Getting Started

Getting Started

This guide will walk you through installing Hover Translate, getting a free DeepL API key, and verifying the extension works.

1. Install the extension

1. Open the Hover Translate listing on the Chrome Web Store.
2. Click Add to Chrome, then confirm in the dialog.
3. The Hover Translate icon appears in the Chrome toolbar when installation finishes.

Developer install (optional)

If you prefer to run the extension from source — to try unreleased changes or contribute — clone the repository, run pnpm install and pnpm build, then load the generated dist/ directory via chrome://extensions/ → Developer mode → Load unpacked.

2. Get a free DeepL API key

1. Visit DeepL API plans.
2. Sign up for the DeepL API Free plan.
3. After signup, open your DeepL account settings.
4. Locate the API Keys section and copy your key.

Note: DeepL Free requires a credit card for verification, but usage under 500,000 characters per month is not billed.

About the DeepL Free quota

DeepL Free gives you up to 500,000 characters per month at no cost. The quota resets automatically at the start of each billing period, based on your signup date anniversary. No payment is needed. If you hit the limit, just wait until the next cycle and the extension resumes working. You can check your current usage and next reset date at deepl.com/account/usage.

3. Connect your key

1. Click the Hover Translate extension icon to open the popup.
2. In the Setup section, paste the key into DeepL API Key.
3. Click Save.
4. Click Test.
5. Confirm that the popup shows Connection verified.

4. Turn it on and pick a mode

1. In the Translate section, switch the extension to ON.
2. Choose a mode:
   • Hover — translate the nearest paragraph automatically when you hover over it.
   • Selection — translate only the text you highlight. When Selection is active, a second switch appears to choose between Shortcut (Alt+Shift+T) and Auto (translate on mouse release).
3. Open any normal web page with English or Japanese text and try your chosen mode.
4. A translation tooltip appears next to the source text.

If the tooltip does not appear or the popup reports an error, continue with the Troubleshooting guide.