Connect the Browser Extension

The ThinkForge Chrome extension connects your browser to the desktop app so you can capture web pages, save AI conversations, and send research directly into your projects.

The extension communicates with ThinkForge Desktop over a local HTTP connection on your machine. Nothing leaves your computer unless you explicitly use a cloud feature. Setup takes about a minute.

What you need

  • ThinkForge Desktop installed and running on your computer
  • Google Chrome (or a Chromium-based browser such as Edge, Brave, or Arc)
  • The ThinkForge extension from the Chrome Web Store

Step 1: Install the extension

  1. Open the Chrome Web Store and search for ThinkForge, or follow the install link from your ThinkForge account.
  2. Click Add to Chrome and confirm the permissions prompt.
  3. The ThinkForge icon appears in your browser toolbar. Pin it for easy access.

Step 2: Enable desktop integration

  1. Make sure ThinkForge Desktop is running. The app starts a local connection service automatically on launch.
  2. Open the ThinkForge extension side panel (click the toolbar icon or use the keyboard shortcut).
  3. Go to Settings and select the TF Desktop tab.
  4. Turn on Enable desktop integration. This allows the extension to communicate with ThinkForge Desktop over a local-only HTTP connection.

Step 3: Verify the connection

Once enabled, the Settings panel shows connection status:

  • Connected (green indicator) — the extension can reach ThinkForge Desktop and is ready to use.
  • Not Running — ThinkForge Desktop is not open. Launch it and click Refresh Status.

The status area also shows the desktop app version and confirms the connection protocol. You can click Refresh Status at any time to re-check.

No extra configuration needed. The connection uses localhost:19222 by default. You do not need to configure ports, install a native messaging host, or modify any system settings.

How the connection works

The extension and desktop app communicate entirely over your local network:

  • The extension sends commands (capture page, save chat, search memory) to ThinkForge Desktop via HTTP on localhost.
  • ThinkForge Desktop can also push requests to the extension (for example, triggering a page capture from the desktop command menu).
  • A session token is generated each time ThinkForge Desktop starts, securing the connection to your local machine.

No data passes through external servers for this connection. The extension works as a thin client — the desktop app handles file storage, memory indexing, and project management.

What you can do once connected

  • Capture full web pages or selected text into a project
  • Save AI chat conversations (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and others) to project memory
  • Search your project memory from the browser
  • Open and create Forge Docs
  • Run agents with browser context
  • Use quick commands to send content to ThinkForge without leaving your browser

Troubleshooting connection issues

If the extension shows Not Running or cannot connect:

  1. Confirm ThinkForge Desktop is open and fully loaded.
  2. Check that no firewall or antivirus is blocking localhost connections on port 19222.
  3. Click Refresh Status in the extension settings.
  4. Restart ThinkForge Desktop if the issue persists.

The extension checks connection status automatically every 30 seconds and will reconnect when the desktop app becomes available.

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