[GH-ISSUE #69] Can't modify the root bookmark folders -- Implement folder mapping

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:02 +03:00

Owner

Originally created by @1stone on GitHub (Apr 2, 2018).
Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/floccusaddon/floccus/issues/69

Software versions

Browser: Version 65.0.3325.181 (Official Build) (64-bit)
Nextcloud: 13.0.0
Nextcloud Bookmarks app: 0.11.0
Floccus: 2.0.4

Steps to reproduce

Installed extension into chrome
Added account data
Selected "Untitled folder" (root) for the Sync folder
Clicked "Sync now" to perform initial sync.

Expected outcome

Field "Sync folder" should show "/" (After step 3)
Bookmarks should be synced completely

Actual outcome

Field "Sync folder" shows *newly created*, no matter which folder is actually selected.
Sync results in error: Can't modify the root bookmark folders. (3 times)

Remarks

Are there limitations (or special considerations) when fully syncing firefox bookmarks with Chrome on root level?
How is initial sync performed? Browser to server? Server to Browser? Or merged from both sources?

Originally created by @1stone on GitHub (Apr 2, 2018). Original GitHub issue: https://github.com/floccusaddon/floccus/issues/69 ### Software versions * Browser: Version 65.0.3325.181 (Official Build) (64-bit) * Nextcloud: 13.0.0 * Nextcloud Bookmarks app: 0.11.0 * Floccus: 2.0.4 ### Steps to reproduce 1. Installed extension into chrome 2. Added account data 3. Selected "Untitled folder" (root) for the Sync folder 4. Clicked "Sync now" to perform initial sync. ### Expected outcome - Field "Sync folder" should show "/" (After step 3) - Bookmarks should be synced completely ### Actual outcome - Field "Sync folder" shows `*newly created*`, no matter which folder is actually selected. - Sync results in error: `Can't modify the root bookmark folders.` (3 times) ### Remarks - Are there limitations (or special considerations) when fully syncing firefox bookmarks with Chrome on root level? - How is initial sync performed? Browser to server? Server to Browser? Or merged from both sources?

kerem

2026-02-25 22:36:02 +03:00

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kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

I've fixed the sync folder display in yet another release (🙈) just now. Initial sync merges both browser and server, but if you're syncing the whole tree, there should not be any bookmarks on the server initially, because they will end up in the root folder which is not accessible to the end user (it contains the bookmarks bar and the other bookmarks folders). Maybe that's why you're missing some of your bookmarks.

@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): I've fixed the sync folder display in yet another release (:see_no_evil:) just now. Initial sync merges both browser and server, but if you're syncing the whole tree, there should not be any bookmarks on the server initially, because they will end up in the root folder which is not accessible to the end user (it contains the `bookmarks bar` and the `other bookmarks` folders). Maybe that's why you're missing some of your bookmarks.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

Hmm... I suppose that I'm doing something wrong then...
I'm trying to establish a full sync (on root level) between Firefox and Chrome, but from what your are saying ("... end up in the root folder which is not accessible to the end user ...") I assume that this is not actually possible?
Could you give a suggestion how such a "full sync" can be achieved?

Looking at the folder selection dialog, I see the following available folders for

Chrome:

Untitled folder
|- Bookmarks bar
|- Other bookmarks

Firefox (DE locale installation):

Untitled folder
|- Lesezeichen Menü _(EN: bookmark menu)_
|- Lesezeichen-Symbolleiste _(EN: bookmarks bar)_
|- Weitere Lesezeichen _(EN: other bookmarks)_
|- mobile

That looks quite different and is probably the reason why this can't be synced on root level.
But how is this configured correctly then, when at least the following sub-folders should be synced:

Chrome	Firefox
Bookmarks bar	Lesezeichen-Symbolleiste
Other bookmarks	Lesezeichen Menü

Would I need to setup multiple (identitcal) accounts for each single folder sync?

@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): Hmm... I suppose that I'm doing something wrong then... I'm trying to establish a full sync (on root level) between Firefox and Chrome, but from what your are saying (_"... end up in the root folder which is not accessible to the end user ..."_) I assume that this is not actually possible? Could you give a suggestion how such a "full sync" can be achieved? Looking at the folder selection dialog, I see the following available folders for - Chrome: ``` Untitled folder |- Bookmarks bar |- Other bookmarks ``` - Firefox (DE locale installation): ``` Untitled folder |- Lesezeichen Menü _(EN: bookmark menu)_ |- Lesezeichen-Symbolleiste _(EN: bookmarks bar)_ |- Weitere Lesezeichen _(EN: other bookmarks)_ |- mobile ``` That looks quite different and is probably the reason why this can't be synced on root level. But how is this configured correctly then, when at least the following sub-folders should be synced: | Chrome | Firefox | |---------|---------| |Bookmarks bar|Lesezeichen-Symbolleiste| |Other bookmarks|Lesezeichen Menü| Would I need to setup multiple (identitcal) accounts for each single folder sync?

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

I assume that is the problem. For now, it's only possible to sync one root folder per browser, sadly. Multiple identical accounts would probably not work either, because they would all sync to the same nextcloud account and thus merge your different folders into one. Folder mapping is not yet implemented, but is on the todo list.

@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): I assume that is the problem. For now, it's only possible to sync one root folder per browser, sadly. Multiple identical accounts would probably not work either, because they would all sync to the same nextcloud account and thus merge your different folders into one. Folder mapping is not yet implemented, but is on the todo list.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

Uhh... ok,
So if I understand that correctly, there needs to be a single, distinct folder (on root level) that can be synced throughout different browsers.
Referring to my situation above, I would be able to sync either my "bookmarks bar" or "other bookmarks", but not both between Chrome and Firefox.

Please confirm or suggest otherwise:
To be able to sync all my bookmarks between browsers, I would need to consolidate them into a single root-folder location, so effectively either the "bookmarks bar" or "other bookmarks".

@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): Uhh... ok, So if I understand that correctly, there needs to be a single, distinct folder (on root level) that can be synced throughout different browsers. Referring to my situation above, I would be able to sync **either** my "bookmarks bar" **or** "other bookmarks", but not both between Chrome and Firefox. Please confirm or suggest otherwise: To be able to sync **all** my bookmarks between browsers, I would need to consolidate them into a single root-folder location, so effectively either the "bookmarks bar" or "other bookmarks".

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

You're correct. As long as there's no configurable folder mapping this is the only way, I'm afraid.

@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): You're correct. As long as there's no configurable folder mapping this is the only way, I'm afraid.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018):

@marcelklehr : I would like to give this some additional remarks, that may serve as feedback or motivation to you.

For me, this is currently a killer issue/feature.
Like many others, I've used Xmarks to synchronize my bookmarks between different browsers.
AFAIK it has been the only service, that is

free
feature rich
working flawlessly (most of the time)
respects privacy by encrypting your cloud stored data (at least as long as you trust the build-in encryption)

With it's termination on 1st May 2018, many users - like me - will have trouble to find a suitabale repacement, because non of the existing alternatives provide the same level of quality/cost/privacy.
See this ongoing discussion ond Reddit for details.

I always would have preferred a self-hosting solution over a (commercial) cloud service, because of privacy concerns. Basically every service is claiming their rights to sell this data to third parties in their licensing terms, which is unacceptable to me.
Unfortunately, I found absolutely no solution that would sync browser bookmarks via a private service.

In that context, I'm thrilled to see that you are actively developing browser extensions to realize just that. Using Nextcloud as the central service fits my use case, although I would have preferred basic WebDAV for that - which would give more flexibility on the server side.

Unfortunately, this project isn't quite there yet to allow the same level of "full bookmarks synchronisation" as Xmarks does. With the "folder mapping" feature, this sounds possible, but it is probably too far away to come in time before the Xmarks shutdown...?

Please don't get me wrong. I very much appreciate your work, prompt responses/patches and your effort you put into this. You have a unique extension here, that will probably become a lot of attention the next weeks and months, once Xmarks finally shuts down and no feasible replacements being available.
Unfortunately, I've no skills in regards of browser plugin development that would allow me to contribute my part, but I'll stay focused on this and continue testing.

👍

@1stone commented on GitHub (Apr 3, 2018): @marcelklehr : I would like to give this some additional remarks, that may serve as feedback or motivation to you. For me, this is currently a killer issue/feature. Like many others, I've used Xmarks to synchronize my bookmarks between different browsers. AFAIK it has been the only service, that is - free - feature rich - working flawlessly (most of the time) - respects privacy by encrypting your cloud stored data (at least as long as you trust the build-in encryption) With it's termination on 1st May 2018, many users - like me - will have trouble to find a suitabale repacement, because non of the existing alternatives provide the same level of quality/cost/privacy. See [this ongoing discussion ond Reddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/firefox/comments/6jr527/xmarks_bookmark_sync_alternatives/) for details. I always would have preferred a self-hosting solution over a (commercial) cloud service, because of privacy concerns. Basically every service is claiming their rights to sell this data to third parties in their licensing terms, which is unacceptable to me. Unfortunately, I found absolutely no solution that would sync browser bookmarks via a private service. In that context, I'm thrilled to see that you are actively developing browser extensions to realize just that. Using Nextcloud as the central service fits my use case, although I would have preferred basic WebDAV for that - which would give more flexibility on the server side. Unfortunately, this project isn't quite there yet to allow the same level of "full bookmarks synchronisation" as Xmarks does. With the "folder mapping" feature, this sounds possible, but it is probably too far away to come in time before the Xmarks shutdown...? Please don't get me wrong. I very much appreciate your work, prompt responses/patches and your effort you put into this. You have a unique extension here, that will probably become a lot of attention the next weeks and months, once Xmarks finally shuts down and no feasible replacements being available. Unfortunately, I've no skills in regards of browser plugin development that would allow me to contribute my part, but I'll stay focused on this and continue testing. :+1:

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@BrainPonders commented on GitHub (Apr 8, 2018):

I'm on the exact same page as @1stone explains in his last message.

I cannot support in the development but I can make a donation. Hopefully more will follow when xmarks went on black.

@BrainPonders commented on GitHub (Apr 8, 2018): I'm on the exact same page as @1stone explains in his last message. I cannot support in the development but I can make a donation. Hopefully more will follow when xmarks went on black.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 8, 2018):

@1stone Thank you for taking the time to explain your background and the current situation in this field. I'm confident that folder mapping will be possible within the next month or so, but I can't promise anything, of course. It's ready when it's ready :)

@eRJe79 Thanks for chiming in and also for supporting this project ✨ :)

@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (Apr 8, 2018): @1stone Thank you for taking the time to explain your background and the current situation in this field. I'm confident that folder mapping will be possible within the next month or so, but I can't promise anything, of course. It's ready when it's ready :) @eRJe79 Thanks for chiming in and also for supporting this project :sparkles: :)

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@BrainPonders commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2018):

You're welcome! Thanks for all the effort you put in this project.

For now I have just moved my "other bookmarks" folder to the toolbar and only sync that folder with Floccus. It's actually a very acceptable workaround for me.

@BrainPonders commented on GitHub (Apr 9, 2018): You're welcome! Thanks for all the effort you put in this project. For now I have just moved my "other bookmarks" folder to the toolbar and only sync that folder with Floccus. It's actually a very acceptable workaround for me.

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (May 9, 2018):

You can now configure the server path to sync to in floccus v2.2.0 :)

@marcelklehr commented on GitHub (May 9, 2018): You can now configure the server path to sync to in floccus v2.2.0 :)

kerem commented

2026-02-25 22:36:03 +03:00

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@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Mar 21, 2023):

This issue has been automatically locked since there has not been any recent activity after it was closed. Please open a new issue for related bugs.

@github-actions[bot] commented on GitHub (Mar 21, 2023): This issue has been automatically locked since there has not been any recent activity after it was closed. Please open a new issue for related bugs.

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[GH-ISSUE #69] Can't modify the root bookmark folders -- Implement folder mapping #68

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Steps to reproduce

Expected outcome

Actual outcome

Remarks