Throughout the years, Firefox users have expressed a desire for a more adaptable method of managing browser tabs that strays from the conventional horizontal layout. This feedback has been acknowledged, and Mozilla has now taken action by introducing vertical tabs.
As mentioned toward the end of May, this highly requested feature was on the developers’ agenda. Now, in a move eagerly awaited by users, Firefox has released a new update in its Nightly 131 build, which incorporates vertical tabs and a redesigned sidebar.
This functionality enables users to view their tabs vertically, facilitating easier scanning of information and seamless transition between tasks.
In addition to vertical tabs, the new sidebar feature strives to alter how users reach their tools and manage workflows. The sidebar smoothly integrates with Firefox, allowing users to promptly access tabs from other devices, favorite extensions, and bookmarks without interrupting their ongoing tasks.
Guidance on Evaluating the New Features in Firefox
I’m certain you are eager to experience these new features firsthand. To try out vertical tabs and an enhanced sidebar, follow these steps:
- Visit the provided link to download the Firefox Nightly build.
- Extract the file and launch
firefox-bin. - Go to “Settings” > “Firefox Labs.”
- Enable the experiments for both “Sidebar” and “Vertical tabs.”
- Customize the toolbar by right-clicking, then dragging the sidebar icon to the toolbar for convenient access.
Granted, this is an early preview, and it will likely be several months before vertical tabs and the enhanced sidebar are fully integrated into stable versions of Firefox. Nevertheless, the initial and most crucial step has been taken, and the features appear highly promising.
Moreover, developers of web extensions are encouraged to test their extensions with these novel features. For additional details, refer to the announcement on the Mozilla Blog.
Source: Linuxiac
