Packaging Firefox Themes
One of the first things you need to understand about Firefox themes is how to package them. It’s really simple, so be prepared to have an easy first step.
Firefox themes are just zip files, renamed to jar. So, if you can create a zip file, and rename a file, you’ll be done in no time. You may have to make a few tweaks to how XP/Vista shows files though.
For starters, open the iPox Remix Assets folder. Inside you’ll see nine items. Select all items and zip them up. On a Mac, you can just right click and make an archive. On PC, you should be able to right click and send to compressed folder.
After that, rename the zip file to jar and you’re done. On a Mac, just change .zip to .jar and you’re good to go. On XP, this works too, but you have to go into the Control Panels and Folder Options first and uncheck ‘Hide extensions for known file types‘. Then you can successfully change .zip to .jar.
I usually name jar file to coordinate with the theme name and version (example: iPoxRemix0.1.jar) but you don’t have to do that. Any name will work.
To install your theme in Firefox, just open the browser and go to the addons window. Now drag your jar file to the addons window and it should try an install.
I say try because if you are trying to install iPox Remix, you’ll get an error as your theme doesn’t yet have a unique identity. That’s the next lesson that will be coming soon.
This is just one installment into the iPox Remix set of tutorials that will help you learn how to create your own Firefox theme. Visit the main iPox Remix page for more details.
[...] Now re-package and install your theme and you should have custom toolbar buttons. [...]
- Custom Firefox Toolbar Buttons » Blog on a Stick May 11th, 2007 at 5:53 am
WordPress 2.0.4
[...] Head on over to addons.mozilla.org and register for a free account. Once that’s done, you should see a ‘Developers Tools’ link in the left sidebar. Click on it and the left sidebar will change and you’ll see a link to ‘Submit Add-on’. This is where you upload your theme file (.jar). [...]
- Submitting Your Theme to Mozilla » Blog on a Stick June 12th, 2007 at 7:06 am
WordPress 2.0.10
Just a little note, I must be doing something a bit wrong. I went ahead and downloaded your theme (Thanks btw), completed making it my ‘own’, with personal UUID and changed everything to my own personal specs. I packaged the theme, opened add-ons and dragged the file on over. There is a small moment where it goes through the install bar process, however upon completion nothing happens. And help would be appreciated.
- Zingba November 22nd, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.9 - Windows XP
Zingba - send it to twistermc-at-gmail and I’ll take a look at it.
- Thomas November 28th, 2007 at 7:25 am
Safari 523.10 - Mac OS X
Im having the same problem with my theme as well, it installs for a second but then nothing happens.
- Scarz January 20th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows Vista
Hi ive followed all the correct steps im sure but when i drag it in the add ons part it says install i click yes then the add ons goes blank and nothing happens??
- emz January 24th, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows Vista
Hey guys i found the problem! i was clicking on the actual theme folder and compressing it! then changing it to .jar. u have to open the folder and hilight all the contents then compress
(right click/send to - compressed zipped folder).
The new folder will appear within the theme folder (with a diff name mine was MACOSX not my personalised theme name) but dont worry still rename it to .jar and drag it into ur add ons box
wooo i luvvit! thanks Thomas!
- emz January 24th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows Vista
now for the tweaks, how do i change the menu bar font color? file, edit, view etc? its white i want it deeppink and cant find it in the css
- emz January 24th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Mozilla Firefox 2.0.0.11 - Windows Vista
I have followed all of the steps and when I try to install, I get a message stating that this theme is not compatible with Firefox 3.0.1. What gives?
- phaedrus76 August 31st, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Mozilla Firefox 3.0.1 - Mac OS X
phaedrus.. u must have been editing an older theme for the last version of fireworks. for future ref. u need to download and unpack/edit a theme compatible with the version 3.0.1.. but this can be rectfied if u modiy the install.rdf/ contents.rdf version number
- emz September 5th, 2008 at 10:34 am
Internet Explorer 7.0 - Windows Vista