[Suggestion] Chrome browser extension for live tab audio transcription (TypeScript)

[deepgram-robot]

What to build

A Chrome browser extension that captures audio from the active browser tab (meetings, videos, podcasts) and provides real-time transcription using Deepgram's streaming STT API, displayed in a floating sidebar overlay.

Why this matters

Developers and end-users frequently need to transcribe audio playing in their browser — video calls (Google Meet, Zoom web), YouTube videos, podcasts, webinars. A Chrome extension is the most natural delivery mechanism for this use case, and building one with Deepgram showcases the streaming API's low-latency capabilities in a real-world, highly visible context. This example also demonstrates key browser patterns: tab audio capture via chrome.tabCapture, WebSocket streaming from a service worker, and secure API key handling.

Suggested scope

• Language: TypeScript
• Platform: Chrome Extension (Manifest V3)
• Deepgram APIs: STT (Nova-3 streaming WebSocket)
• Features:
  • Capture audio from active tab using chrome.tabCapture API
  • Stream audio to Deepgram via WebSocket from service worker
  • Display real-time transcription in a floating sidebar (content script)
  • Toggle transcription on/off via extension popup or keyboard shortcut
  • Copy transcript to clipboard
  • Basic speaker diarization display
• Includes: Manifest V3 configuration, service worker for WebSocket, content script for UI overlay
• Complexity: Intermediate-Advanced

Acceptance criteria

• Installable as unpacked Chrome extension (load in developer mode)
• README explains Chrome extension architecture and setup steps
• Uses current SDK version or direct WebSocket API
• Captures and transcribes tab audio in real-time with < 500ms visible latency
• Sidebar overlay does not interfere with page content
• Handles tab switching and extension lifecycle gracefully
• Includes secure API key configuration (options page or environment variable)

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Raised by the DX intelligence system.