How to Use Local AI in Firefox in 2026 Without Moving to Another Browser

Description and use

Firefox users can query local AI via a sidebar using the OGAD desktop app, keeping traffic local.

Enable local AI interaction within Firefox without switching browsers.

Users can query local AI models directly from a Firefox sidebar, keeping all traffic local and avoiding external services.

Install OGAD desktop app and download a local text model.
Keep OGAD running during browser chat.
Clone the browser-extension repo and build the Firefox version: git clone https://github.com/off-grid-ai/browser-extension.git cd browser-extension git checkout 970fec49e2a630a3e1f419c1fc86df241891d40c npm install npm run build:firefox
Load the temporary add‑on in Firefox: open about:debugging#/runtime/this-firefox, click Load Temporary Add‑on, select dist/firefox/manifest.json.
Open the extension from the toolbar, select the local text model, and ask a short question to verify connection.
Enable "Use page" to extract readable text from the current page and ask a task‑specific question (e.g., list setup steps).
If needed, pair with OGAD via extension Settings > Desktop and approve the six‑word prompt.
Troubleshoot: if sidebar disappears, restart Firefox and reload the add‑on; if no model listed, check OGAD active model; if reply stops, verify desktop connection.

Install OGAD, download a local text model, and activate it. Keep OGAD running during browser chat.

The extension extracts readable text from the current page. Check the answer against the page before following it.

If the sidebar is present but no model is listed, check OGAD and its active model.