TL;DR
Hover is a browser extension that shows IDE-like hover documentation when you mouse over code on web pages. The project is published on GitHub, builds with bun, supports OpenRouter or a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint, and is slated for a Chrome Web Store listing in the future.
What happened
A public GitHub project called Hover offers a browser extension that displays documentation popups when users hover over code on web pages, aiming to reproduce the inline help experience common in IDEs. The repository provides build instructions keyed to the bun toolchain, steps to load the extension in Chrome via developer mode (pointing to the dist_chrome folder), and configuration options for an OpenRouter API key or a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint. Users can limit the extension to specific sites using URL patterns. The codebase includes scripts for development, building, linting, formatting and packaging, plus supplementary files that list known issues and planned improvements (TASKS.md) and privacy practices (PRIVACY.md). The project is released under the MIT license and is hosted at Sampsoon/hover on GitHub, where it has received community attention. A Chrome Web Store listing is mentioned as forthcoming.
Why it matters
- Brings IDE-style inline documentation to arbitrary web pages, potentially speeding code comprehension on docs and chat interfaces.
- Supports AI-backed documentation via configurable endpoints, enabling use with OpenRouter or compatible services.
- Site-scoped configuration via URL patterns lets users control where the overlay runs.
- Repository includes privacy and task documents, giving visibility into data handling and planned improvements.
Key facts
- The extension shows documentation when hovering over code on web pages.
- Works on documentation sites and AI chat apps including ChatGPT and Claude (as mentioned in the repository).
- Build and development use bun; commands include bun install, bun run build and bun run dev.
- To test locally, load the extension in Chrome via chrome://extensions → Enable Developer Mode → Load Unpacked → select the dist_chrome folder.
- API configuration requires adding an OpenRouter API key or pointing to a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint in the extension settings.
- You can restrict where the extension runs by setting URL patterns (for example, *://*.github.com/*).
- The repo contains TASKS.md for known issues and planned improvements and PRIVACY.md for data handling details.
- The project is released under the MIT license and is available at Sampsoon/hover on GitHub (public repository).
- Optional: developers can add VITE_OPEN_ROUTER_API_KEY to a .env to embed an API key into dev builds.
What to watch next
- A Chrome Web Store listing is mentioned as coming soon, but an exact release date or listing link is not provided in the source (not confirmed in the source).
- Ongoing work and fixes are tracked in TASKS.md; specific timelines or prioritized items are not enumerated in the repository (not confirmed in the source).
- Any updates to privacy practices or data handling will appear in PRIVACY.md; the repository does not state when updates might be published (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Browser extension: A small software module that adds features or functionality to a web browser.
- API key: A secret token used to authenticate requests to a remote service or API.
- OpenRouter: Named in the repository as an integration option; generally refers to a service or gateway for routing API requests (generic definition).
- URL pattern: A string pattern used to match and restrict which web pages a browser extension will run on.
- bun: A JavaScript/TypeScript toolchain referenced in the project for installing dependencies and running build and development commands.
Reader FAQ
Is Hover available in the Chrome Web Store now?
The repository states the extension is coming to the Chrome Web Store soon and will be linked when available.
How do I install and run the extension locally?
Build with bun (bun install && bun run build), then load the dist_chrome folder via chrome://extensions in Developer Mode.
How do I configure the AI backend used by the extension?
Open the extension settings and add an OpenRouter API key or configure a custom OpenAI-compatible endpoint as instructed in the repository.
Where can I find information about data handling and privacy?
The repository includes a PRIVACY.md file detailing data handling practices.
When will new features or fixes land?
Not confirmed in the source.
Hover Hover over code on any webpage to see documentation. Like your IDE, but everywhere. Works on documentation sites and AI chat apps like ChatGPT and Claude. Setup Note: This…
Sources
- Show HN: Hover – IDE style hover documentation on any webpage
- How To Create Image Hover Overlay Effects
- hover – CSS – MDN Web Docs – Mozilla
- Enabling Hover Styles – Developers Documentation
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