Parts of this page show the use of the XPInstall API. The majority of this API is now deprecated and as of Gecko 1.9 no longer available. Extension, Theme, and plug-in developers must switch away from install.js based packages to the new packaging scheme with an install.rdf manifest. In particular plugin developers should see how to package a plugin as an extension.

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<RDF xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/02/22-rdf-syntax-ns#"
     xmlns:em="http://www.mozilla.org/2004/em-rdf#">
  <Description about="urn:mozilla:install-manifest">
    <!-- properties -->
  </Description>
</RDF>
Cross-Platform Install (XPInstall) is a technology used by Mozilla Application Suite, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird and other XUL-based applications for installing extensions. An XPI (pronounced "zippy" and derived from XPInstall) installer module is a ZIP file that contains an install script or manifest (entitled install.js or install.rdf) at the root of the file.

Documentation

XPInstall API Reference
XPInstall API Reference.
Learn XPI Installer Scripting by Example
This article uses the installer script from browser.xpi install package as the basis for discussing XPI installations in general.
Creating XPI Installer Modules
This article describes the packaging scheme of the Mozilla and offers a tutorial for creating a new package that can then be redistributed, installed, and made available to users.
Install Wizards (aka: Stub Installers)

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