A Python script to import Arc browser history into Firefox's SQLite database, making your Arc browsing history available in Firefox's address bar autocomplete and history view.

• ✅ Imports Arc browser history to Firefox's places.sqlite database
• ✅ Preserves visit counts and timestamps
• ✅ Enables address bar autocomplete for imported URLs
• ✅ Handles duplicate URLs gracefully
• ✅ Calculates proper frecency scores for Firefox's ranking algorithm
• ✅ Supports dry-run mode for testing
• ✅ Comprehensive error handling and validation

• Python 3.6 or higher
• Arc browser's StorableArchiveItems.json file
• Firefox profile's places.sqlite file (Firefox must be closed during import)

1. Clone or download this repository
2. No additional dependencies required (uses only Python standard library)

python exporthistory.py <arc_json_path> <firefox_places_path>

Import from default Arc location to Firefox:

python exporthistory.py ~/Library/Application\ Support/Arc/StorableArchiveItems.json \
    ~/Library/Application\ Support/Firefox/Profiles/xyz123.default/places.sqlite

Import from custom locations:

python exporthistory.py /path/to/arc/data.json /path/to/firefox/places.sqlite

Dry run (test without importing):

python exporthistory.py --dry-run ~/Library/Application\ Support/Arc/StorableArchiveItems.json \
    ~/Library/Application\ Support/Firefox/Profiles/xyz123.default/places.sqlite

macOS:

~/Library/Application Support/Arc/StorableArchiveItems.json

Windows:

%APPDATA%\Arc\User Data\Default\StorableArchiveItems.json

macOS:

~/Library/Application Support/Firefox/Profiles/<profile-id>.default/places.sqlite

Windows:

%APPDATA%\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\<profile-id>.default\places.sqlite

Linux:

~/.mozilla/firefox/<profile-id>.default/places.sqlite

To find your Firefox profile ID:

1. Open Firefox
2. Go to about:profiles in the address bar
3. Look for the "Root Directory" path of your default profile

⚠️ Firefox must be completely closed before running the import script to avoid database locking issues.

⚠️ Backup your Firefox profile before running the script (copy the entire profile folder).

⚠️ Restart Firefox after the import to see changes in address bar autocomplete.

1. Parses Arc Data: Reads the StorableArchiveItems.json file and extracts URL, title, and timestamp information
2. Validates Files: Ensures both input and output files exist and are accessible
3. Calculates Frecency: Computes Firefox's frecency score based on visit count and recency
4. Updates Database: Inserts or updates records in Firefox's moz_places and moz_historyvisits tables
5. Handles Duplicates: Avoids creating duplicate visit records

The script works with Firefox's Places database schema:

• moz_places: Stores URL information, titles, visit counts, and frecency scores
• moz_historyvisits: Stores individual visit records with timestamps

Key fields populated:

• frecency: Score used by Firefox for autocomplete ranking
• typed: Indicates URL should appear in typed URL suggestions
• hidden: Set to 0 to ensure URLs appear in autocomplete
• url_hash: Performance optimization hash

"Firefox places.sqlite file not found"

• Make sure Firefox is closed
• Verify the profile path is correct
• Check that the file is named places.sqlite

"Arc JSON file not found"

• Verify the path to your Arc data file
• Check file permissions

"SQLite error"

• Ensure Firefox is completely closed
• Check if the database file is corrupted
• Try backing up and restoring your Firefox profile

"Import completed but no autocomplete"

• Restart Firefox completely
• Clear Firefox's autocomplete cache (about:config → browser.urlbar.autocomplete.enabled)
• Wait a few minutes for Firefox to rebuild its indexes

If you encounter issues:

1. Run with --dry-run first to validate your data
2. Check the error messages for specific issues
3. Ensure Firefox is completely closed before running
4. Try with a fresh Firefox profile to test

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details.

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit a Pull Request.

Pavel Galaton

This tool modifies Firefox's internal database. Use at your own risk and always backup your Firefox profile before running the script.