Quick Start Guide for New Translators

TeaNovel helps you read Chinese web novels in English using AI translation. Import novels from supported Chinese platforms, upload your own EPUB files (Pro), translate chapters, and read them in a clean, customizable reader.

TL;DR — Sign up → install Chrome extension → paste a JJWXC or Qidian URL into the SmartImporter → translate → read. Takes about 5 minutes. On the Pro plan you can instead upload an EPUB file — no extension needed (Upload EPUB).

What you'll need

Before you start, make sure you have:

  • A TeaNovel account. Sign up at read.teanovel.com with your email (a one-time verification code), Google, Discord, or Twitter/X
  • Google Chrome — Only needed if you import novels by URL. The browser extension works in Chrome and Chromium-based browsers (Edge, Brave, Arc). Pro users uploading an EPUB file don't need it.

Step 1: Create your account

Go to read.teanovel.com and sign up. You can use:

  • Email (a one-time verification code — there are no passwords)
  • Google account
  • Discord account
  • Twitter/X account

Free accounts include 1,000 translation credits per month, enough for several chapters depending on length.

Step 2: Install the Chrome extension

The TeaNovel extension scrapes novel content from source sites. You need it to import novels.

  1. Open the TeaNovel extension page on the Chrome Web Store
  2. Click Add to Chrome
  3. Confirm the installation

The extension runs in the background. You will not see a popup interface. It activates automatically when you import novels through the web app.

For detailed installation help, see Use the Extension.

Step 3: Import your first novel

  1. Find a novel on a supported site (see Finding Sources)
  2. Copy the novel's URL from your browser address bar
  3. Go to your TeaNovel dashboard
  4. Paste the URL into the SmartImporter input box
  5. Click Import

The extension scrapes the novel's metadata and chapter list from the seven supported sites (JJWXC, Qidian, QDMM, Fanqie, Qimao, SFACG, Zongheng). Within seconds, the novel appears in your dashboard.

For the full import workflow, see Translate with URL. To import a book you own as an EPUB file instead, see Upload EPUB (Pro).

Step 4: Translate a chapter

  1. Click on your imported novel to open it
  2. Select a chapter from the list
  3. Click the Translate button
  4. Watch the translation stream in real-time

Translation uses AI with streaming, so text appears as it's generated. Credits are deducted only after the translation completes successfully.

Step 5: Read in the reader

After translation, you're taken directly to the reader. From here you can:

  • Navigate chapters using the arrow buttons
  • Customize appearance (via the settings panel: font size, line height, width, theme)
  • Give feedback on translations using the feedback button

Your reading progress syncs across devices automatically.

For more reader features, see Reader Basics.

Next steps

  • Translate a whole book at once — Use Translate All on the book page (Starter and Pro). See Batch & Translate All.
  • Upload your own EPUB — Import books you own as EPUB files (Pro). See Upload EPUB.
  • Review terminology — Browse the engine's extracted names and terms as they appear. See Terminology Basics.
  • Export your translations — Pro users can export to TXT or EPUB with translated metadata and cover. See Export TXT/EPUB.
Last updated on October 8, 2026
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