![](https://addons.mozilla.org/user-media/addon_icons/873/873070-64.png?modified=1680556673)
Tridactyl
Vim, but in your browser. Replace Firefox's control mechanism with one modelled on Vim.
This addon is very usable, but is in an early stage of development. We intend to implement the majority of Vimperator's features.
![](https://addons.mozilla.org/user-media/previews/thumbs/202/202002.jpg?modified=1622132820)
What is Tridactyl?
Tridactyl is a Firefox add-on that transforms your browser into a keyboard-operated control system, based on Vim's design. This replacement for VimFX, Vimperator and Pentadactyl binds common tasks to single key presses, simplifying and speeding up browsing. Features include the ability to follow any link with just a few keystrokes, switch between tabs by searching, customizable search settings, and the power to bind any command to a preferred keystroke. Tridactyl is still in development with a vision to provide all features previously offered by Vimperator.
Add-on stats
By: Colin Caine
Creation date: 2017-11-09
Weekly download count: 204
Firefox on Android: No
Risk impact: Very high risk impact
Risk likelihood: Moderate risk likelihood
Manifest version: 2
Overrides new tab: Yes
Permissions:
- activeTab
- bookmarks
- browsingData
- contextMenus
- contextualIdentities
- cookies
- clipboardWrite
- clipboardRead
- downloads
- find See more
Size: 3.32M
URLs: Website
Ranking
# 1093 ▼ 8
Other platforms
Not available on Chrome
Not available on Edge
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Add-on summary
Control your browser with your keyboard only. Replace Firefox’s control mechanism with one modelled on VIM. This is a “Firefox Quantum” replacement for VimFX, Vimperator and Pentadactyl. Most common tasks you want your browser to perform are bound to a single key press:
- You want to open a new tab? Hit
t
. - You want to follow that link? Hit
f
and type the displayed label. (Note: hint characters should be typed in lowercase.) - You want to go to the bottom of the page? Hit
G
. Or the top?gg
. - You want to focus the text field on Wikipedia to search for another term?
gi
. - Switch to the next tab?
gt
. - Go back in time?
H
. - Notice that this tab is rubbish and you want to close it?
d
. - Regret that decision?
u
restores it. - Want to write something in Vim?
Ctrl-i
in a text box opens it in Vim, if you have:native
working. - Temporarily disable all that magic because you can’t stand it?
Shift-Insert
orCtrl-Alt-Escape
. - But how do you use your browser now?
Shift-Insert
orCtrl-Alt-Escape
again and we’re back on.
:help
might help you a lot, and there’s always :tutor
.
Highlighted features:
- Follow any link on the site with just 2-3 key presses.
- Switch to any open tab by searching for its URL or title or entering its ID.
- Easy customizable search settings.
- Bind any supported command or commands to the key (sequence) of your liking.
- Great default bindings (if you’re used to Pentadactyl or Vimperator).
- Access your data for all websites:
- This is Mozilla’s way of saying that Tridactyl can read the content of web pages. This is necessary in order to e.g. find the links you can follow with the
:hint
command (bound tof
by default).
- This is Mozilla’s way of saying that Tridactyl can read the content of web pages. This is necessary in order to e.g. find the links you can follow with the
- Exchange messages with programs other than Firefox:
- This permission is required for Tridactyl to interact with your operating system (opening your editor to edit text areas, sending links to your video player, reading a configuration file from your disk…). This is possible thanks to an external executable we provide. If you feel this gives Tridactyl too much power you can chose not to install the external executable: Tridactyl will still work but won’t be able to start external programs.
- Read and modify bookmarks:
- Tridactyl’s command line has a powerful autocompletion mechanism. In order to be able to autocomplete your bookmarks, Tridactyl needs to read them.
- Clear recent browsing history, cookies, and related data:
- Tridactyl implements the
:sanitise
command Vimperator and Pentadactyl had. It works a bit like the “Clear All History” dialog you can access by pressingCtrl+Shift+Del
on default Firefox.
- Tridactyl implements the
- Get data from the clipboard:
- If your clipboard contains a URL, pressing
p
will make Tridactyl follow this URL in the current tab.
- If your clipboard contains a URL, pressing
- Input data to the clipboard:
- Tridactyl lets you copy various elements to the clipboard such as a page’s URL with
yy
, a link’s URL with;y
or the content of an HTML element with;p
.
- Tridactyl lets you copy various elements to the clipboard such as a page’s URL with
- Download files and read and modify the browser’s download history:
User reviews
These summaries are automatically generated weekly using AI based on recent user reviews.
Firefox Browser Add-ons does not verify user reviews, so some user reviews may be inaccurate,
spammy, or outdated.
Pros
- Incredibly helpful and a huge time saver
- Life-changing for users, especially those familiar with vim
- Great for keyboard navigation and productivity
- Compatible with other extensions like simple group tab
- Frequent updates and solid documentation
Cons
Most mentioned
- Excellent for vim users
- Essential for keyboard navigation
- Great for productivity
- Compatible with various extensions
- Frequent updates
Recent reviews
by Firefox user 16289238, 2024-09-04
by Firefox user 16289238, 2024-09-04
by Firefox user 16289238, 2024-09-04
Add-on safety
Risk impact
Tridactyl is very risky to use and it requires a lot of sensitive permissions. Avoid installing this add-on unless you absolutely trust this publisher.
Risk likelihood
Tridactyl is probably trust-worthy. Prefer other publishers if available. Exercise caution when installing this add-on.
Upgrade to see risk analysis details