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Using scope characters, bookmark keywords, and duckduckgo bangs, without add-ons." - -[taxonomies] -categories = ["blog"] -tags = ["firefox"] - -[extra] -toc = true -zenn_applause = true -comments = [ - {url = "https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/pjozlo/firefox_tricks_efficient_quantumbar_usage/", name = "Reddit"}, - {url = "https://mastodon.social/@timvisee/106891027024448347", name = "Mastodon"}, - {url = "https://twitter.com/likecaffeinated/status/1435260278950801408", name = "Twitter"}, -] -+++ - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/header.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/header.png") }} - -The Firefox [QuantumBar][firefox-address-bar] (formerly AwesomeBar, or just -address bar) is surprisingly capable. There's a lot you can do with it to -quickly navigate through your browser. It's one of the things which makes -Firefox so comfy to me. - -I like to be as quick as possible without leaving the keyboard. For this, I use -_scope characters_, _bookmark keywords_, and _DuckDuckGo bangs_. In this article -I'll go through these features and hope to show you something new, no add-ons -required. - - - -## Restrict characters, scopes - -By default, when you type search terms in the address bar, the suggestion list -shows various suggestions types, including search results, bookmarks, and open -tabs. I usually find these to be spot-on already. - -When looking for a specific type of result through, like an open tab, you can -speed up the process by adding special characters with a whitespace in the -address bar before (or after) your search terms. Firefox is vague about its -naming, so I call these scope characters. - -Available scope characters: - -- `%`: limit to open tabs -- `^`: limit to browser history -- `*`: limit to bookmarks -- `+`: limit to tagged bookmarks -- `#`: limit to pages where search terms are part of title or tag -- `$`: limit to pages where search terms are part of the address -- `?`: limit to search suggestions - -Imagine you want to jump to an open Google tab, simply type: - -``` -% google -``` - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/tab-google.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/tab-google.png") }} - -Or you want to find an _MDN_ bookmark on _Progressive web apps_ you added to -your huge bookmarks collection ages ago. [Proton][proton] even shows a fancy -hint now: - -``` -* mdn pwa -``` - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-mdn-pwa.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-mdn-pwa.png") }} - -Simple! By the way, use Ctrl+L or -F6 to quickly focus the address bar. - -Firefox documentation lists this feature [here][search-chars]. It has changed a -bit during Firefox's lifetime as you can see [here][search-chars-old]. - -## Bookmark keywords, smart triggers - -Almost every browser supports bookmarks. However, Firefox allows you to -configure a bookmark keyword to make them easily accessible and interactive. - -The keyword acts as a trigger in the address bar. You basically extend the scope -characters above with your bookmarks to your liking. - -You may add a new bookmark through the bookmark manager (Ctrl+Shift+O) or editing an -existing one, then the _Keyword_ field shows up. This is where you specify your -keyword term to trigger it with. You may put `%s` in the bookmark URL, which -will be replaced with what you type after the trigger keyword, making them -interactive. - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-edit.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-edit.png") }} - -The simplest example would be to quickly jump to your favorite site. Set a -bookmark with the `d` keyword. Type `d` in your address bar and hit enter to -instantly jump to your bookmarked webpage. Though this isn't so interesting. - -Here are some better examples I use a lot: - -#### Bookmark: specific search engine - -Quickly search with a specific search engine: - -``` -d what is the answer to life -wiki bikeshedding -``` - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-search.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-search.png") }} - -
-Tap to see bookmark config - -> Keyword: `d` -> Url: `https://duckduckgo.com/?q=%s` -> -> Keyword: `wiki` -> Url: `https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Search/%s` - -
- -#### Bookmark: jump to subreddit - -Quickly jump to your favorite subreddit: - -``` -r/ linuxmasterrace -``` - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-reddit.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-reddit.png") }} - -
-Tap to see bookmark config - -> Keyword: `r/` -> Url: `https://reddit.com/r/%s` - -
- -#### Bookmark: translate - -Quickly translate something between English and Dutch: - -``` -ennl bikeshedding -nlen fietsenstalling -``` - -{{ fit_image(path="blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-translate.png", url="/blog/firefox-tricks-quantumbar/bookmark-translate.png") }} - -
-Tap to see bookmark config - -> Keyword: `ennl` -> Url: `https://translate.google.com/#view=home&op=translate&sl=en&tl=nl&text=%s` -> -> Keyword: `nlen` -> Url: `https://translate.google.com/#view=home&op=translate&sl=nl&tl=en&text=%s` - -
- -## DuckDuckGo bangs - -For the final trick, we use the default search engine to extend address bar -functionality. - -[DuckDuckGo][duckduckgo] provides an insane amount of [`!bangs`][bangs]. These -function similar to bookmark keywords, but are preconfigured. DuckDuckGo has -more than 13K bangs [available][bangs] for popular sites, most you can come up -with _just work_. Simply prefix your search terms with the appropriate bang and -hit Enter. Super powerful! - -The only caveat is that it requires you to -[change][firefox-change-search-engine] your default search engine to DuckDuckGo -to use it easily. - -Here are some example queries: - -- [`!g Amsterdam`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!g+Amsterdam): Search `Amsterdam` via Google, if DuckDuckGo couldn't find it -- [`!maps Amsterdam`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!maps+Amsterdam): Show `Amsterdam` on Google Maps -- [`!so Rust string character count`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!so+Rust+string+character+count): Find a solution on StackOverflow -- [`!rust String`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!rust+String): Search `String` in Rust documentation -- [`!timer 3m`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!timer+3m): Set a 3-minute timer -- [`!wa solve x^2+4x+6=0`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!wa+solve+x^2+%2B+4x+%2B+6+%3D+0): Solve equation with WolframAlpha -- [`!bangs`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!bangs): _there's so many more..._ - -Lastly, not clearly listed, DuckDuckGo has an _I'm Feeling Ducky_ feature using -just the `!` bang. It will redirect you to the first search result instantly: - -- [`! Coldplay magic`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!+Coldplay+magic) -- [`! jamming cat`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!+jamming+cat) -- [`! timvisee`](https://ddg.gg/?q=!+timvisee) - -I hope you've learned something new and useful to be just that little bit more -efficient using the Firefox QuantumBar. - -[firefox-address-bar]: https://firefox-source-docs.mozilla.org/browser/urlbar/index.html#address-bar -[firefox-change-search-engine]: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/change-your-default-search-settings-firefox -[search-chars-old]: http://kb.mozillazine.org/Location_Bar_search#Location_Bar_search_.28internal_-_Auto_Complete.29 -[search-chars]: https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/address-bar-autocomplete-firefox#w_changing-results-on-the-fly -[proton]: https://wiki.mozilla.org/Firefox/Proton -[duckduckgo]: https://duckduckgo.com/ -[bangs]: https://duckduckgo.com/bangs diff --git a/content/blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/tab-google.png b/content/blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/tab-google.png deleted file mode 100644 index 146ac28..0000000 Binary files a/content/blog/2021-09-07_firefox-tricks-quantumbar/tab-google.png and /dev/null differ