A Chrome extension that translates or speaks highlighted text using your own LLM API keys (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Elevenlabs).
Useful if the Chrome Web Store hasn't updated to the latest version yet:
- Download: https://github.com/SethRobinson/UGTBrowser/archive/refs/heads/main.zip
- Unzip the file to a folder
- Enable Developer Mode in Chrome at
chrome://extensions - Load unpacked and select the unzipped folder containing
manifest.json
- Translate - High-quality AI translation that streams in-place and explains cultural context
- Text-to-Speech - Have text read aloud via ElevenLabs or Google Cloud TTS
- Create Lesson - Generate detailed language breakdowns with readings, meanings, and grammar notes
- Follow-up Chat - Ask questions about the translated content
- Highlight text on any webpage
- Right-click and select from the UGTBrowser menu: Translate, Speak, or Create Lesson
- Use the follow-up chat to ask questions about the content
Why did I make this? Because the default translate option in Chrome makes MANY MISTAKES with Japanese to English.
Using the best AI models lets you choose quality over speed - when researching old game blogs and such, it's totally worth it.
I use a text-fragment approach that lets the LLM understand the full context (all fragments are sent at once and in order), but still allows us to do a streaming translation with in-place text replacement that doesn't mess up links and images.
WARNING: This extension is free and open source, but the LLMs actually cost money and generally make you put in a credit card to get an API key and charge per use. So just be aware that it can add up. Try Gemini, for example; the first million tokens per month are free.
Note: I used "UGT" in the name because I might add more game-specific features later, so it's more like its big brother project.
This project was developed with significant assistance from AI tools. I mean, you can still blame me (Seth) for bugs, but I just wanted to mention it.
v2.0.0 (Current)
- Added Text-to-Speech support (ElevenLabs and Google Cloud TTS)
- Added Create Lesson feature for detailed language breakdowns
- Added Follow-up Chat to ask questions about translated content
- Lots of misc tweaks and fixes
v1.0.x
- Initial public release with core translation functionality
API keys and settings are stored locally in your browser only. Nothing is sent except text to your chosen LLM provider. See Privacy Policy.
MIT License - see LICENSE.
Created by Seth A. Robinson - Homepage | Blog | Twitter | Bluesky