Documentation Index
Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/chefnaphtha/xBlockOrigin/llms.txt
Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.
xBlockOrigin is available as an unsigned extension for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox. Follow the instructions below for your browser.
All extensions are unsigned and built for personal/testing use. Download pre-built extensions from the GitLab Releases page. Choose your browser
Chrome and Edge installation
Chrome and Edge require extensions to be loaded in developer mode when unsigned.Extract to permanent location
Unzip the file to a permanent folder on your computerDon’t delete this folder! The extension loads from this location, so moving or deleting it will break the extension.
Open extensions page
Navigate to chrome://extensions/ in Chrome or edge://extensions/ in Edge
Enable developer mode
Toggle “Developer mode” using the switch in the top-right corner
Load the extension
Click “Load unpacked” button that appears after enabling developer mode
Select the folder
Browse to and select the unzipped folder from Step 2
Verify installation
The xBlockOrigin extension should now appear in your extensions list with the status “Unpacked”
Important notes for Chrome/Edge
- Extension will show as “unpackaged” or “unpacked” - this is normal for unsigned extensions
- Chrome may display a warning on every startup that developer mode extensions are installed
- The extension will stay installed as long as you:
- Keep the extension folder in its location
- Don’t disable developer mode
- Don’t manually remove the extension
Manifest V3 features
The Chrome/Edge version uses Manifest V3 with:
- Modern service worker architecture
- Enhanced security and privacy
- Optimized performance
storage, tabs, and activeTab permissions- Host permissions for
x.com and twitter.com
Firefox Standard Edition (temporary installation)
Firefox requires extensions to be signed. For unsigned extensions in standard Firefox, you can only load them temporarily.The extension will be removed when Firefox restarts. You must reload it after every browser restart. For permanent installation, use Firefox Developer Edition, Nightly, or ESR.
Extract the archive
Unzip the file to any location (this can be temporary since the extension is loaded temporarily)
Open debugging page
Navigate to about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox in Firefox
Load temporary add-on
Click “Load Temporary Add-on…” button
Select the manifest
Browse to the extracted folder and select the manifest.json fileAlternatively, you can select the .zip file directly without extracting it
Verify installation
The extension should now appear in the Temporary Extensions list
Important notes for Firefox Standard
- Extension is temporary and will be removed when Firefox restarts
- You must reload the extension after every Firefox restart
- This is the only option for unsigned extensions in standard Firefox release builds
- For a better experience, consider using Firefox Developer Edition
Reloading after restart
After each Firefox restart:
- Navigate to
about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox
- Click “Load Temporary Add-on…”
- Select the
manifest.json file again
Firefox Developer Edition, Nightly, or ESR (permanent installation)
Firefox Developer Edition, Nightly, and ESR allow you to disable signature verification for permanent installation of unsigned extensions.Open Firefox config
Navigate to about:config in FirefoxClick “Accept the Risk and Continue” if prompted
Disable signature requirement
Search for xpinstall.signatures.requiredSet it to false by double-clicking the preferenceThis disables signature checks for all extensions system-wide, not just xBlockOrigin
Open add-ons page
Navigate to about:addons
Install from file
Click the gear icon (⚙️) in the top-right cornerSelect “Install Add-on From File” from the dropdown menu
Select the ZIP file
Browse to and select the downloaded xblockorigin-firefox-rX.zip fileDo not extract the ZIP - install it directly
Confirm installation
Click “Add” when Firefox prompts you to confirm the installation
Verify installation
The extension should now appear in your extensions list and remain installed permanently
Important notes for Firefox Developer/Nightly/ESR
- Works in Developer Edition, Nightly, and ESR versions only
- Extension stays installed permanently (survives browser restarts)
- Disabling signature checks affects all extensions system-wide
- Not available in standard Firefox release builds
Which Firefox version should I use?
- Developer Edition: Best for developers, includes dev tools, updated every 6 weeks
- Nightly: Cutting-edge features, updated daily, may be unstable
- ESR (Extended Support Release): Stable, enterprise-focused, updated every 42 weeks
Manifest V2 vs V3
xBlockOrigin uses different manifest versions depending on your browser:
| Browser | Manifest Version | Architecture |
|---|
| Chrome/Edge | V3 | Service worker |
| Firefox | V2 | Persistent background page |
Both versions provide identical functionality - the differences are purely technical to support each browser’s requirements.
Permissions explained
xBlockOrigin requests the following permissions:
- storage: Store your blacklist, whitelist, settings, and muted users database locally
- tabs: Access the current tab to inject content scripts
- activeTab: Interact with X.com pages you’re actively viewing
- x.com and twitter.com: Access X.com/Twitter.com to scan posts and call APIs
- webRequest (Firefox only): Monitor web requests for optimal functionality
All data is stored locally on your device. xBlockOrigin never sends data to external servers and only communicates with X.com’s official API.
Troubleshooting
Chrome/Edge: Extension disappeared after restart
- Verify developer mode is still enabled in
chrome://extensions/
- Check that the extension folder wasn’t moved or deleted
- Reload the extension using “Load unpacked”
Firefox Standard: Extension missing after restart
This is expected behavior. Temporary extensions are removed on restart. Either:
- Reload the extension from
about:debugging
- Switch to Firefox Developer Edition for permanent installation
Extension not working on X.com
- Ensure you’re logged into X.com
- Refresh the X.com page after installing the extension
- Check browser console for errors (F12 → Console)
- Verify the extension is enabled in your browser’s extensions page
Next steps
Now that you’ve installed xBlockOrigin, learn how to configure it and mute your first country in our quick start guide.