Mozilla Firefox 138 revamps address bar with new search controls and command support

Mozilla Firefox 138 introduces a redesigned address bar, prioritizing improved speed and user experience for daily browsing. The update introduces a new search button that allows users to quickly switch between their preferred search engines and modes without leaving the address bar.

For users who rely on in-bar actions, Firefox now preserves the original search query in the address bar even after a search is performed, no longer overwriting it with the URL of the results page. Users can invoke shortcuts such as @bookmarks, @tabs, @history, and @actions to search across their own data types.

Command entry is also improved, typing phrases like “clear history,” “open downloads,” or “take a screenshot” in the address bar now triggers browser actions directly. Search suggestions include contextual buttons like “search this site” or “switch to tab” to save clicks. Secure URLs hide “https://” by default, unless the connection is insecure.