Anytime I search for an addon via the search box in settings > add-ons manager I get all these theme results. Here is a search for "syntax" (via the add-ons manager) I had to make it very zoomed-out to fit long page into screen cap:
I use themes personally to visually differentiate between profiles. And I have nothing against fun and frivolous user customizations. Am not hating on the concept.
I am curious about why they are so aggressively pushed so that they show up be default when trying to search for add ons you need to toggle off every time. Searching for an add-on to do something and searching for a theme that has some keyword included seem to me like totally different tasks and mixing them up is a strange choice.
Is this like a major things firefox thinks people like about it? Do people like it?
how often do you install add-ons?
lots! I love add ons. I have dozens of them installed but I disable whatever I'm not currently using. I usually have about 5-10 active at a time. I go for the simple, single use ones ala "unix philosophy" when able because I feel they don't eat up resources and present less security risk.
They're so convenient for random little tasks. Like a while ago I had to use this webpage that made you check boxes individually for every single item... like >60 check boxes. I have an addon that lets you bulk select and check boxes. Very rarely needed but great to have.
And I have certain groups of add ons that I use for specific tasks. When I am conducting research I have an addon for zotero, to avoid pay walls, the way back machine, singlefile and other record-keeping tools. Bulk file downloaders; which you need several of because they don't all work for every situation. Also more advanced history and bookmark interfaces. Don't need them most of the time.
Firefox is so great about allowing add-ons, it turns it into a powerful tool for all kinds of niche use-cases. I wish it would have a more sophisticated way to manage them. However also I am aware that I'm an unusual user so