Chrome Extension Setup & Usage Guide

The TeaNovel browser extension is required for importing novels by URL from the supported source sites. It handles content scraping from Chinese web novel sites and sends the data back to the web app. Uploading your own EPUB file (Pro) does not require the extension — see Upload EPUB.

TL;DR — Install the extension and sign in. Dashboard imports can use it without opening the toolbar popup; the popup shows sign-in state and current-tab diagnostics.

What the extension does

On supported novel pages, the extension detects the page and may show a TeaNovel panel. The dashboard SmartImporter can also send import requests to the extension. It:

• Extracts novel metadata (title, author, cover, description) from source sites
• Scrapes chapter content and table of contents
• Sends content back to the TeaNovel web app when you request an import or translation

The content script can run while you visit a supported source page so it can identify the page and present the panel. It sends novel or chapter content to TeaNovel only after you choose an import or translation action, and it does not collect content from unrelated websites.

Install from Chrome Web Store

1. Go to the TeaNovel extension page on the Chrome Web Store (link available in your dashboard)
2. Click Add to Chrome
3. Review the permissions and click Add extension

You can also find the installation link in your dashboard under the SmartImporter section.

Supported browsers

If you use a Chromium-based browser not listed here, it likely works. The extension uses standard Chrome extension APIs.

How it works

When you paste a URL into the SmartImporter:

1. The web app sends the import request to the extension
2. The extension scrapes the content from the source site in the background
3. The scraped data is sent back to the web app
4. The novel or chapter appears in your library

Most imports run in the background. If the source site requires sign-in or presents a CAPTCHA, a source tab may remain open for you to resolve it before continuing.

Permissions

The extension requests access to TeaNovel services and the supported source site domains (JJWXC, Qidian, QDMM, Fanqie, Qimao, Zongheng, and SFACG). It does not request unrestricted access to every website.

Troubleshooting

Extension not detected

If the web app shows "Extension not detected":

1. Open chrome://extensions in a new tab
2. Find "TeaNovel Extension"
3. Make sure the toggle is On
4. Refresh the TeaNovel web app page
5. Try importing again

If it still doesn't work, try removing and reinstalling the extension.

Import stuck at "Connecting to extension"

This usually means the extension isn't responding. Try these steps:

1. Check that the extension is enabled
2. Make sure you're not in incognito mode (extensions are often disabled there)
3. Restart Chrome completely
4. Reinstall the extension

Extension icon not visible

The dashboard SmartImporter does not require you to pin or open the toolbar popup during normal imports. Once the extension is enabled in chrome://extensions, it can respond to the import request automatically. The toolbar popup is available for sign-in state and current-tab diagnostics.

Content not loading from source site

If the extension works but content doesn't import:

• Check if the source site is accessible in your region
• Some sites may block VPNs or certain IP addresses
• Try importing a different novel from the same site to test

For more help, see Import Issues.