README.md

---
pretty_name: OFFDIGITZ (formerly Nova Browser)
license: mpl-2.0
tags:
- android
- geckoview
- browser
- kotlin
- webextensions
- ai
---

# OFFDIGITZ 🦎⚡

> **This project has been renamed OFFDIGITZ.** The active repo is
> [Offlin33er/offdigitz-browser](https://huggingface.co/datasets/Offlin33er/offdigitz-browser)
> (v1.0.0). This repo holds the v0.8.0 rename point and earlier history.

**Not a conventional browser.** OFFDIGITZ is a chrome-less, unrestricted GeckoView browser whose entire interface is a **command palette** — with a built-in **AI assistant**.

## What makes it different

### 1. Chrome-less by design
No URL bar. No toolbar row. No tab strip. Content is edge-to-edge, full screen. One floating **⌘** button summons the command palette — everything routes through it:

- Type anything → **Go to …** / **🔍 Search DuckDuckGo** / **🤖 Ask AI**
- `New tab` · `Close current tab` · `Reload page` · `Open tab tray` · `Add-ons manager` · `Dev console` · `Clear console` · `Ask AI` · `AI settings`
- A thin loading bar hugs the top edge — that's the only persistent indicator.

### 2. Unrestricted defaults (deliberately unlike mainstream browsers)
| Restriction | Conventional browsers | OFFDIGITZ |
|---|---|---|
| Tracking protection / content blocking | ON by default | **OFF** — no ContentBlocking policy configured |
| Extension permission prompts | Dialog per install | **Auto-granted** (`AUTO_GRANT_PERMISSIONS = true` in `BrowserActivity`; flip to `false` to restore prompts) |
| `about:config` | Hidden/blocked | **Enabled** — full engine configuration surface |
| Remote debugging | Off | **Always on** — desktop Firefox DevTools via `about:debugging` |
| DevTools (Eruda) | None | **Injected into every page** |

**Engine-level limit (not embedder-fixable):** Gecko validates add-on signatures at install time — unsigned `.xpi` installs are refused by the engine regardless of app settings. Privileged extensions ship inside the APK (OFFDIGITZ's dev console does exactly that).

### 3. Real WebExtensions
- Bundled `devconsole@offdigitz` (privileged, `ensureBuiltIn`) — Eruda in every page, console logs bridged to the native screen
- AMO installs: `.xpi` URL or add-on page URL → `WebExtensionController.install()` → Gecko validates Mozilla signature → permissions auto-granted in unrestricted mode
- Add-ons manager: list, enable/disable, uninstall

### 4. Built-in AI (⌘ → Ask AI)
- Full chat screen; anything typed in the palette can be sent straight to the AI via the **🤖 Ask AI** row
- **Two backends**, chosen in AI settings:
  - **Hugging Face** — models like Llama via `router.huggingface.co/v1` + your HF token
  - **Any OpenAI-compatible API** — OpenAI, Groq, or Ollama on your own PC (base URL + key)
- Keys are stored **only on your device** (SharedPreferences) and sent only to the endpoint you choose

### 5. Developer console, three layers
1. **Eruda** in-page inspector (console / DOM / network)
2. **Native console screen** via native messaging (`⌘ → Dev console`)
3. **Remote debugging**: desktop Firefox DevTools (`about:config` also enabled)

## Versions

| Version | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 0.1.0 | GeckoView shell, tabs, bundled dev-console extension, remote debugging |
| 0.2.0 | Tab tray, session restore, VIEW-intent handling |
| 0.3.0 | Loading bar, live URL sync, back/fwd states, history autocomplete |
| 0.4.0 | Add-ons manager + native console screen |
| 0.5.0 | AMO installs + permission flow (superseded pre-release) |
| 0.6.0 | **The pivot: chrome-less ⌘ palette + unrestricted defaults** |
| 0.7.0 | Built-in AI (Ask AI chat, HF + OpenAI-compatible backends) |
| **0.8.0** | **Renamed to OFFDIGITZ** (launcher label, palette/AI headers, extension id, applicationId `com.offdigitz.browser`) |

## Which APK to install

In [`apk/`](apk/):

| File | Use |
|---|---|
| `offdigitz-0.8.0-arm64-release.apk` | **Most modern phones** — small, optimized |
| `offdigitz-0.8.0-universal-release.apk` | Any device |
| `offdigitz-0.8.0-debug.apk` | Debug build with all ABIs |

Release builds are debug-signed (installable for testing). The renamed app installs as a new app (`com.offdigitz.browser`) alongside any earlier Nova install.

## Build it

1. [Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio) (2024.2+) → clone this repo → sync.
2. `curl -L -o app/src/main/assets/devconsole/eruda.min.js https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/eruda/eruda.min.js`
3. Run ▶ (minSdk 26).

## Dependency pins (cloud-build verified)

| Dependency | Version |
|---|---|
| `org.mozilla.geckoview:geckoview` | `147.0.20260212191108` |
| AGP / Gradle | 8.9.1 / 8.11.1 |
| Kotlin | 2.2.21 + built-in Compose compiler plugin |
| Compose BOM | 2024.09.03 |
| minSdk / compileSdk | 26 / 36 |

## Layout

```
app/src/main/java/dev/nova/browser/   (internal package path; app identity is com.offdigitz.browser)
  BrowserActivity.kt          — chrome-less shell, ⌘ FAB, unrestricted runtime config
  CommandPalette.kt           — the primary UI: commands, navigate, search, Ask AI
  AiChat.kt                   — AI settings store, OpenAI-format client (HF router + compatible), chat + settings screens
  TabManager.kt               — sessions, persistence/restore, history, extension registry
  TabTray.kt                  — tab management (via palette)
  ExtensionManagerScreen.kt   — add-ons: list, toggle, uninstall, AMO install
  ConsoleScreen.kt            — full dev console
app/src/main/assets/devconsole/
  manifest.json               — privileged built-in extension (devconsole@offdigitz)
  eruda-loader.js             — Eruda injection + console bridge
  background.js               — extension background script
```

## Honest notes

- **Auto-granted permissions are a real security trade-off** — that's the point of the product, but it means installed add-ons get what they ask for without a gate. One constant (`AUTO_GRANT_PERMISSIONS`) flips prompts back on.
- Session restore is URL-level (no scroll/state capture yet).
- Release builds are debug-signed and not R8-minified.
- Eruda exposes page internals — you chose unrestricted; mainstream browsers deliberately don't.
- The internal Kotlin package path is still `dev.nova.browser` (invisible); a cosmetic package-directory rename is a future pass.

## License

MPL-2.0.