Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2 beta 1 released!

The first beta release of the next version of Clippings for Thunderbird, the extension from AE Creations that saves frequently-entered text for later pasting into email messages, is now available for testers and early adopters craving the latest and greatest, and are willing to tolerate a few bugs.

Read on to learn more about what's new in Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2, and how to get it!

What's New

• The Clippings context menu is now available for the subject line in the compose window. A clipping can also be added to the message subject using the keyboard shortcut Alt+Shift+S (Ctrl+Option+V on macOS).
• New preset placeholders for the recipient's first name in the To and Cc fields: $[TO_FIRST_NAME] and $[CC_FIRST_NAME]. To fill in these placeholders during pasting, Clippings will ask for permission to access your contacts when using these placeholders for the first time.
• New option for Sync Clippings users to automatically sync when opening Clippings Manager or the New Clipping dialog, ensuring that you're working with the most up-to-date synced clippings. This can be turned on from the Sync Clippings Settings dialog in extension preferences
• The user interface accent color in Clippings Manager, the New Clipping dialog and other dialog boxes and extension pages now uses the system accent color, matching the UI colors in the rest of Thunderbird  

How to Get It

IMPORTANT! If you're already using Clippings and want to try the beta release, back up your clippings first before upgrading.

To install this beta release, head over to the Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2 beta 1 page on GitHub. Look for the link to clippings-tb-7.2b1.xpi, then right-click on it and select Save Link As, then choose a folder location on your system (for example, the Downloads folder). Then follow these step-by-step instructions from the Mozilla Support website to install Clippings in Thunderbird.

Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2 is compatible with Thunderbird 140 and newer.

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

If you find a bug, you may file a bug report on GitHub. Please search the issues list first to confirm that your issue has not already been reported.

Clippings 7.2 beta 1 released!

The first beta release of the next version of Clippings, the extension for Firefox from AE Creations that saves frequently-entered text for later pasting into web page forms, is now available for testers and early adopters craving the latest and greatest, and are willing to tolerate a few bugs.

Read on to learn more about what's new in Clippings 7.2, and how to get it!

What's New

• Multiple clippings can be copied from Clippings Manager or Clippings Sidebar. Select the clippings in the order you want them to appear by clicking while pressing the CTRL key (Command key on macOS) to select clippings one by one, or by clicking while pressing the SHIFT key to select a range, and then right-clicking and selecting Copy Clipping Text
• You can now set the color label of a clipping from Clippings Sidebar
• A label can be set for multiple clippings by CTRL- or SHIFT-clicking the clippings from Clippings Manager or Clippings Sidebar, and then right-clicking and selecting a label from the context menu
• Clippings with a source web address now display a badge on the clipping icon
• New option for Sync Clippings users to automatically sync when opening Clippings Manager, Clippings Sidebar or the New Clipping dialog, ensuring that you're working with the most up-to-date synced clippings. This can be turned on from the Sync Clippings Settings dialog in extension preferences 
• On Firefox 157 and newer, the user interface accent color in Clippings Manager, the New Clipping dialog and other dialog boxes and extension pages is changed to purple, matching the Nova design. This can be turned off from extension preferences

Things You Should Know About

• The version number of this beta release will appear as 7.1.99.1 in Add-ons Manager. 
• Some features may not be available when Firefox is in Private Browsing mode, or if the browser privacy settings are too restrictive.
• While Clippings works on the vast majority of web sites, some are now preventing pasting into text boxes. If pasting doesn't work, copy the clipping from Clippings Manager or Clippings Sidebar by right-clicking on it and selecting Copy Clipping Text. You can then paste the clipping into the web page by selecting Paste from the browser context menu. 

Compatibility

Clippings 7.2 is compatible with Firefox 140 and newer.

Thunderbird users take note: Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2 is also coming soon! Check back soon for news on a beta release.

How to Get It 

IMPORTANT! If you're already using Clippings and want to try this beta release, back up your clippings first before upgrading.

To install this beta release, head over to the Clippings 7.2 beta 1 page on GitHub. Look for the link to clippings-7.2b1.xpi, then click on it and follow the prompts to add it to Firefox.

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

If you find a bug, you may file a bug report on GitHub. Please search the issues list first to confirm that your issue has not already been reported.

 

Updated 8 October 2026: Added new feature: automatic syncing when opening Clippings Manager or the New Clipping dialog.

Monthly update: October 2026

The first beta release of the next version of Clippings is delayed in part because of the new Nova redesign that was recently rolled out in Firefox 157. Besides the rather controversial rounded borders on buttons and browser tabs, the UI accent color has also changed to purple. Suddenly, Clippings -- and indeed, all the Firefox extensions from AE Creations -- now look out of place.

In designing the UI of my extensions, I strive to make them blend in with the rest of the host application, while maintaining distinct details to set them apart. It's a balancing act that has worked out quite well, but is now upended with the release of Firefox Nova. The blue accent color in the extension UI now clash with the purple that is used throughout Firefox. And while I'm not a fan of the rounded borders on buttons, the button shapes in my Firefox extensions appear too squared.

So I'm making a few UI changes in Clippings to improve integration with the new Nova look. Purple will now be the accent color on buttons, checkboxes and radio buttons. I'm experimenting with increased corner rounding of modal dialogs, buttons and menus, but doing so without going overboard. A checkbox option in the extension preferences page will be added to let you bring back the blue accent color if that's preferred.

The goal is to roll out these changes in the next version of Clippings, and testers will get a chance to see them first in a beta release that will be out soon. The UI redesign won't be brought over to Clippings for Thunderbird, as Thunderbird is a separate product with its own UI standards, so changes there will be minimal. 

Read Next 1.6.4 released!

Another minor update for Read Next, the reading list extension for Firefox from AE Creations, has been released and is now available from Firefox Add-ons and the AE Creations website. Read Next 1.6 is compatible with Firefox 128 and newer.

If you already have an older version of Read Next installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Firefox menu, select "Extensions and Themes"), click on the entry for Read Next in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Minor fixes and improvements 

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Read Next should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Monthly update: September 2026

Work on the next version of Clippings continues, with the goal of a first beta release by the end of the month. As always, the beta release and a call for testers will be announced on this blog. Also look for a maintenance release of Read Next in the next few weeks. 

Clippings for Thunderbird 7.1.9 released!

Another minor update for Clippings for Thunderbird, the extension that saves frequently-entered text for later pasting into email messages, has been released and is now available from Add-ons for Thunderbird and the AE Creations website. Compatible with Thunderbird 140 and newer.

If you already have an older version of Clippings for Thunderbird installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Thunderbird menu, click Add-ons and Themes), click on the entry for Clippings for Thunderbird in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Minor fixes and improvements

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings for Thunderbird should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Clippings 7.1.9 released!

Another minor update for Clippings, the Firefox extension from AE Creations that lets you save frequently-entered text for later pasting into web page forms, has been released and is now available from Firefox Add-ons and the AE Creations website. Clippings 7.1 is compatible with Firefox 140 and newer. 

If you already have Clippings installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Firefox menu, select "Extensions and Themes"), click on the entry for Clippings in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Bug fix: Error when pasting a clipping into an email textbox on a website (issue #592)

Things You Should Know About

• Thunderbird Users: This version of Clippings is designed for Firefox and is not compatible with Thunderbird. Get Clippings for Thunderbird, which is compatible with Thunderbird 140 and newer.
  
• Some features may not be available when Firefox is in Private Browsing mode, or if the browser privacy settings are too restrictive.
• While Clippings works on the vast majority of web sites, some are now preventing pasting into text boxes. If pasting doesn't work, copy the clipping from Clippings Manager or Clippings Sidebar by right-clicking on it and selecting Copy Clipping Text. You can then paste the clipping into the web page by selecting Paste from the browser context menu.

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Monthly update: August 2026

Work has begun on the next version of Clippings, the Firefox extension that saves frequently-entered text for pasting later. In addition to behind-the-scenes maintenance, Clippings 7.2 will contain a few improvements, including some much-requested features. Many of these will also be found in Clippings for Thunderbird 7.2.

There will be one more minor update to Clippings 7.1 later this month to fix a bug affecting Firefox. As always, it will be announced here once it's released. 

Monthly update: July 2026

I haven't made much progress on the planned work for the next version of Clippings due to ongoing efforts to get Start Menu for Mac ready for version 1.0. I've just released a Preview Release of this macOS app, and am targeting mid-July for the first public release. Once things settle down with Start Menu for Mac, I hope to dedicate more time on Clippings as well as catch up on maintenance for the other Firefox and Thunderbird extensions from AE Creations.

Leave a Review!

If you're enjoying any of the AE Creations extensions for Firefox and Thunderbird, take a few moments to leave a review on their Firefox Add-ons (AMO) or Add-ons for Thunderbird (ATN) page:

• Clippings: AMO, ATN
• Check Links: ATN
• Read Next: AMO
• Panic Button: AMO

Please refrain from posting support requests or bug reports to the review pages, as I would not be able to answer them from there. Use the GitHub issue tracker for the respective product, or post to the Groups.io forum.

Reminder: Back up your clippings!

Clippings, the extension for Firefox and Thunderbird that saves frequently-entered text for pasting later, is an indispensable tool for daily use, and the clippings that are saved with it are just as valuable, if not more so. It's worth taking a few moments to back up your clippings on a regular basis for safekeeping.

While Clippings itself is stable and robust, there are potentially many other things outside of it that can go wrong:

• your computer might suddenly not turn on anymore;
• your computer's storage may get corrupted due to a hardware issue;
• an operating system update may fail and render your system unusable;
• a virus or malware may wreak havoc on your system or even lock you out unless you pay a ransom to the hacker;
• your Firefox profile might be left in a bad state for any number of reasons;

...and so on. As the old saying goes, anything that can go wrong will go wrong.

Backing up your clippings regularly is the best thing you can do to protect them. It's easy and quick -- just open Clippings Manager, and then select Tools → Backup from the toolbar. Save the backup file to a folder or an external drive set aside for backing up your data.

Back up your clippings from Clippings Manager.

Clippings also has a handy backup reminder feature that will show a notification on a regular basis, reminding you to back up your clippings; you can even control how frequently it appears (daily, every few days, once a week, etc.) from Clippings preferences.

Backup reminder notification.

If you haven't backed up your clippings in a while, or don't remember when it was the last time you did, then it's time to do it. Take a moment now to back up your clippings for safekeeping, and make it a habit! They'll be there when you need it the most, and your future self will thank you.

Clippings for Thunderbird 7.1.8 released!

Another minor update for Clippings for Thunderbird, the extension that saves frequently-entered text for later pasting into email messages, has been released and is now available from Add-ons for Thunderbird and the AE Creations website. Compatible with Thunderbird 140 and newer.

If you already have an older version of Clippings for Thunderbird installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Thunderbird menu, click Add-ons and Themes), click on the entry for Clippings for Thunderbird in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Bug fix: If the option to show only synced items in the Clippings menu is turned on, the New Clipping dialog incorrectly creates a clipping in the root Clippings folder instead of the Synced Clippings folder (issue #262) 

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings for Thunderbird should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Clippings 7.1.8 released!

Another minor update for Clippings, the Firefox extension from AE Creations that lets you save frequently-entered text for later pasting into web page forms, has been released and is now available from Firefox Add-ons and the AE Creations website. Clippings 7.1 is compatible with Firefox 140 and newer. 

If you already have Clippings installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Firefox menu, select "Extensions and Themes"), click on the entry for Clippings in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Bug fix: If the option to show only synced items in the Clippings menu is turned on, the New Clipping dialog incorrectly creates a clipping in the root Clippings folder instead of the Synced Clippings folder (issue #588) 

Things You Should Know About

• Thunderbird Users: This version of Clippings is designed for Firefox and is not compatible with Thunderbird. Get Clippings for Thunderbird, which is compatible with Thunderbird 140 and newer.
  
• Some features may not be available when Firefox is in Private Browsing mode, or if the browser privacy settings are too restrictive.
• While Clippings works on the vast majority of web sites, some are now preventing pasting into text boxes. If pasting doesn't work, copy the clipping from Clippings Manager or Clippings Sidebar by right-clicking on it and selecting Copy Clipping Text. You can then paste the clipping into the web page by selecting Paste from the browser context menu.

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Clippings should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Read Next 1.6.3 released!

Another minor update for Read Next, the reading list extension for Firefox from AE Creations, has been released and is now available from Firefox Add-ons and the AE Creations website. Read Next 1.6 is compatible with Firefox 128 and newer.

If you already have an older version of Read Next installed, it will be updated for you if automatic extension updates are enabled. Otherwise, open Add-ons Manager (from the Firefox menu, select "Extensions and Themes"), click on the entry for Read Next in the list of installed extensions, and then scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Check for Updates.

What's New

• Minor fixes and improvements 

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Read Next should be posted to the AE Creations Help and Support forums, hosted on Groups.io.

Monthly update: June 2026

I'm continuing to focus my attention on Start Menu for Mac, the new customizable app launcher for macOS -- just today, I released version 0.9, a major milestone on the road to version 1.0.

In between learning, research, writing code, testing and troubleshooting for Start Menu for Mac, I've used whatever spare time I can find to think ahead about upcoming work for Clippings and other Firefox and Thunderbird extensions from AE Creations. A bug fix for Clippings will be coming in an update which is planned for release later this month. I'm also planning new features and improvements for the next version of Clippings which is the next project after Start Menu for Mac 1.0 is released.

Start Menu for Mac 0.8.2 released - Testers Wanted!

A beta release of Start Menu for Mac, the new customizable app launcher for macOS from First Letter Software, is now available for testers and early adopters craving the latest and greatest, and are willing to tolerate a few inevitable bugs.

What's New

• Bug fix: Crash on startup if an app that appeared in the Recent Apps menu was uninstalled
• Bug fix: Sluggish UI responsiveness when launching an app that doesn't open a window by default, e.g. Docker
• Bug fix: In System Settings, the Login Items name for Start Menu for Mac shows the developer name, not app name
• Other fixes and improvements

How to Get It

Head over to the Download page on the First Letter Software website and click the download button for your Mac (Apple Silicon or Intel Mac). Save the DMG file, then double-click it and follow the instructions to install.

Testers who have installed the previous beta, version 0.8.1, will need to uninstall it first before installing this release.

Things You Should Know About

• This beta release is available free of charge, but expires 90 days after installation, after which it will stop working.
• If you installed an older beta release, uninstall it first before installing the latest release.

Help and Support

Questions and comments about Start Menu for Mac should be posted to the discussion forum on GitHub.

If you find a bug, you may file a bug report on GitHub. Please search the issues list first to confirm that your issue has not already been reported.

Future Announcements on First Letter Software Products

To keep this blog focused on Firefox and Thunderbird extensions from AE Creations, news and announcements on Start Menu for Mac will be found in the News section of the First Letter Software website.

Introducing Start Menu for Mac: the app launcher for macOS

As far back as 2012 when I made the switch from PC to Mac as my at-home daily driver, I've missed the Start Menu in Windows, where all the applications on my computer were in one place, neatly organized into folders or pinned to the Start Menu itself. I don't like the Launchpad where I have to wade through rows and rows of icons to find my desired app. I've tried a few app launcher apps for macOS, but none comes close to the experience that I wanted.

So, I finally made my own. 

Start Menu for Mac adds a popup menu to the macOS desktop menu bar, where you can find your apps all in one place. Out of the box, the standard macOS apps are organized by app categories. Organize your apps by selecting an app category from the context menu, or use the Organizer for greater control. Your installed apps are always available to browse in the All Apps menu, or click Search to look for an app by name. No more wading through endless rows of icons to find your desired app.
 

Start Menu for Mac is brought to you by First Letter Software, a new brand that I'm using for standalone software, distinct from my Firefox and Thunderbird extensions currently released under the AE Creations name.

Testers Wanted!

Version 0.8.1 is the first public beta release of Start Menu for Mac, aimed at testers, power users and enthusiasts who crave the latest and greatest! Get it from the First Letter Software website at firstlettersoftware.com/startmenu4mac.

Start Menu for Mac is compatible with macOS 13 Ventura and newer, on Apple Silicon and Intel Mac devices.

Things You Should Know About 

• This beta release is available free of charge, but expires 90 days after installation, after which it will stop working.
• Automatic updating is not yet available. Check back at the First Letter Software website for the latest release.

Help and Support 

Questions and comments about Start Menu for Mac should be posted to the discussion forums over at GitHub which is set up to support beta testing.

If you find a bug, you may file a bug report on GitHub. Please search the issues list first to confirm that your issue has not already been reported.