Firefox-Accounts

[Last updated 18 October 2013]

What Is Firefox Accounts?

The identity team set out to fix sync. In doing so, the first thing we did is built a proper account system. We built this account system on top of Persona protocols. The account system was initially very narrowly defined as precisely what we needed to build sync.

As it turns out, the "key server" portion of the sync project is a very general and well architected system that is highly compatible with a single account system for mozilla (and even external) services.

With sync, we were initially targeting Firefox Desktop and Firefox for Android. As things have progressed, there are features desired by FirefoxOS that map very well to the current Firefox Accounts design.

So yes, Firefox Accounts is not just sync anymore.

Firefox Accounts on Firefox OS

We are currently focused on how to implement Firefox Accounts in FirefoxOS. This is a collaborative effort working closely with TEF engineers.

Our current line of thought is below and a work-in-progress:

• High level document with background and goals: https://id.etherpad.mozilla.org/fxa-on-fxos
• Lower level document with concrete distinct components: https://id.etherpad.mozilla.org/fxa-on-fxos-madrid
• Architectural diagram: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B0Az-aXpSyQJZ2xCdWRwWTNoRDQ/edit?usp=sharing&pli=1
• Branch: https://github.com/lloyd/gaia
• UX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/eao8d36gkygvv3c/spec_ffos_fte_jgruen_10_18_13.pdf

Team

Chris Karlof - Desktop & Android Lead

• IRC: #picl
• sync-dev@mozilla.org
• Engineering: Brian Warner, Danny Coates, Zach Carter

Jed Parsons - FXOS & Native Lead

• IRC: #native_identity
• List: dev-fxacct@mozilla.org
• Engineering: Shane Tomlinson, Sam Penrose
• UX: John Gruen