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Do you use Firefox on multiple platforms and machines? Yes? Than this post if for you.

I’ve already written about Foxmarks the great Firefox add-on that allows you to sync your bookmarks between multiple instances on Firefox (even works across platforms – I use it to sync my Mac and XP versions).

There are two add-ons (FEBE and Cleo) that will allow you to backup your Firefox install and then package your add-ons into a single xpi file. This is great if you want to copy your addons between machines.

To prove it works, i’ve packaged my previous post on a set of Web Developer Add-ons into a single xpi file. It can be installed here.

To set up follow these steps:

1. Install FEBE (Firefox Environment Extension Backup) first. FEBE allows you to quickly and easily backup your Firefox extensions. In fact, it goes beyond just backing up — It will actually rebuild your extensions individually into installable .xpi files. Now you can easily synchronize your office and home browsers. FEBE backs up and restores your extensions, themes, and (optionally) your bookmarks, preferences, cookies. and much more.
2. Install CLEO. CLEO is a Firefox extension that works with FEBE to package any number of extensions/themes into a single, installable .xpi file.Why? Consider this: I, as an extension developer, have several different Firefox profiles. Whenever I start a new extension, I create a new profile for testing, debugging, etc. In this profile, I like to have a dozen or so developer related extensions installed. With CLEO, I can packaged all these extensions together into a single, installable xpi.

   You may have a list of your favorite extensions/themes that you would like to share with others. With CLEO, you can gather them all together into a single file (called, perhaps, “My favorite extensions.xpi”) and post them on a webpage. Others can install the whole batch with a just a couple of clicks!

3. Restart Firefox.
4. Click Tools > FEBE > FEBE Options. Under the ‘Options’ tab choose ‘Selective’ backup and then check the elements that you want to backup.
5. Under the ‘Directory’ tab, choose a destination to back-up to.
6. You can optionally choose a back up period or leave this blank. Once you have completed the options then continue.
7. Click Tools > FEBE > Perform Backup. This will create a backup in the directory which you selected in step 5. Your backup is now complete. You can then continue to package the backup using CLEO.
8. Click Tools > FEBE > CLEO > CLEO options. From here you can select how CLEO will save the xpi file and also the output directory. (you can put this in the same folder as the FEBE backup)
9. Click Tools > FEBE > CLEO > Create cleopack. Give the pack a name.
10. Click ‘Select Items To Package’. By default this will open the last FEBE backup performed.
11. Select the items to package and click Create Cleopack.
12. Thats it, your Cleopack is created.