Browser Configuration (modules/programs/browser)

The modules/programs/browser directory manages the configuration for web browsers in the nixri system. nixri takes a highly modular approach, allowing you to choose between different Firefox-based browsers (Firefox, Floorp, or Zen) by modifying your variables.nix file, while sharing essential components like extensions and bookmarks across them.

Directory Structure

The browser/ directory is split into shared configuration files and browser-specific subdirectories.

Shared Configurations

These files apply globally to your selected browser.

  • bookmarks.nix: Defines a curated, declarative list of bookmarks organized into folders. It includes quick links to media sites, NixOS documentation, physics papers, search engines, and game development assets.
  • extensions.nix: A comprehensive, declarative setup for browser extensions.
    • Automatically forces the installation of essential add-ons such as uBlock Origin, Bitwarden, Proton VPN, Dark Reader, SponsorBlock, and more.
    • Controls UI layout for extensions (e.g., pinning specific icons to the nav-bar or unified-extensions-area).
    • uBlock Origin: Configured extensively with custom lists, advanced settings, and customized Twitch ad-block solutions.
    • Dark Reader: Automated settings and optional Catppuccin themes.

Browser-Specific Subdirectories

Each supported browser has its own dedicated folder containing specific configurations:

1. firefox/

Standard Firefox configuration.

  • default.nix: The main entry module to build the Firefox package and apply its config.
  • policies.nix: Enterprise-level policy configurations (like disabling telemetry, pocket, and forcing DNS-over-HTTPS).
  • search.nix: Customizes search engines and keywords.
  • settings.nix: An extensive list of about:config preferences tailored for privacy, performance, and UI tweaks.

2. floorp/

Floorp is a privacy-oriented, feature-rich Japanese fork of Firefox.

  • Mirrors the structure of the firefox/ directory (default.nix, policies.nix, search.nix, settings.nix).
  • Also includes a specific bookmarks.nix (which might override or append to the global bookmarks).

3. zen/

Zen Browser is another modern Firefox fork focusing on an optimized and unique user interface.

  • Includes the standard modular files (default.nix, policies.nix, search.nix, settings.nix).
  • userChrome.css & userContent.css: Features custom CSS to drastically alter the browser’s UI (hiding tabs, altering the nav bar, custom styling for websites), matching the overall nixri desktop aesthetic.

How it Works

When you set browser = "firefox", "floorp", or "zen" in your variables.nix, the system evaluates the corresponding subdirectory inside modules/programs/browser/. It combines the browser-specific policies, settings, and search engines with the shared global extensions and bookmarks, resulting in a fully configured, ready-to-use browsing experience immediately upon a system rebuild.