SafeTyper

What does SafeTyper do?

SafeTyper is described in its README as "a browser extension that provides grammar and spelling suggestions powered by AI models through OpenRouter, Groq, or a local Ollama instance. Text is sent only to the provider you select, and only when you run a check."

The extension detects editable fields across the web, places an icon near the field, and runs a check against the model you configured. Changes are shown inline with a visual diff. API keys are stored in the extension's secure storage, with format validation and rate limiting. Chrome and Firefox are both supported, with automated publishing to the Chrome Web Store and the Firefox Add-ons gallery.

Key facts

• Licence: Apache-2.0 on the code. Maintained by Coolify Labs (coollabsio), the team behind Coolify, the open-source self-hosting platform.
• Browsers: Chrome and Firefox. Automated releases trigger on v*.*.* tags.
• Providers: OpenRouter (GPT, Claude, Gemini, Llama), Groq (Llama, Gemma, Mixtral) and local Ollama.
• Local Ollama path: default endpoint http://localhost:11434; the extension needs OLLAMA_ORIGINS to include chrome-extension://*,moz-extension://*.
• Smart caching to reduce API calls and improve response time.
• Adaptive icon positioning for any input field size.
• Keys stored securely in the extension; the extension validates key format and rate-limits requests.
• Built on WXT, Svelte 5, TypeScript, with ESLint and Prettier.
• The project ships a PRIVACY_POLICY.md linked from the README.

What does it replace, and where does it fall short?

SafeTyper replaces Grammarly for the inline grammar-and-spelling check in a browser input field. Its README's one-line description is "A Grammarly alternative, where YOU own what you type on your keyboard."

Where it falls short: it depends on the model you pick, so suggestion quality is the model's, not the extension's. Grammarly's deeper features (tone adjustments, plagiarism checks, team style guides, desktop apps, Microsoft Word plug-ins and mobile keyboards) are not here. The extension does not watch typing in real time; a check is run on demand, which keeps text off the network until you ask. Local Ollama needs OLLAMA_ORIGINS configured, which is a per-OS one-off set-up step the README spells out.

How does SafeTyper run?

Install from the Chrome Web Store or the Firefox Add-ons gallery when published, or load an unpacked developer build during development. From source: bun install, optionally create .env with an API key, then bun run dev or bun run dev:firefox to load the extension in a browser. API keys from OpenRouter or Groq are configured in the extension popup.

For local Ollama, install Ollama, pull a model (ollama pull llama3.1), and set OLLAMA_ORIGINS to allow the extension's scheme. The README gives commands for macOS (launchctl setenv), Linux (systemctl edit ollama), Windows (system environment variable) and running from a terminal (prefixing ollama serve).

Who is SafeTyper for?

A writer who wants grammar and spelling checks inside a browser field without sending the text to a vendor by default, and who already has an OpenRouter or Groq account, or an Ollama server at home. A user who wants Grammarly's one-click tone adjustment, plagiarism checker and desktop apps across Word and email should look at the paid product; those features are not on this list. See the open-source alternatives to Grammarly page for other options like LanguageTool and Harper.

What limits does the README state?

The extension sends text only to the provider the user selects, and only when the user runs a check. Browser extensions use a different origin than localhost, so Ollama returns 403 unless OLLAMA_ORIGINS includes the extension schemes. The Firefox origin includes a per-install id, so a pinned moz-extension:// URL will not match every user, which is why the README recommends the moz-extension://* pattern. Chrome Web Store installs have a stable extension id; unpacked developer builds have a different one, so chrome-extension://* covers both.

Questions people ask

Is SafeTyper open source?

Yes. The code is Apache-2.0, an OSI approved licence. SafeTyper is published by Coolify Labs, the team behind Coolify, an open-source self-hosting platform. The repository has a PRIVACY_POLICY.md linked from the README. CI/CD workflows run lint, format and type checks before building.

Can SafeTyper be used commercially?

Yes. Apache-2.0 allows commercial use, modification and redistribution, with the licence and notice travelling with the code. SafeTyper itself is free to install; model costs are the user's own, through OpenRouter, Groq or a local Ollama server. Nothing goes to Coolify Labs' servers.

Does SafeTyper work offline?

Yes with Ollama selected as the provider. The extension then calls http://localhost:11434 and the model runs on your machine, provided OLLAMA_ORIGINS allows the browser-extension schemes. OpenRouter and Groq are hosted providers and need network access.

How does SafeTyper compare with Grammarly?

Grammarly is a hosted product with inline suggestions, a tone detector, a plagiarism checker, desktop apps and a Microsoft Word plug-in. SafeTyper is a browser extension that calls a model you pick (OpenRouter, Groq or local Ollama) when you run a check, with keys you store. The open-source alternatives to Grammarly page lists it with LanguageTool and Harper, each with its own trade-off.

Which model should I pick inside SafeTyper?

The README does not recommend one. OpenRouter gives access to GPT, Claude, Gemini and Llama models; Groq runs Llama, Gemma and Mixtral quickly; local Ollama keeps the text on the machine but needs the model and the hardware to run it. The choice depends on cost, latency and privacy preference; the smart caching layer reduces repeated calls regardless.

Sources

• SafeTyper README and LICENSE: github.com/coollabsio/safetyper, read 2026-10-26. The README is the source for every feature, provider, Ollama setup command and project-structure note above.
• Project website: safetyper.com, read 2026-10-26.