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User Guide

Last updated: May 12, 2026

A friendly walkthrough for learners. No technical knowledge required.

1. What is ELI5?

ELI5 (“Explain Like I'm 5”) is a Chrome extension that turns any selected text into a simple, plain-language explanation. You highlight some text, right-click, and ELI5 either shows you the explanation in a small popup or reads it out loud.

It also has a special Driving School Mode that gives you the answer to theory-test questions, with a memory trick and an explanation of why other options are wrong.

You pay for ELI5 with credits, not a subscription. One purchase, no monthly bills, credits never expire.

2. Setting up — 3 minutes

Step 1 — Get your API key (free, no card)

  1. Go to sr.microq.org/dashboard.
  2. Enter your email and click Email me a code.
  3. Paste the 6-digit code we email you and click Verify & sign in.
  4. The dashboard shows your API key plus 20,000 free characters (~20 minutes of audio, or hundreds of ELI5 explanations) to try things out. Click Reveal then Copy to grab the key.

When the free characters run out (or before — credits never expire) buy a top-up from the pricing page. The Thank you page after payment shows the same key, and we email it to you again as a receipt.

Step 2 — Install the extension

Open the ELI5 listing on the Chrome Web Store and click Add to Chrome, then Add extension when Chrome asks.

The ELI5 icon will appear in your browser toolbar (top-right corner). If you don't see it, click the puzzle-piece icon and pin ELI5.

Step 3 — Paste your key into ELI5

  1. Right-click the ELI5 icon → Options.
  2. Paste your key into the API key field.
  3. (Optional) Tick Always use Driving School Mode if you're studying for a theory exam.
  4. Pick the language you'd like explanations written in (or leave it on Auto to mirror the source text).
  5. Click Save.

You're done. You can now use ELI5 anywhere on the web.

3. Using ELI5 every day

Get a written explanation

  1. Highlight any text on any web page.
  2. Right-click the selection.
  3. Choose Text Explanation.
  4. A small popup opens with the plain-language explanation.

Hear it spoken aloud

  1. Highlight text.
  2. Right-click → Verbal Explanation.
  3. ELI5 fetches the explanation and reads it out through your speakers. No popup is opened — perfect when you're reading on the go.

Driving School Mode

If you're studying for a driving theory exam, this mode formats every answer like a teacher would: the correct option, a short memory trick, and a one-line reason why it's right.

4. The popup

Click the ELI5 toolbar icon at any time. The popup shows:

5. Your account dashboard

Visit sr.microq.org/dashboard to manage your account.

Signing in

There are no passwords. Sign in with a one-time code:

  1. Type your email.
  2. Click Email me a code.
  3. Open your inbox, copy the 6-digit code from the message.
  4. Paste it back into the dashboard and click Sign in.

You'll stay signed in for 30 days unless you click Sign out.

What you'll see when signed in

If you lose your API key

You don't need to “reset” it. Sign in to the dashboard and click Reveal — it's the same key. If you ever think the key has been shared by mistake, contact support and we'll rotate it.

6. Common questions

Will ELI5 see what I'm reading on every page?
No. ELI5 only sees the text you actually highlight and right-click. It does not run in the background or read other pages.

What does one explanation cost?
Roughly twice the number of characters in the text you highlight, billed from your credit balance. A normal one-paragraph question costs only a handful of credits.

Can I use ELI5 in another language?
Yes — pick one in Options. Choose Auto to keep replying in whatever language the highlighted text is written in.

Can I share my API key with a friend?
You can, but anything they use comes out of your credits. There is no way to split a key safely — buy a separate pack for each person.

My credits ran out — what now?
Open the popup and click the Top up icon, or visit the dashboard and click Top up. New credits appear within a few seconds of payment.

ELI5 says “Exam mode active” — what's that?
You're using ELI5 with the same email a driving school has registered for you, and the school has paused ELI5 during your official theory exam window to keep things fair. ELI5 will start working again automatically as soon as the window ends.

I'm a driving-school student — anything I have to set up?
No. Just register your ELI5 account at sr.microq.org with the same email address your driving school used to add you. Outside the exam window everything works exactly the same as for any other user.

7. Help