Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Progressive Web Apps?

   Progressive Web Apps are web apps that use emerging web browser APIs and features along with traditional progressive enhancement strategy to bring a native app-like user experience to cross-platform web applications. Progressive Web Apps are a useful design pattern, though they aren't a formalized standard. PWA can be thought of as similar to AJAX or other similar patterns that encompass a set of application attributes, including use of specific web technologies and techniques. This set of docs tells you all you need to know about them.

   (From MDN Web Docs)

2. How to install and use this project?

   Check other pages in this wiki for detailed user instructions. Check the repository itself and the source code for more technical documentation.

3. How to install this project to a different location (for example, /usr/local)?

   Follow the instructions from this issue.

4. How to install the browser runtime to a different location (for example, to ~/.local/share)?

   Follow the instructions from this issue.

5. How to use this project with an alternative Firefox version (for example, LibreWolf)?

   Follow the instructions from this issue.

6. How to install addons inside PWA profile?

   You can open the built-in addon manager using a standard keyboard shortcut or app menu, or pressing F6 and entering addons.mozilla.org.

7. Why can't I install the website I want?

   First, check if the website is a valid PWA. You can press F12 to open developer tools, then go to the Application tab and check in the Manifest section if the website has a correct manifest. If it does not, you currently cannot install it. Support for installing non-PWA websites is planned for the future.

   If the website has a valid manifest, but no page action appears, first try refreshing the page a few times. If it still doesn't work, report an issue. You can also try installing it using the command-line program.

   If the page action appears, but there is a problem while installing the PWA, check the log files and report an issue. You can also try installing it using the command-line program.