this, right click and save link as in Firefox, or use a browser like Safari or IE that doesn’t know what to do with a .jar file except download it.
- alex May 2nd, 2007 at 8:44 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.2 - Windows 2000
Alex, if you want to actually download a Firefox theme from Mozilla’s Addon site, you must right click on the install link and save it. Simply clicking on the link will make it install, not download.
- Thomas May 3rd, 2007 at 5:49 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
[...] Mal auf die Schnelle gepostet: How to create a Firefox Theme » Blog on a Stick __________________ Klaatu Verata Nictu! [...]
- Welches Firefox Theme nutzt ihr? - SciFi-Forum May 15th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Netscape Navigator 4.0
Does this work for making a 1.5 compatible theme compatible for 2.0? My favorite FF1.5 theme is not being updated and i am sure that can play around with it and make it work in 2.0. Thanks!!
- Joseph May 16th, 2007 at 8:12 am
Mozilla Firefox 1.5.0.11 - Windows XP
Joseph - There are lots of differences between Firefox 1.5 and 2.0. Digging though the files and troubleshooting is the best you can do. My tutorials are just for one specific version of Firefox, not for a theme that works in all.
- Thomas June 3rd, 2007 at 8:02 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
can someone help me please, i made the theme but don’t understand how to make it in jar, i can send me the files (map) and my email is: chrisleijssenaar@live.nl
thanx
- Chris June 20th, 2007 at 8:22 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Windows XP
Chris - See this post. Hopefully it’ll help.
- Thomas June 21st, 2007 at 6:07 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Great tutorial! I’ve just been having a few problems with actually installing my theme. I noticed someone else was having the same problem as I, more specifically Bludjinni. You told Bludjinni to check if he had replaced Firefox’s UUID instead of the template theme’s UUID. I have the right UUID in the right place, but I still have the same problem!
Also- I noticed that in an earlier post you asked what program Windows users use the JAR their files. I use WinAce and 7-zip.
- Justin June 30th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Windows XP
Thank you very much for this tutorial. It’s a nice tuto
- Piesto July 1st, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Windows Vista
Justin - Send me your file and I’ll see if I can find the issue. twistermc/gmail Thanks.
- Thomas July 1st, 2007 at 1:04 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Mac OS X
Thanks for the tutorial! I’ve got a couple questions though. On the contents.rdf file, do we just replace all of the names of the old skin with the name of the new skin? Or the internal name of the new skin? And also on the contents.rdf file, is there anything else we have to change?
- Chip July 8th, 2007 at 6:03 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Windows XP
Chip. Everything you need to change should be listed here. Thanks
- Thomas July 8th, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Mac OS X
Thanks! One more questions… Do you know of anything that is sort of like this: http://www.duggyd.co.uk/css/ipb1_2_0/ , except for it’s for firefox? (It tells you what the different codes in the CSS changes on the screen).
Thanks!
Also as for your question before about what Windows users use for making jar files, I use 7-Zip File Manager.
- Chip July 9th, 2007 at 12:16 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Windows XP
Chip, are you looking for an item to tell you want parts of the actual browser are what? If so, check out the DOM inspector. It should be in the tools menu.
- Thomas July 10th, 2007 at 7:52 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.4 - Mac OS X
[...] [link] to full article at twistermc.com [...]
- How to create a Firefox Theme » Feel Firefox July 16th, 2007 at 10:56 am
WordPress 2.1.2
Great guide! =)
With a basic knowledge of CSS and a Illustrating-program, I can suddenly do what I never though possible.
Quick question: If you edit everything; every picture, all colour in CSS and so on, will it be okay to keep the programming CSS, and other non-skin-related stuff without asking the author of the .jar-file you start off with?
- Merlish August 2nd, 2007 at 1:46 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 - Mac OS X
Merlish - Probably. Images and CSS are what make up most of a theme. The rest is just basic Mozilla code. Unless you are modifying a really custom theme like myFireFox where they moved all sorts of items around.
- Thomas August 2nd, 2007 at 9:42 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.5 - Mac OS X
I’m having a problem… I downloaded Qute 3.3.1, and I did everything you said… I drag the .jar into the themes section, install it, and “use it” but when I restart Firefox, the original Firefox theme is back on…. any suggestions?
- Braden August 22nd, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 - Windows Vista
Braden - Does the theme show up in the themes window? It sounds like issues with the install files. Check out the theme identity post and see if that helps any.
- Thomas August 29th, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.5 - Mac OS X
Thanks for the tut… it turns out I did everything you said… but the install files were a bit different, so that thew me off. I tried it again with your theme starting off, and it worked perfectly. You might want to put a note on there somewhere that Qute won’t work with this tut. Thanks for the help!!!
- Braden August 29th, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 - Windows Vista
I think you just did make a note.
Ohh and I’d love to see everyones creations!!
- Thomas August 29th, 2007 at 8:54 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.5 - Mac OS X
[...] How to create a Firefox Theme Blog on a Stick Creating a Skin for Firefox/Getting Started - MDC __________________ X3F Premade Sigs & Avatars [...]
- Mozilla Firefox Themes? - Xbox 360 Forum October 24th, 2007 at 9:49 pm
Netscape Navigator 4.0
In the theme I downloaded the instal.rdf file is a netscape text file. So when i open it, it opens in netscape which is not editable. What do I do?
- Scottie October 30th, 2007 at 1:51 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.8 - Mac OS X
Scottie - Open your text editor and then use File -> Open to open the install.rdf file.
- Thomas October 30th, 2007 at 6:47 am
Safari 523.10 - Mac OS X
[...] Bonus Link: How to create a Firefox Theme?. [...]
- List of sites where you can download Firefox Skins | IGeek Wannabe November 12th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
WordPress 2.3
hey can someone edit the redsift them v2 and make it blue for me?
please email me…
iv had a go but cant do it
wb
- Jason November 24th, 2007 at 7:43 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.3 - Windows XP
I did what you wrote, but I’m already stuck on the unzipping part. Like what you wrote I rename the file and unzip it to my Desktop. But once I went to that folder I see everything except the CONTENTS & INSTALL . rdf file.
Where can I find those ??? Thank you.
- Yuki December 3rd, 2007 at 8:09 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.7 - Windows Vista
I have gotten as far as step 6. I do not fully understand this step, and would like you to describe it for me… other than that, I believe I will have no problems. Thanks!
- Robo December 20th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows XP
Terribly sorry, I now understand what you meant. Thanks!
- Robo December 21st, 2007 at 5:08 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows XP
‘okay, so i followed your steps as close as possible and i jer’d my files dragged them into the theme section and it installed as an extension. why/how did that happen?
also, this is an amazing tutorial. very very simple and easy to grasp. i got one straight from the mozilla page awhile back and it confused the hell out of me
thanks much’ Quoted from Chaz
I too am having the same difficulty. Anyone know how to correct this?
- Robo December 22nd, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows XP
well i made my first theme following your tut. i love it. if you want to check it out let me know ill email it to you. its an indianapolis colts firefox theme.
- madBOX20 December 29th, 2007 at 10:43 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.6 - Mac OS X
Yuki - That depends on what theme you started with. Not all themes are packaged the same.
Robo - Have you checked out the iPox Remix tutorials where it goes into a bit more detail. When it installs as an extension, it usually means a UUID or other ID is incorrect.
MadBOX20 - I’d love to see it. twistermc GMAIL
- Thomas December 31st, 2007 at 11:44 am
Safari 523.10.6 - Mac OS X
If your theme is installing as an extension, that’s a sign that either the install.rdf or contents.rdf has bad code in it. I’m not sure the exact line, but try removing anything that isn’t vital to find the source. Things like author, description and homepage. Something is causing an issue.
- Thomas January 3rd, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Mac OS X
[...] Re: Iowa State Firefox Theme? Found a blog which has a few pointers to get started. If we wanted to make something that actually got hosted by Mozilla, though, we’d likely need permission from ISU to use their colors and trademarks. How to create a Firefox Theme | Blog on a Stick [...]
- Iowa State Firefox Theme? January 11th, 2008 at 5:44 pm
Netscape Navigator 4.0
Looking all over for an Auburn tiger theme, and have had no luck. So, here I am trying to create my own. My issue is the pictures that i want to use as my menu buttons when i scale them down are very pixelated. I know they have to be small and all, but I’d like them to be a little cleaner. I also have no idea how to take the sheet of existing icons in the browser template I’m using and put mine in its place. It’s cool to be able to do this, but it takes time to learn it. Thanks for helping with this tutorial.
- Eric February 19th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Windows XP
ok. i made the colts theme and i have it all good and ready. but im having trouble submitting it. i don’t quite understand the way mozilla puts it. i can compress all the files in to a .zip file and then do i change it to a .jar? that is how firefox can read it. im really confused. can someone who has submitted one help?
- madBOX20 March 4th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Mac OS X
sorry. i posted prematurely. i found what i needed in your archives. thanks though
- madBOX20 March 4th, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Mac OS X
Hi,
I have just stated to build a theme using your instructions, unfortunately when i go to open the install.rdf file window says “cannot open this file”
am i missing something?
Cheers.
- waderiver March 7th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows XP
sounds like you don’t have a HTML editing software. try “right clicking” on the file and choose MS word or something like that.
- madBOX20 March 8th, 2008 at 11:16 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Mac OS X
[...] theme, the history and autocomplete box were unreadable. Nevermind though, after reading an easy tutorial on editing themes, I was able to fix these problems myself. I’m posting it here just in case [...]
- Firefox Theme Mod « Freedom Dreams March 9th, 2008 at 3:34 pm
WordPress MU
well im in the sandbox. if you guys could, please DL my theme and rate me. thanks
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/6659
- madBOX20 March 11th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.12 - Mac OS X
How do i change the toolbar BG color?
- Dennis April 4th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
Mozilla Firefox 3.0b5 - Windows XP
well, i could use some help. i want to redo my colts theme so its compatible for firefox 3. i think the best way would be to use the firefox default theme and work from there. but i can’t find how to DL it to my computer. any suggestions?
- madBOX20 April 15th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
Mozilla Firefox 3.0b5 - Mac OS X
madBOX20, I took the default Proto theme for Mac and customized it. It’s the best starter theme I came across.
- Thomas May 2nd, 2008 at 6:51 am
Safari 525.18 - Mac OS X
Can you create a Iowa Hawkeyes Firefox theme?
- Murph May 6th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.14 - Windows XP
I’ll keep an Iowa Hawkeyes theme in mind for the future. But what about the Cyclones?
- Thomas May 8th, 2008 at 5:49 am
Safari 525.18 - Mac OS X
My hats off ta ya man. I’m sure I COULD do this, but I don’t have the patience for a few hours of manually editing several dozen small image files. You have my respect.
- Greg Smith May 9th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.14 - Windows Vista