WriteTrace — Writing Process Replay for Google Docs

Tracking since Apr 16, 2026.

Changelog

• Jun 5, 2026
  description

  Replay the complete writing history of any Google Doc — see every keystroke, detect large paste events, and identify potential AI-generated content. WriteTrace is the modern alternative to Draftback, with paste detection, evidence export, and a clean interface.
  
  Free tier: 5 documents per month. Pro: unlimited documents + PNG evidence export from $1.99/mo.
  
  
  HOW IT WORKS
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  1. Open any Google Doc in your browser
  2. Click the WriteTrace button that appears on the page
  3. Watch the document being written from scratch — keystroke by keystroke
  4. Review statistics: total revisions, typed vs pasted characters, paste ratio
  5. (Pro) Export a PNG evidence summary with timeline and statistics
  
  
  FEATURES
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  ✓ Full Writing Replay
  Watch any Google Doc being written from the first keystroke. Control playback speed (1x, 2x, 4x) and scrub through the timeline to any point.
  
  ✓ Paste & AI Detection
  Automatically flags large text insertions above a configurable threshold. Color-coded timeline markers show exactly when paste events occurred.
  
  ✓ Revision Statistics
  See total revisions, typed characters, pasted characters, paste percentage, active writing time, and more — all at a glance.
  
  ✓ Smart Timeline
  Visual timeline with color-coded markers for paste events. Long pauses (30+ minutes) are compressed so you see the writing flow, not the waiting.
  
  ✓ Evidence Summary Export (Pro)
  Generate a one-click PNG report showing writing timeline, paste events, and authorship statistics. Perfect for teachers reviewing student submissions.
  
  ✓ Configurable Threshold
  Set your own "large insertion" threshold (default: 50 characters). Adjust sensitivity for different use cases.
  
  ✓ Minimal Permissions
  Only accesses Google Docs pages. Does not read other tabs, track browsing history, or collect personal data. All analysis happens locally in your browser.
  
  
  WHO IS THIS FOR?
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  Teachers & Professors: Verify student work authenticity by replaying the writing process. Detect copy-paste and AI-generated submissions with timestamped evidence.
  
  Editors & Publishers: Understand an author's writing process. See how a document evolved from outline to final draft.
  
  Content Managers: Audit freelancer deliverables. Confirm content was originally written, not copied or AI-generated.
  
  Writers & Researchers: Review your own writing process. Track productivity patterns and identify your most productive writing sessions.
  
  
  PRICING
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  Free: 5 documents per month. Includes full replay, paste detection, and statistics.
  
  Pro ($9.99/year or $1.99/month): Unlimited documents + PNG evidence export + priority support.
  
  
  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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  Q: How does WriteTrace access revision history?
  A: WriteTrace reads the revision data that Google Docs already stores for every document. This is the same data behind Google Docs' built-in "Version history" feature.
  
  Q: Can I use it on documents I don't own?
  A: Yes, as long as you have view access. WriteTrace works with any Google Doc you can open.
  
  Q: Does it work with Google Workspace?
  A: Yes. Works with personal Google accounts and Google Workspace accounts.
  
  Q: What data does WriteTrace collect?
  A: None. Document content and revision data are processed entirely in your browser and never leave your device. The only network request is license verification for Pro users.
  
  Q: How is this different from Draftback?
  A: Draftback is no longer actively maintained. WriteTrace adds paste/AI detection, evidence export, a modern UI, configurable thresholds, and active development — at a fraction of the price.
  
  
  PRIVACY & SUPPORT
  ---------------------------------------------------
  
  Privacy Policy: https://extpilot.com/privacy/writetrace/
  Website: https://extpilot.com/writetrace/
  Support: [email protected]
  
  We do NOT use Google Analytics or any third-party tracking.
  We do NOT collect your browsing data or document content.
  All analysis happens locally in your browser.
  
  WriteTrace is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.

  WriteTrace replays the writing history of a Google Doc so teachers, editors, and content reviewers can inspect how a document was created.
  
  Open a Google Doc, click the WriteTrace button, and review the writing timeline from the first revision to the final text. WriteTrace highlights large text insertions, summarizes revision statistics, and helps reviewers distinguish gradual writing from sudden pasted or AI-assisted blocks.
  
  WHAT WRITETRACE DOES
  
  1. Replay Google Docs writing history
  Watch the document rebuild over time and move through the timeline with playback controls.
  
  2. Detect large insertions
  WriteTrace flags large text insertions above a configurable threshold. The default threshold is 50 characters, and reviewers can tune it in Settings.
  
  3. Review writing statistics
  See revision count, active writing time, final length, large insertion count, and other document-level evidence.
  
  4. Use faster replay controls
  Choose standard replay speeds up to 64x or enter a custom replay speed for longer documents.
  
  5. Export evidence summaries
  Pro users can create a PNG evidence summary with the writing timeline, document statistics, and highlighted insertion evidence.
  
  6. Keep document content local
  Document content and revision data are processed in the browser. WriteTrace does not upload document text or revision history to a server.
  
  WHO USES WRITETRACE
  
  Teachers and professors:
  Review student writing process evidence and inspect sudden text insertions before making an academic judgment.
  
  Editors and publishers:
  Understand how a draft evolved and review author workflow patterns.
  
  Content managers:
  Audit contractor or team deliverables and inspect whether a document was built gradually.
  
  Writers and researchers:
  Review your own writing process and understand productivity patterns across drafts.
  
  PRO ACCESS
  
  WriteTrace includes a 14-day Pro trial tied to an account email. Pro access unlocks the replay workspace and PNG evidence export. After the trial ends, users can upgrade or activate a license from the replay window or Settings.
  
  PRIVACY
  
  WriteTrace processes Google Docs revision data locally in the browser. The extension uses account email only for trial, license activation, and support. It does not upload document content or browsing history.
  
  SUPPORT
  
  Website: https://extpilot.com/writetrace/
  Privacy Policy: https://extpilot.com/privacy/writetrace/
  Support: [email protected]
  
  WriteTrace is not affiliated with or endorsed by Google.

• May 17, 2026
  host_permissions

  https://docs.google.com/*, <all_urls>

  https://docs.google.com/*, https://extpilot-growth-tracking.hellopipichong.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

Permissions & access

Permissions

activeTabstoragealarms

Host access

https://docs.google.com/*, https://extpilot-growth-tracking.hellopipichong.workers.dev/*, <all_urls>

Screenshots