I don't know why Firefox makes you do it this way but you do not need an extension. For example, go to Yandex.com then click on the address/search bar. On the bottom of the pop up you will be able to add Yandex as a search provider.

It's dumb. But it doesn't need any extensions or config changes.

Change browser.urlbar.update2.engineAliasRefresh to true then go to Settings -> Search -> Search Shortcuts (at the bottom) -> Add. No extension needed. :)

Firefox-dev lets you run custom extensions. They just updated the GUI tho. It's all customizable now.

These results are bad

i haven't seen the AI stuff at all, idk if it's just not a thing in my region or maybe ublock just blocks it by default?

Doesn't need an extension. Just add it and then put it at the top of the list.

waterfox (current, not classic) is pretty good for running custom unsigned addons, and said addons don't have to be restricted by the webextensions API either if you really wanna go ham on customizing

Can't you just block the AI bit with uBlock?

it's amazing how much worse the experience of using a phone or computer is than just 5 years ago (when it was already pretty bad compared to 5 years before)

we're on an exponential doom curve, the only winning move is to pitch your gizmos into the sea

No, but I'm not sure, it would help. I'd really like to dns block made-for-advertising sites. They have exploded because of AI. One would need to create an index of them like there already are for ads, pornography and gambling. I'm talking about the blogs full of long AI articles and pictures on every conceivable obscure topic.