AstraWrite

Tracking since Apr 22, 2026.

Changelog

• Apr 26, 2026
  description

  AstraWrite — AI Writing Assistant with Your Own API Key
  
  Write better, faster, and more confidently — without giving up control of your data or your wallet.
  
  AstraWrite is a Chrome extension that brings AI-powered writing assistance directly into any web editor. Unlike subscription-based tools, AstraWrite connects directly to the AI provider of your choice using your own API key. You pay only what you actually use — no monthly seat fee, no vendor lock-in, no data routed through a third-party server.
  
  
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  HOW IT WORKS
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  1. Install the extension and open Settings.
  2. Paste your API key from OpenAI, Google AI, or your own compatible endpoint.
  3. Click inside any text field or editor on any website.
  4. Press Cmd+Shift+Space (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+Space (Windows) — or click the floating button that appears near your cursor.
  5. Select a writing mode, choose a style preset, and apply. Done.
  
  
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  WRITING MODES
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  ▸ Rewrite — Improve clarity, flow, and readability while preserving your meaning.
  ▸ Fix Grammar — Correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling without changing your voice.
  ▸ Shorten — Cut filler, tighten sentences, and get to the point faster.
  ▸ Expand — Add depth, context, and transitions to thin paragraphs.
  ▸ Summarize — Condense long passages into a tight, accurate summary.
  
  Each mode produces multiple outputs side by side so you can compare and pick the version that fits best — or go back and try a different preset.
  
  
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  STYLE PRESETS
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  AstraWrite ships with six built-in presets covering the most common writing contexts:
  
  • Balanced — Natural sentence flow and clear structure. A safe default for most writing.
  • Formal — Polished and composed. Suitable for professional or academic communication.
  • Direct — Assertive, decisive, and low on filler. Cuts straight to the point.
  • Reader-Friendly — Simple vocabulary and smooth flow optimised for easy comprehension.
  • Executive Concise — Leads with the conclusion. Built for decision-maker audiences.
  • Detail-Rich — Expands with concrete detail, fuller context, and cleaner transitions.
  
  Each preset controls tone, vocabulary level, rewrite strength, compression, and expansion depth independently per mode — so "Formal Shorten" and "Formal Expand" behave exactly as you would expect them to.
  
  Coming soon: a Preset Editor that lets you define your own presets from scratch, set traits like tone and vocabulary, and configure each mode's behaviour individually.
  
  
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  SUPPORTED AI PROVIDERS
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  AstraWrite works with three major AI providers today, with more planned:
  
  OpenAI
  • GPT-5.4 Mini (default — cost-efficient for everyday writing tasks)
  • GPT-5.4 (higher quality for demanding work)
  • Supports structured output for reliable, well-formatted results
  • Optional organisation and project ID for multi-team accounts
  
  Google AI (Gemini)
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash (fast, default)
  • Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite (ultra-fast and efficient)
  • Gemini 2.5 Pro (best for complex reasoning)
  • Supports structured output via native schema mode
  
  OpenAI-Compatible Endpoints
  • Connect to any provider that implements the OpenAI chat completions API
  • Supports automatic model discovery from your endpoint
  • Works with local models (Ollama, LM Studio), Azure OpenAI, Mistral, Groq, Together AI, and others
  • Enter a base URL and API key — AstraWrite handles the rest
  
  Anthropic (Claude) support is planned and coming soon.
  
  
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  WORKS EVERYWHERE YOU WRITE
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  AstraWrite detects the active editor automatically. It supports:
  
  • Standard text inputs and textareas (Gmail compose, Linear, Notion, GitHub, Jira, etc.)
  • Rich text editors built on contenteditable (Google Docs, Notion, Confluence, Substack, and more)
  • Any page with an editable field — no site-specific integration required
  
  When you focus an editable field, a small floating button appears near the field. Click it to open the writing panel without disrupting your workflow. You can also trigger the panel with a keyboard shortcut at any time.
  
  
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  UNDO / REDO — FULL CONTROL
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  Every AI change is stored in a local history. Made a rewrite you're not happy with? Hit Cmd+Shift+Z to undo it and restore your original text instantly. Changed your mind again? Cmd+Shift+Y redoes it. You can also undo and redo from the popup without leaving your current page.
  
  
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  PRIVACY — YOUR KEY, YOUR DATA
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  • Your API key is stored locally in Chrome's encrypted extension storage — it never leaves your browser except as part of the direct API call to your chosen provider.
  • AstraWrite does not have its own backend server. There is no AstraWrite account, no cloud sync, and no telemetry.
  • Requests go directly from your browser to the AI provider's API — the same call you would make if you used their official playground.
  • AstraWrite requests only the minimum permissions required: storage (to save your settings) and activeTab (to target the current tab when you invoke the extension).
  
  
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  KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS
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  All shortcuts are configurable in Settings.
  
  Default shortcuts:
  • Open writing panel — Cmd+Shift+Space (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+Space (Windows/Linux)
  • Undo last AI change — Cmd+Shift+Z (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+Z (Windows/Linux)
  • Redo last AI change — Cmd+Shift+Y (Mac) / Ctrl+Shift+Y (Windows/Linux)
  
  
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  WHO IS THIS FOR?
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  AstraWrite is built for people who write as part of their work and want AI assistance that doesn't compromise on privacy, cost transparency, or flexibility.
  
  • Developers writing documentation, PRs, issue descriptions, and Slack messages
  • Product managers drafting specs, OKRs, and stakeholder updates
  • Marketers and content writers who need consistent tone across many platforms
  • Researchers and academics who need to shift register between formal and accessible writing
  • Anyone who already has an OpenAI or Google AI API key and doesn't want to pay for yet another subscription on top of it

  AstraWrite is an AI writing assistant for Chrome that works directly inside the places you already write.
  
  Instead of copying text into a separate app, you can open AstraWrite in a text field, textarea, or many rich-text editors on the web, choose what you want help with, and apply the result right away.
  
  What AstraWrite can help with:
  
  • Rewrite text for clarity and flow
  • Fix grammar, spelling, and punctuation
  • Shorten long drafts
  • Expand thin or unfinished writing
  • Summarize longer passages
  • Translate text into natural English
  
  AstraWrite supports OpenAI, Google AI, and OpenAI-compatible endpoints.
  
  You can choose the provider that fits your setup and use your own API key, so you stay in control of usage and costs.
  
  The writing flow is simple:
  
  1. Add your API key in Settings.
  2. Focus an editable field on a page.
  3. Open AstraWrite with the floating button or press Cmd+Shift+Space on Mac / Ctrl+Shift+Space on Windows and Linux.
  4. Choose a mode, review the result, and apply it.
  
  Built-in presets help you get the tone you want for supported tasks, and local history makes it easy to undo or redo AI-applied changes.
  
  Privacy is a core part of AstraWrite:
  
  • Your API key is stored locally in Chrome
  • AstraWrite does not require an AstraWrite account
  • Requests go directly to the provider you configured
  • AstraWrite does not route your writing through its own backend
  
  If you want AI writing help that feels fast, flexible, and under your control, AstraWrite is built for that workflow.

Permissions & access

Permissions

storageactiveTab

Host access

https://api.openai.com/*, https://api.anthropic.com/*, https://generativelanguage.googleapis.com/*

Screenshots