Getting Started with VoxyFlow
Learn how to install, configure, and use VoxyFlow — your browser-based ecosystem for seamless translation and language learning.
Quick Installation
Install the VoxyFlow extension from the Chrome Web Store in one click. It is lightweight and requires no registration.
Choose Your AI Engine
VoxyFlow is 100% free and uses a Bring-Your-Own-Key (BYOK) model for ultimate privacy. Select your preferred provider:
DeepL API (Recommended)
RecommendedLightning-fast context translation. The DeepL API Free tier gives you 500,000 characters per month at no cost. Ideal for daily reading.
Get DeepL API KeyOpenRouter (Advanced LLMs)Advanced
Connect to top-tier AI models like Gemini 2.5 Flash, Claude 3.5, or DeepSeek for complex translation of entire sentences.
Get OpenRouter API KeyOllama (Local Offline AI)Offline
Run open-source neural networks locally on your machine (e.g., translategemma:2b). 100% private and works fully offline.
By default, Ollama blocks requests from extensions (CORS). You MUST enable access by running the following commands:
macOS: In Terminal, run `launchctl setenv OLLAMA_ORIGINS "*"` and restart Ollama completely.
Windows: Add a User Environment Variable named `OLLAMA_ORIGINS` with the value `*` and restart Ollama.
Value: *
Linux: Run `sudo systemctl edit ollama.service`, insert `Environment="OLLAMA_ORIGINS=*"` under the `[Service]` section, and restart the service.
Configuration
First, you need easy access. Click the puzzle piece icon 🧩 in Chrome, find VoxyFlow, and click the pin icon 📌 to keep it visible on your toolbar.
Now click the pinned VoxyFlow icon to open quick settings. Paste your API key, select your AI model, and hit 'Save'.
Three Translation Modes
Read uninterrupted with flexible visual modes built right into the page:
Hover Mode: Hold the hotkey and just hover your mouse over an unfamiliar word. The translation appears instantly.
Selection Mode: Highlight a phrase or paragraph and activate translation. A popover opens with audio and an option to save the card.
PDF & Context Menu: Right-click highlighted text and choose 'Translate with VoxyFlow'. Perfect for complex document formats.
Control Center (Keyboard)
Keep your hands on the keyboard. VoxyFlow is designed for zero-latency interactions to keep you in the flow.
Global Trigger Shortcuts
Actions Inside the Translation Window
Dashboard: Flow & Word Bank
Everything you translate can become your learning base. Manage your vocabulary via the convenient side panel:
Manual Translator: Type text manually. Turn on 'Send to Flow' to automatically save your queries.
Flow Stream: A live journal of your translations. Records are saved along with the original context sentence.
Smart Word Bank: The extension sorts single words and phrases into different tabs for easier review.
Anki
Export to Anki: Download a CSV file with your words and context sentences for direct import into your decks.
Quizlet
Import to Quizlet: Just copy the specially formatted text to your clipboard and paste it when creating a module.
Under the Hood
The extension's architecture protects your API limits and ensures instant responses:
Smart 3-Level Caching
In-memory and IndexedDB for 14 days. Repeated translations load instantly and for free.
API Block Protection
Circuit Breaker automatically pauses requests during network failures, saving your key from spam bans.
Smart Language Detection
For short words, the plugin checks the page's 'html lang' attribute to prevent confusion.
Gentle LLM Handling
To prevent token drain, hover mode is disabled for heavy AIs, and timeouts are extended.