Getting Started
Configure a Provider and complete your first translation in ~30 seconds.
This guide walks you through the minimal setup needed to translate with MinTranslate.
Prerequisites
Pick one:
- Cloud provider: an API key for OpenAI / Anthropic / Gemini
- Local provider: Ollama running on your machine
1) Add a Provider
- Open the Settings page:
/settings - In AI Providers, click Add
- Choose a provider type and fill in:
- Name: anything you like
- Model: the model name you want to use
- API Key (for OpenAI / Anthropic / Gemini)
- Ollama Host (optional, for Ollama; default is
http://localhost:11434)
- Save, then set it as the Default provider
Provider details: Providers
2) Translate
Go back to Home and paste text on the left.
- Translation runs automatically after you stop typing briefly
- You can also click Translate now
- Shortcut:
⌘ + Enter/Ctrl + Enter
3) Swap translation direction
MinTranslate currently supports Chinese ↔ English.
Use the Swap languages button to switch direction (it also swaps the left/right text).
4) View history / export
- Home shows recent history
- Full history page:
/history - Export as JSON from the history page
Guide: History & Export
If something doesn’t work
Start here: FAQ