firefox

Launch the Firefox web browser

TLDR

Launch Firefox and open a web page

$ firefox [https://www.duckduckgo.com]

Open a new window

$ firefox --new-window [https://www.duckduckgo.com]

Open a private (incognito) window

$ firefox --private-window

Search for "wikipedia" using the default search engine

$ firefox --search "[wikipedia]"

Launch Firefox in safe mode, with all extensions disabled

$ firefox --safe-mode

Take a screenshot of a web page in headless mode

$ firefox --headless --screenshot [path/to/output_file.png] [https://example.com/]

Use a specific profile to allow multiple separate instances of Firefox to run at once

$ firefox --profile [path/to/directory] [https://example.com/]

Set Firefox as the default browser

$ firefox --setDefaultBrowser

-h, --help
    Display help information and exit

-v, --version
    Output version information and exit

-P, --profile
    Start with specified profile or open Profile Manager

--new-tab
    Open URL in a new tab

--new-window
    Open URL in a new window

--new-instance
    Open URL in a new Firefox instance

--private-window []
    Open URL in a new private window

--safe-mode
    Start Firefox in Safe Mode (disables extensions)

-no-remote
    Do not accept or send remote commands

--headless
    Run Firefox in headless mode (no GUI)

-k, --kiosk
    Start in kiosk mode (fullscreen, no menus)

--setDefaultBrowser
    Set Firefox as default browser

DESCRIPTION

The firefox command launches the Mozilla Firefox web browser, a free and open-source application renowned for its speed, customization, and strong emphasis on user privacy and security. On Linux systems, it serves as the primary way to start Firefox from the terminal, allowing users to open specific URLs, manage profiles, enable private browsing, or troubleshoot in safe mode.

Firefox supports a wide array of command-line options for advanced control, such as opening tabs/windows, disabling extensions, or connecting to remote instances. It's cross-platform, highly extensible via add-ons, and includes features like tabbed browsing, pop-up blocking, password management, and synchronization across devices. As a Gecko-based engine browser, it adheres to web standards while blocking trackers by default.

Ideal for developers testing web apps, power users scripting browser automation, or everyday browsing, firefox integrates seamlessly with desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, and XFCE. It respects system themes and proxies, making it a staple on Linux distributions.

CAVEATS

Requires X11/Wayland graphical session; may conflict with snap/flatpak versions on some distros. Use firefox --version to check installation. Profiles stored in ~/.mozilla/firefox.

PROFILES

Use firefox -P to manage multiple profiles for separate sessions, cookies, and extensions.
Default profile: ~/.mozilla/firefox/*.default-release.

INSTALLATION

Debian/Ubuntu: sudo apt install firefox. Fedora: sudo dnf install firefox. Arch: sudo pacman -S firefox. Snap: snap install firefox.

HISTORY

Originated as Phoenix (2002) from Mozilla Suite, renamed Firebird (2003), then Firefox (2004). Developed by Mozilla Corporation/Foundation; Linux support from early versions. Quantum engine (2017) boosted performance. Widely used in enterprise via ESR releases.