GenLookup: Quick Web Text Explainer

GenLookup is a browser add-on that makes it super easy to understand stuff you find online. It adds a simple "Lookup" button when you right-click on any text you select on a webpage.

What it does:

• You pick some text on a website.

• Right-click, and you'll see a new option: "Lookup".

• Click "Lookup".

• GenLookup sends the text you picked, along with the webpage content to Ollama, along with the model of choice, which is configurable

• The explanation is rendered on a popup, in the least distracting way possible

Prerequisites:

• Ollama needs to be installed and running on your computer (or somewhere else).

• Since I have not launched it on the chrome web store, you need to build and sideload it

How to get it:

1. Download the code for GenLookup.

2. Follow steps for installations: https://github.com/BRO3886/genlookup?tab=readme-ov-file#building-the-extension

3. Install the built extension in your browser

The main idea behind this was to not deviate away from a current blog you're reading where you might want to know more about a certain keyword / phrase in the context of the blog. My end goal for this project is powering it through BYOK Claude and GPT, along with more powerful features, and the aesthetics of Apple's inbuilt "Lookup" feature - the inspiration for this project.

It's a fun little project I made over the weekend. If you liked it please upvote! ⬆️

All ears for feedback 👂 ⬇️