Page Assist: Integrate Local AI Models Directly into Your Web Browser

Introduction

Page Assist is an innovative open-source browser extension designed to integrate your locally running AI models directly into your web browsing experience. Developed in TypeScript, this tool empowers users to interact with their AI models from any webpage, offering a seamless way to get assistance, summarize content, or engage in conversations. With support for major Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Brave, and Edge, as well as Firefox, Page Assist brings the power of local AI to your fingertips while prioritizing user privacy.

Installation

Getting started with Page Assist is straightforward, offering both direct browser store installations and a manual setup for developers.

Browser Extension Stores

You can easily install Page Assist from your preferred browser's add-on store:

• Chrome Web Store
• Firefox Add-on
• Edge Add-on

Manual Installation

For those who prefer to build from source or contribute, follow these steps:

Prerequisites:

• Bun: Installation Guide
• Ollama (Local AI Provider): Installation Guide
• Any OpenAI API Compatible Endpoint (e.g., LM Studio, llamafile)

Steps:

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/n4ze3m/page-assist.git
   cd page-assist

2. Install dependencies:

   bun install

3. Build the extension (builds for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox by default):

   bun run build

4. Load the unpacked extension in your browser's extension management page (e.g., chrome://extensions for Chrome, about:addons for Firefox), selecting the build directory.

Examples

Page Assist offers two primary interfaces for interaction:

• Sidebar: Accessible on any webpage via a context menu or the default shortcut Ctrl+Shift+Y. This sidebar allows you to interact with your AI model and view results directly alongside your browsing content.
• Web UI: A dedicated web interface that opens in a new tab, similar to a ChatGPT website. You can launch it by clicking the extension icon or using Ctrl+Shift+L.
• Chat With Webpage: A powerful feature that enables you to ask questions and discuss the content of the current webpage with your local AI model.

The extension also supports various keyboard shortcuts to enhance productivity, which can be customized in your browser's extension settings.

Why Use Page Assist?

Page Assist stands out for several compelling reasons:

• Local AI Integration: It allows you to harness the power of local AI models like Ollama, Chrome AI (Gemini Nano), or any OpenAI API compatible endpoint, keeping your data on your machine.
• Enhanced Privacy: The project emphasizes privacy, stating that it does not collect any personal data. All information is stored locally in your browser, and the open-source nature allows for full transparency and verification.
• Seamless Browsing Experience: By integrating AI directly into your browser, Page Assist provides immediate assistance without needing to switch applications or copy-paste content.
• Open Source and Community Driven: Being open-source, Page Assist benefits from community contributions, ensuring continuous improvement and feature development.
• Broad Browser Support: It supports a wide range of browsers, making it accessible to a large user base.

Links

• GitHub Repository: n4ze3m/page-assist
• Official Documentation: Page Assist Docs
• Join the Community on Discord: Page Assist Discord
• Follow on Twitter: @page_assist