https://github.com/goldenmonstew/glosspop

Open-source macOS swipe-to-translate: instant on-device translation that upgrades into an LLM-refined result, zero-clipboard, privacy-first. macOS 15+, AGPL-3.0.
https://github.com/goldenmonstew/glosspop

agpl macos menubar sparkle swift swiftui translation

Last synced: about 1 month ago
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Open-source macOS swipe-to-translate: instant on-device translation that upgrades into an LLM-refined result, zero-clipboard, privacy-first. macOS 15+, AGPL-3.0.

• Host: GitHub
• URL: https://github.com/goldenmonstew/glosspop
• Owner: Goldenmonstew
• License: agpl-3.0
• Created: 2026-06-05T02:12:07.000Z (about 1 month ago)
• Default Branch: main
• Last Pushed: 2026-06-05T06:19:22.000Z (about 1 month ago)
• Last Synced: 2026-06-05T07:18:19.400Z (about 1 month ago)
• Topics: agpl, macos, menubar, sparkle, swift, swiftui, translation
• Language: Swift
• Size: 56.6 KB
• Stars: 0
• Watchers: 0
• Forks: 0
• Open Issues: 0
• Metadata Files:
  • Readme: README.md
  • Contributing: CONTRIBUTING.md
  • License: LICENSE

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README

          
# GlossPop

**Swipe-to-translate for macOS.** Select text anywhere, press one hotkey, and get an **LLM translation that's also a dictionary and a grammar tutor** — streamed into a near-cursor panel that **never touches your clipboard** and **never steals focus**.

![macOS 15+](https://img.shields.io/badge/macOS-15%2B-black?logo=apple) ![Apple Silicon](https://img.shields.io/badge/Apple%20Silicon-arm64-blue) ![License: AGPL-3.0](https://img.shields.io/badge/License-AGPL--3.0-green) [![Latest release](https://img.shields.io/github/v/release/Goldenmonstew/GlossPop)](https://github.com/Goldenmonstew/GlossPop/releases/latest)

## What makes it different

Most swipe-translators are fragile (resident event taps that lag the system, clipboard pollution) and just dump a flat translation. GlossPop is **input-aware** and reliable:

- 🧠 **It adapts to what you select.** A word or phrase → a full **dictionary** entry (pronunciation, part-of-speech senses, examples, synonyms, idioms). A sentence → **translation + syntax analysis** (clauses, subject/predicate/object, grammar points, word-by-word gloss). Plain phrases → a clean streamed translation.

- 🔑 **Your model.** Translation runs on the LLM you choose — **bring your own key** to any OpenAI-compatible endpoint (cloud, a relay, or a local **Ollama** / **LM Studio**), or on-device **Apple Foundation Models** where available.

- 🔒 **Zero side-effects.** Accessibility-first capture — no resident `CGEventTap`, the clipboard is never touched by default, focus never leaves your app. A provenance badge tells you exactly where your text went.

## Install

1. Download the latest **`GlossPop-x.y.z.dmg`** from the [**Releases**](https://github.com/Goldenmonstew/GlossPop/releases/latest) page (notarized by Apple).

2. Open the DMG and drag **GlossPop** to **Applications**.

3. Launch it — a 💬 icon appears in the menu bar. On first run, grant **Accessibility** when prompted (System Settings ▸ Privacy & Security ▸ Accessibility ▸ enable GlossPop). This is how it reads your selection without the clipboard.

Updates are delivered automatically via [Sparkle](https://sparkle-project.org) (or menu ▸ Check for Updates…).

## Use

- Select text in any app → press **⌃⌘T** → the panel pops up near your cursor.

- **Esc** or click away to dismiss. The selection in the source app stays intact.

- Open **Settings…** from the menu-bar icon to choose the target language, output mode, and translation engine.

## Bring your own model (BYOK)

Settings ▸ *BYOK 精修引擎*:

1. **Base URL** — any OpenAI-compatible `/v1` endpoint (e.g. `https://api.openai.com/v1`, your relay, or `http://localhost:11434/v1` for Ollama).

2. **API Key** — stored in your macOS **Keychain**, never anywhere else.

3. **Model** — type it, or click **Fetch models** to pick from `/v1/models`; **Test connection** verifies it end-to-end.

4. Enable **BYOK refine** and save.

When the endpoint is a cloud/relay host, the panel's badge reads **“云,文本已发往 \”** so you always know your text left the machine. Loopback (`localhost`) is labeled on-device.

## Privacy

- **Default path is zero-clipboard and on-device** (Apple NMT). Nothing is sent anywhere unless you enable a cloud/relay engine.

- The optional Tier-2 “synthetic copy” fallback (for apps that don't expose selection, e.g. Safari/Electron) is **off by default**; when on, it restores your clipboard immediately.

- Your selection isn't stored or logged unless you turn on **Translation History** (off by default; kept locally in plain text, clearable anytime).

## Build from source

Requires Xcode 26+ and [XcodeGen](https://github.com/yonaskolb/XcodeGen) (`brew install xcodegen`).

```bash

make build   # xcodegen generate + xcodebuild

make run     # build + launch

make test    # unit tests

```

Maintainer release pipeline (Developer ID sign → notarize → DMG → Sparkle appcast) lives in [`scripts/release.sh`](scripts/release.sh).

## Contributing

Issues and PRs welcome — see [CONTRIBUTING.md](CONTRIBUTING.md). macOS 15+, Apple Silicon, Swift 6 (strict concurrency).

## License

[AGPL-3.0-or-later](LICENSE). © 2026 wanruncong.