Selection translation
Translate highlighted text with one click, without leaving the page. It is designed for reading across a range of languages while you browse.
ColibotAI
ColibotAI is a Chrome extension for translating, summarizing, and explaining web text with Chrome's on-device AI or your own provider key. Free, no-account, privacy-first.
Overview
ColibotAI is a Chrome browser extension for translating, summarizing, and explaining web text directly in the page you are reading. It is built around a privacy-first workflow: you can use Chrome's built-in on-device AI, or bring your own provider key when you want to use external models.
The extension is designed for reading and study tasks as much as for everyday browsing. You can select text and act on it in one step, translate whole pages in place, summarize long articles at different depths, and ask follow-up questions without reselecting the original text.
ColibotAI also adds a notes workflow for saving generated results and reusing them later. Support pages and the roadmap describe a free core product, local key storage, no tracking, and optional support through donations rather than paid feature unlocks.
Features
Summarization tools
Condense longer passages into the essentials, with a separate whole-page summarize action and adjustable depth for short, medium, or long summaries.
Text explanation and follow-ups
Get contextual explanations for difficult text, with support for follow-up questions so you can keep the same context instead of starting over.
Hybrid AI engine
Use Chrome's built-in AI when available, or connect your own provider key. ColibotAI also supports OpenAI-compatible local or custom endpoints such as Ollama, LM Studio, and llama.cpp.
Notes and token-saving reuse
Save results in a notes side panel, then search, annotate, export, and reuse them later. The extension can also reuse near-identical answers to avoid extra model calls.
Workflow and interface tools
Open a floating Quick Translate panel, translate an entire page in place, and watch answers stream in as they are generated. The interface also supports light and dark modes and EN/IT localization.
Use cases
Read across languages
Select a passage and translate it without opening a separate app or tab. This fits reading foreign-language articles, docs, or snippets while staying in the browser.
Study or review long pages
Turn a long article into a shorter summary, then choose a Short, Medium, or Long output depending on how much detail you need.
Work through dense material
Ask for an explanation of a difficult paragraph, then continue with a follow-up question while the original text remains in context.
Build a personal reference library
Save a useful answer in Notes, then search, annotate, export, or reuse it later instead of redoing the same lookup.
Choose the model and runtime
Use a local model or your own API key when you want a specific provider or a fully local OpenAI-compatible endpoint instead of Chrome's built-in AI.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Offers both on-device AI and bring-your-own-key modes, so users can choose between privacy, cost, and model choice.
- Supports core reading workflows such as translate, summarize, explain, page translation, and follow-up questions in one extension.
- Includes notes, search, annotation, and export for saving useful outputs instead of treating each answer as disposable.
- Uses token-saving reuse for near-identical text, which can avoid repeat model calls.
- States a no-account, no-tracking approach and says the extension is free.
Cons
- On-device AI coverage depends on Chrome's built-in models, so language support and behavior can vary by browser capability.
- Using your own provider key means your selected text is sent to the provider you choose, rather than processed locally.
- The roadmap notes that some items are planned or exploratory, so not every described improvement is available yet.
FAQ
How do I get started with ColibotAI?
Install the Chrome extension from the Chrome Web Store, then either enable Chrome's on-device AI or add your own API key in Settings and choose a model. After that, select text on any page and pick an action.
Does ColibotAI store or share my data?
No. In on-device mode, text stays on your computer. In your-key mode, selected text is sent directly from your browser to the provider you chose, and ColibotAI has no backend that stores it.
Is ColibotAI free?
Yes. The extension itself is free, and on-device AI is free too. If you use your own API key, you pay the provider directly for usage.
What languages are supported?
The homepage says translation covers a wide range of languages. On-device coverage depends on Chrome's built-in models, while your own key can support any language your chosen model supports.
Which AI providers can I use?
ColibotAI lists OpenAI, Anthropic (Claude), Google (Gemini), and OpenRouter, plus local or custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints such as Ollama, LM Studio, and llama.cpp.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Chrome extension
- Platform
- Chrome
- Primary use
- Translate, summarize, and explain web text
- AI modes
- On-device AI or user-provided provider key
- Supported providers
- OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, OpenRouter, and local/custom OpenAI-compatible endpoints
- Pricing
- Free extension; optional donations; provider usage billed by the user's own AI account if applicable
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