FAQ - Life-Experimentalist/NovelSynth GitHub Wiki

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

🔍 General Questions

What is NovelSynth?

NovelSynth is an AI-powered browser extension that enhances your reading experience by improving text quality, creating summaries, and providing content analysis. It works on fiction sites, news articles, technical documentation, and more.

Which browsers are supported?

NovelSynth works on:

  • Chrome (88+)
  • Firefox (85+)
  • Edge (88+)
  • Brave (Chromium-based)
  • Opera (Chromium-based)

Is NovelSynth free?

The extension itself is free, but you need an API key from an AI provider:

  • Google Gemini: Generous free tier, paid plans available
  • OpenAI: Pay-per-use pricing
  • Future providers: More options coming soon

How does NovelSynth protect my privacy?

  • Local Processing: Your API keys are stored locally in your browser
  • No Cloud Storage: We don't store your content or API keys
  • Direct API Calls: Content goes directly to AI providers, not through our servers
  • Encrypted Storage: API keys are encrypted in browser storage

🚀 Getting Started

How do I get an API key?

For Google Gemini (Recommended):

  1. Visit Google AI Studio
  2. Sign in with your Google account
  3. Create a new API key
  4. Copy and paste into NovelSynth settings

For OpenAI:

  1. Visit OpenAI Platform
  2. Create an account and add billing information
  3. Generate a new API key
  4. Copy and paste into NovelSynth settings

Why isn't NovelSynth working on a website?

Common causes:

  • Permissions: Extension may not have permission for that site
  • Content Protection: Some sites block content selection
  • Page Structure: Complex page layouts may interfere
  • JavaScript Conflicts: Other extensions may conflict

Solutions:

  1. Refresh the page
  2. Check extension permissions
  3. Try selecting different content
  4. Disable other extensions temporarily

How do I select text properly?

Best Practices:

  • Select complete sentences or paragraphs
  • Avoid selecting UI elements (buttons, menus)
  • Include enough context (100+ words work best)
  • Select clean text without formatting artifacts

🎨 Features and Usage

What's the difference between enhancement types?

  • Grammar Enhancement: Fixes errors, improves clarity
  • Creative Enhancement: Adds descriptive language, improves style
  • Professional Enhancement: Business-appropriate tone and structure
  • Academic Enhancement: Formal, scholarly writing improvements

Can I undo enhancements?

Yes! NovelSynth always preserves the original text:

  • Version History: See all previous versions
  • One-Click Undo: Restore original instantly
  • Selective Undo: Revert specific changes
  • Compare View: Side-by-side original and enhanced

How long should selected text be?

Optimal Length: 100-2000 words

  • Too Short (<50 words): Limited context for quality enhancement
  • Too Long (>3000 words): May hit API limits or processing timeouts
  • Sweet Spot: 200-800 words for best results

Can I enhance multiple selections at once?

Yes! Use batch processing:

  1. Hold Ctrl/Cmd while selecting multiple text blocks
  2. Choose your enhancement type
  3. Process all selections simultaneously
  4. Review each enhancement individually

🔧 Technical Issues

Why are my API requests failing?

Common Causes:

  • Invalid API Key: Check if key is correctly entered
  • Rate Limits: Too many requests too quickly
  • Quota Exceeded: Monthly/daily limits reached
  • Network Issues: Internet connection problems

Solutions:

  1. Verify API key in provider dashboard
  2. Wait a few minutes and try again
  3. Check usage limits in provider account
  4. Test internet connection

The extension popup won't open

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Refresh Page: Reload the current page
  2. Restart Browser: Close and reopen browser
  3. Check Permissions: Ensure extension has required permissions
  4. Reinstall Extension: Remove and reinstall if needed

Enhancement quality is poor

Improvement Tips:

  • Select More Context: Include surrounding paragraphs
  • Check Content Type: Ensure correct content type is detected
  • Try Different AI Provider: Switch between Gemini and OpenAI
  • Adjust Enhancement Level: Try deeper enhancement settings
  • Custom Prompts: Create specialized prompts for your content

Floating panel is not visible

Solutions:

  • Check if Minimized: Click the corner tab to expand
  • Browser Zoom: Reset zoom to 100%
  • Screen Resolution: Panel adapts to screen size
  • Extension Permissions: Verify site permissions

💰 Pricing and Limits

How much does it cost to use?

Google Gemini (Free Tier):

  • 15 requests per minute
  • 1 million tokens per day
  • Sufficient for casual use

OpenAI Pricing:

  • GPT-3.5 Turbo: ~$0.002 per 1K tokens
  • GPT-4: ~$0.03 per 1K tokens
  • Typical enhancement: 1000-3000 tokens

What happens if I exceed rate limits?

  • Automatic Retry: NovelSynth waits and retries
  • Queue System: Requests are queued automatically
  • Clear Messages: You'll see status updates
  • No Data Loss: Your requests won't be lost

Can I monitor my usage?

Yes, in multiple ways:

  • Extension Stats: Built-in usage tracking
  • Provider Dashboard: Check your AI provider's usage page
  • Monthly Reports: Track costs and usage patterns

🌐 Website Compatibility

Which fiction sites work best?

Fully Supported:

  • Archive of Our Own (AO3)
  • FanFiction.Net
  • Wattpad
  • Royal Road
  • Most WordPress-based fiction sites

Partially Supported:

  • Sites with complex layouts may require manual text selection
  • Mobile-optimized sites work with some limitations

Does it work with PDF files?

Currently, NovelSynth works with web content only. PDF support is planned for future releases. Workarounds:

  • Copy and Paste: Copy PDF text to a text editor
  • Online PDF Viewers: Use web-based PDF viewers
  • Browser PDF Reader: Works with browser's built-in PDF viewer

Can I use it on subscription sites?

Yes, if you have legitimate access to the content:

  • Subscription Sites: Works with sites you have access to
  • Paywalls: Doesn't bypass payment requirements
  • DRM Content: Respects content protection measures

🛠️ Customization

How do I create custom prompts?

  1. Settings Tab: Open NovelSynth settings
  2. Custom Prompts: Navigate to prompt editor
  3. Choose Feature: Select feature to customize
  4. Edit Template: Modify the prompt template
  5. Test: Use sample content to test
  6. Save: Apply your custom prompt

Can I save different configurations?

Yes! NovelSynth supports:

  • Profile Settings: Different configs for different use cases
  • Site-Specific: Save preferences per website
  • Content-Type Specific: Different settings for fiction vs. technical content
  • Export/Import: Share configurations with others

How do I adjust enhancement strength?

Enhancement Levels:

  • Light: Minimal changes, preserves original style
  • Standard: Balanced improvements (recommended)
  • Deep: Comprehensive enhancement with more changes

Fine-Tuning:

  • Style Sliders: Adjust creativity, formality, conciseness
  • Custom Prompts: Specify exact enhancement requirements
  • Provider Selection: Different AI providers have different styles

🤝 Community and Support

Where can I get help?

  • Documentation: Check our comprehensive wiki
  • Community Forum: Ask questions and share tips
  • GitHub Issues: Report bugs and request features
  • Discord Server: Real-time community support

How do I report bugs?

  1. Check Known Issues: Review existing bug reports
  2. Gather Information: Note browser, extension version, steps to reproduce
  3. GitHub Issues: Submit detailed bug report
  4. Include Logs: Share any error messages or console logs

Can I contribute to development?

Absolutely! We welcome:

  • Bug Reports: Help us find and fix issues
  • Feature Requests: Suggest new functionality
  • Code Contributions: Submit pull requests
  • Documentation: Improve guides and tutorials
  • Testing: Help test new features

How do I request new features?

  1. Check Roadmap: See if feature is already planned
  2. Community Discussion: Discuss with other users
  3. GitHub Feature Request: Submit formal request
  4. Upvote Existing: Support existing feature requests

🔮 Future Development

What features are coming next?

Upcoming Features:

  • More AI Providers: Anthropic Claude, local LLMs
  • PDF Support: Direct PDF enhancement
  • Mobile Apps: Native mobile applications
  • Collaboration: Shared enhancement workflows
  • Advanced Analytics: Detailed quality metrics

Will there be a mobile version?

Yes! Mobile support is in development:

  • Mobile Web: Browser extension for mobile browsers
  • Native Apps: Dedicated mobile applications
  • Cross-Platform: Sync settings across devices

How often is NovelSynth updated?

  • Major Releases: Every 2-3 months
  • Bug Fixes: As needed, usually within days
  • Security Updates: Immediate for critical issues
  • Feature Updates: Monthly for new capabilities

🔗 Still Need Help?

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