Installing Lightning Add-On on Thunderbird

Question

I attempted to install The Lightning plugin for Thunderbird. I do this by going to Tools -> Add-ons. I search for Lightning and click "Add to Thunderbird". Then I get a popup asking me if I want to open or save this .xpi file. If I click open, then Thunderbird opens a new email address with the .xpi file attached. If I click save, then try to double click it, it again opens as an email in Thunderbird. How do I install this dang thing?!

I attached two screenshots for clarification.

Solution 1

After download .xpi file, open Thunderbird.

Open the Add-ons Manager ( Tools -> Add-ons )

Just drag the .xpi file from nautilus, and drop it in the Add-ons Manager, then it should start installing.

Solution 2

Since Thunderbird version 60, Lightning is integrated in Thunderbird and no longer just an add-on.

But, unfortunately, for now, on Linux you still need to install the package separately. Hopefully this won't be the case for long...

So here is how to get the Lightning calendar on Thunderbird >= v60 if it was not installed directly along with Thunderbird:

If you have/had lightning already as an add-on, start with step 1. If you newly install Thunderbird or did not have Lightning installed as an add-on before, start at step 3.:

1. In Thunderbird go to Tools > Add-ons > Extensions
2. Remove the Lightning add-on (don't worry, your calendar configurations will not disappear).
3. Close Thunderbird
4. Open a terminal and enter: apt-get install xul-ext-lightning (you might need sudo ...)
5. Launch Thunderbird again and you should be good to go.

Comments

[astrob0t]

can you try to drag and drop the xpi file from nautilus onto thunderbird's add-ons screen?

[Selah]

ahh hah! yes I can, that worked! If you want to add this as an answer I will mark it as an answer. Thanks.