WebUSB Extension for Firefox
A new open-source project enables WebUSB functionality in Firefox using a combination of a browser extension and a native messaging stub.
This extension adds WebUSB functionality to Firefox by making use of native messaging.
In order to use this, you need to both install the extension in your browser and install a small program (separate from the browser) on your computer. This extra program is called the "native stub".
You can install this extension by downloading binaries from the GitHub "Releases" section, or you can build from source.
To install a signed version of the extension, download the .xpi file and open it in Firefox. To load a testing version in Firefox Developer Edition, use the about:debugging page.
If you are using prebuilt binaries, unzip all files and run ./install.sh (Linux/macOS) or install.bat (Windows). These installers automatically configure the native manifest so the browser can find the stub.
Prebuilt binaries are available for:
- macOS x86_64 and ARM64
- Linux x86_64 and aarch64
- Windows AMD64 and ARM64
System Requirements:
- macOS 10.15 or later (macOS 12 recommended).
- Windows 10 or later.
- Linux kernel 4.8 or later with udev support.
The native stub is written in Rust and supports cross-compilation. On Linux, it uses musl libc for static linking to ensure portability. On Windows, it targets UCRT via mingw-w64. Proper configuration requires a JSON manifest file placed in specific system locations so Firefox can communicate with the hardware bridge.
Source: Hacker News
