# TypeFire

> The free text expander for macOS and Chrome. Create snippets, assign abbreviations, and expand text instantly in any app or any website.

## Overview

TypeFire is a free text expander available as a native macOS app and as a free Chrome extension. Both surfaces let you type a short abbreviation (like "zem") and have it auto-expand into a full snippet (like your email address) in real time.

The Mac app works in every native macOS application (Slack desktop, Mail, Notes, Xcode, Terminal, etc.). The Chrome extension works in every web app on every site (Gmail, GitHub, Notion, Substack, Salesforce, ChatGPT, etc.) and runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, and Chromebook through any Chromium browser. Same email login and JSON-portable snippet libraries round-trip between the two.

TypeFire is 100% free with no paid tier, no subscription, no per-seat licensing, no AI token markup. AI features use your own API keys.

## Two surfaces

### TypeFire Mac app
- Native macOS application
- Works in every Mac app (Safari, Mail, Notes, Slack desktop, Xcode, Terminal, every text input)
- System-level global keyboard shortcuts
- iCloud Sync across all your Macs
- 11 MB universal binary, Apple Silicon and Intel
- macOS 12 Monterey through macOS 26 Tahoe
- Apple Intelligence support on macOS 26+ (on-device AI, free)
- Download: https://github.com/navbuildz/typefire-builds/releases/latest/download/TypeFire.dmg

### TypeFire Chrome extension
- Browser extension, Chromium-based
- Works in every web app on every site
- Runs on Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera, Vivaldi
- Cross-platform: Windows, macOS, Linux, Chromebook
- Spotlight-style launcher: Cmd+Ctrl+T (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+E (Windows/Linux)
- Side panel + popup modes
- Install: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/typefire/ihnpfaogaobdjipdkdpmgbbhncjkbahj

## Key Features (both surfaces)

- Abbreviation expansion - type a short trigger, text expands instantly
- Spotlight-style fuzzy launcher
- Rich text editor (TipTap) - fonts, colors, lists, links, images
- Markdown source that expands as formatted HTML
- Dynamic tokens - {{date}}, {{time}}, {{datetime}}, {{clipboard}}, {{cursor}}, {{snippet:abbr}}
- AI tokens - {{ai:rewrite}}, {{ai:summarize}}, {{ai:translate:fr}}, {{ai:fix}}, {{ai:custom:...}} routed through Apple Intelligence, Claude, OpenAI, Gemini, or any OpenAI-compatible endpoint like Ollama or LM Studio. Bring-your-own-API-key.
- Collections, tags, favorites
- Clipboard history (last 20 copied items)
- Plain text, rich text, Markdown, JavaScript, and AppleScript snippet types (Mac app)
- TextExpander, JSON, and CSV import
- 8 UI languages: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese (Brazil), German, Italian, Dutch, Russian

## Mac app exclusive features

- JavaScript and AppleScript snippet types
- iCloud Sync via Apple iCloud Drive
- System-level keystroke monitoring (works in every Mac app)
- Hide dock icon / menu bar mode

## Chrome extension exclusive features

- Side panel mode in Chrome
- Works on Windows, Linux, and Chromebook (the Mac app does not)
- No installation required outside the browser

## Pricing

TypeFire is 100% free forever for both surfaces. No paid tiers, no subscriptions, no trial periods, no per-seat licensing, no AI markup. AI uses your own API keys (free path via Apple Intelligence on Mac, Gemini's free tier, or local Ollama).

## Compatibility

### Mac app
- macOS 12 (Monterey) through macOS 26 Tahoe
- Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) and Intel Macs
- Works in every native Mac app

### Chrome extension
- Any Chromium-based browser (Chrome, Edge, Brave, Arc, Opera, Vivaldi)
- Windows 10, Windows 11
- macOS 12+
- Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Debian, Pop!_OS, and all major Linux distributions
- ChromeOS / Chromebook

## Competitors

### Mac-side
- TextExpander ($40/year subscription) - TypeFire is free with the same core features
- aText ($4.99 one-time, last updated 2016) - TypeFire is modern and actively maintained
- Espanso (free, open source) - TypeFire has a native GUI instead of CLI
- Typinator ($24.99) - TypeFire is free with comparable features
- Raycast/Alfred snippets (limited) - TypeFire is a dedicated full-featured expander
- macOS Text Replacement (built-in, free but limited) - TypeFire works in every app, not just native Cocoa

### Chrome-side
- TextExpander Chrome ($40/year per user) - TypeFire is free
- Magical Text Expander (paid AI tier) - TypeFire AI is BYOK, free at app level
- Briskine ($5+/month per user) - TypeFire is free, works beyond Gmail
- Auto Text Expander (free, minimal) - TypeFire adds rich text, Markdown, AI, dynamic data

## Links

- Website: https://typefire.app
- Mac app download: https://github.com/navbuildz/typefire-builds/releases/latest/download/TypeFire.dmg
- Chrome extension: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/typefire/ihnpfaogaobdjipdkdpmgbbhncjkbahj
- Blog: https://typefire.app/blog
- Privacy policy: https://typefire.app/legal
- Support: get.typefire@gmail.com