Chrome Extension That Translates Highlighted Text

Highlight text on any page, get an instant translation in a tooltip.

ai-toolsbeginner#translation#language#reading
PlugThis prompt
Build a Chrome extension called "Selection Translator" that translates highlighted text on any webpage. The extension should: (1) detect when the user highlights any text on a webpage using a content script, (2) show a small "Translate" icon next to the selection, (3) when clicked, display a tooltip showing the translated text in the user's chosen target language, (4) translate using the Google Translate free endpoint OR allow the user to paste their own DeepL API key, (5) provide an options page where the user chooses target language and translation provider. Save preferences to chrome.storage. Permissions: storage, activeTab. Host permissions: <all_urls> for the content script, plus the translation endpoints. Manifest V3.

What this extension does

Translates any highlighted text on any webpage to the user's chosen target language. The translation appears in a small tooltip near the selection. Supports 50+ languages.

How it works

A content script listens for selection events and injects a "Translate" icon near the selection. On click, the script sends the selected text to the translation endpoint and renders the result in a styled tooltip with shadow DOM isolation.

Permissions used: storage, activeTab

Host permissions: <all_urls>

Who builds this

For language learners, multilingual readers, researchers reading non-native sources, and anyone who routinely encounters foreign-language content while browsing.

How to build it in 3 minutes

  1. Sign in to PlugThis and open the chat input.
  2. Copy the prompt above and paste it into the chat.
  3. PlugThis generates the full Manifest V3 extension in 60-90 seconds.
  4. Download the zip, extract it, and load it via chrome://extensions developer mode.

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Paste the prompt above into PlugThis and ship your extension in 3 minutes.