Skimlane

Skimlane

Skimlane is a private, local-first AI reading assistant delivered as a Chrome extension that automatically processes web pages into structured, reusable summaries using customizable "reading recipes" and selectable models (local or hosted).

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Free
#96 in Chatbots & Assistants (96 tools)
Just launched
27 profile views · 4 vendor visits in 30 days

Quick Overview

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What it does

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Best fit

Chatbots & Assistants

Pricing snapshot

Free from Free

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Skimlane

Skimlane is a Chrome extension that acts as a private AI reading assistant, automatically processing pages as you browse and converting them into structured views using customizable "reading recipes." It runs locally in the browser without requiring sign-up, storing settings, recipes, history, and saved skims in Chrome storage by default. Users can choose local on-device models (e.g., Chrome Gemini Nano, Ollama) or connect hosted models and keys (OpenAI-compatible endpoints, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Groq) to control where processing occurs and how results are generated. Skimlane is aimed at readers who want faster, repeatable extraction of the important parts of web content—ranging from individual skimming to professional workflows like PM briefs and product intelligence.

A private AI reading assistant for Chrome that processes pages as you browse, with customizable reading recipes, local models, and no sign-up.

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Key Features

Auto Skim

Automatically processes new pages with a default recipe and source; can be turned off or applied with site exclusions.

Customizable Reading Recipes

Create, edit, import, export, and share recipes that define sections, prompts, model choice, and output structure for any reading workflow.

Local-first Storage and Privacy Controls

No sign-up required; settings, recipes, API keys, history, saved skims, and chats are stored in Chrome storage with controls to clear or reset them.

Side Panel Reader

Runs beside browsing in a side panel, keeping the processed result ready to question, save, reopen from history, or export as Markdown.

Model Flexibility and BYOK

Supports on-device models (Chrome Gemini Nano), free local models via Ollama, Groq free cloud tier, or connecting private/self-hosted OpenAI-compatible endpoints and other leading models.

Reusable Outputs

Save useful parts, ask follow-up questions, reopen pages from history, and copy the complete reading artifact as portable Markdown.

Data Deletion & Controls

Clear history, saved skims, snapshots, chats, and reset settings, recipes, prompts, and API keys from Data & Privacy.

Pricing

Free Tier Available

Skimlane supports free and local options: run on-device Chrome Gemini Nano when available or use free local models (Ollama) and Groq's free cloud tier.

Free / Local Options

Free
  • Use Chrome Gemini Nano on-device when available
  • Use a free local model through Ollama or Groq's free cloud tier

Use Cases

Product intelligence and PM briefs

Use ready-made recipes like "PM Brief" or "Product Intelligence Brief" to extract user impact, product implications, risks, and roadmap relevance from long posts or docs.

Quickly determine article value

Use "Worth Reading?" recipe types to decide what matters, what to skip, and whether a page deserves more time.

Signal cleaning and evidence extraction

Run "Signal Cleaner" or similar recipes to identify unsupported claims, repeated fluff, and the actual bottom line.

Personal reading workflows

Customize recipes for any reading need—notes, briefs, summaries, or decks—and export or reuse them across pages.

Integrations

Chrome (extension)

Skimlane is provided as a Chrome extension that runs in the browser and presents a side panel reader.

OpenAI-compatible endpoints

Allows connecting a private or self-hosted OpenAI-compatible endpoint (BYOK) to run hosted models.

Anthropic

Supports selecting Anthropic models as hosted model options.

Google Gemini (Chrome Gemini Nano)

Supports on-device Chrome Gemini Nano when available for local processing.

Ollama

Supports using a free local model via Ollama.

Groq

Mentions Groq's free cloud tier as an available model option.

OpenRouter

Listed as a selectable model provider/endpoint option.

Benefits

Speeds reading by turning pages into concise, structured outputs tailored to your interests and role.
Preserves privacy with local-first defaults, no required account, and clear controls to delete stored data.
Flexible model choices let users run on-device models or connect hosted/self-hosted endpoints to balance cost, latency, and privacy.
Reusable recipe system enables consistent, repeatable reading workflows across pages and team-sharing via export/import.

Limitations

Chrome-only delivery: the product is presented as a Chrome extension and references the Chrome browser.
If you choose a hosted model, page content is sent directly from your browser to that provider (implications for privacy depending on model choice).
Local-first approach means there is no Skimlane account or cloud knowledge base for cross-device sync unless the user chooses a hosted provider or external syncing method.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Getting Started

  1. 1 Install the Skimlane Chrome extension (Get Chrome extension) to enable the side-panel reader.
  2. 2 Choose a ready-made reading recipe or build a custom recipe that selects sections, prompts, and model preferences.
  3. 3 Start browsing to let Auto Skim process pages, or open the side panel for on-demand skimming; optionally connect a model/API key if you want hosted or private endpoints.

Support

website/links

Privacy policy and Contact links are present on the site (visible on the product page).

extension store

Install via the Chrome extension listing ("Get Chrome extension" link on the site).

API

Available: No

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