How to Summarize Articles with 100% Local AI
Learn how to use TLD2's local AI capabilities to summarize web articles without sending any data to the cloud. This complete privacy-focused approach keeps all processing on your device while delivering high-quality summaries.
What You'll Learn
- How to install and set up TLD2 for local AI summarization
- Using Chrome's built-in AI vs. Gemini API
- Configuring summary length and quality settings
- Understanding privacy and offline capabilities
Step 1: Install TLD2 Extension
Download from Chrome Web Store
Visit the TLD2 Chrome Web Store page and click "Add to Chrome".
Requirements: Chrome 120+ or any Chromium-based browser (Edge, Brave, etc.)
lightbulb Pro Tip
Pin the TLD2 extension to your toolbar for quick access. Right-click the extension icon and select "Pin".
Step 2: Navigate to Any Article
Open the Article You Want to Summarize
TLD2 works with most article-based web pages including:
- News websites (CNN, NYTimes, Medium, etc.)
- Blog posts and long-form content
- Academic papers and research articles
- Documentation and technical guides
Step 3: Activate TLD2 Summarization
Three Ways to Summarize
Method 1: Click the TLD2 extension icon in your browser toolbar
Method 2: Right-click anywhere on the page → Select "TLD2 - Summarize Article"
Method 3: Use keyboard shortcut (configurable in settings)
Step 4: Review Your Summary
View Summary in Sidebar
The TLD2 sidebar opens automatically showing:
- Streaming text: Summary appears word-by-word with smooth animation
- Audio playback: Optional text-to-speech narration (auto-plays by default)
- Quick actions: Copy summary, share article, adjust settings
Understanding Local AI vs. Cloud AI
TLD2 offers two summarization modes:
🔒 Local AI Mode (Default)
- 100% Private: All processing happens on your device
- No Internet Required: Works completely offline
- Free Forever: No API costs or usage limits
- Uses: Chrome's built-in AI Summarizer API
☁️ Cloud AI Mode (Optional)
- Enhanced Quality: Uses Google's Gemini 2.5 Flash Lite model
- Requires API Key: Free tier available from Google AI Studio
- Internet Required: Article text sent to Google servers
- Best For: Complex technical articles or when highest quality is needed
privacy_tip Privacy Recommendation
For sensitive content (medical, legal, financial), always use Local AI mode. Your data never leaves your computer.
Configuring Summary Settings
Click the settings icon in the sidebar to customize:
Summary Length
- Short: 100-200 words (30-60 second read)
- Medium: 200-400 words (1-2 minute read)
- Long: 400-600 words (2-3 minute read)
Voice & Speech Settings
- Choose from multiple neural voices
- Adjust playback speed (0.5x - 2x)
- Fine-tune pitch for natural sound
- Enable/disable auto-play
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I summarize articles without an internet connection?
Yes! TLD2's local AI mode works completely offline using Chrome's built-in AI capabilities. No internet connection required for summarization or text-to-speech.
How is local AI summarization different from cloud-based tools?
Local AI processes everything on your device. Your article content never leaves your computer, ensuring complete privacy. Cloud tools like ChatGPT or Claude send your data to external servers for processing.
What types of articles work best with TLD2?
TLD2 works with news articles, blog posts, research papers, documentation, and any text-heavy web content. It automatically extracts the main content using Readability.js, filtering out ads and navigation.
Does TLD2 require a powerful computer?
Local AI summarization works on any modern computer. Text-to-speech benefits from GPU acceleration but has a CPU fallback. Minimum: Chrome 120+, 4GB RAM.