Sider

What is Sider?

Sider is a cross-platform AI assistant that uses the browser sidebar as an entry point, and it is operated by Vidline Inc. Users can directly utilize models such as GPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok alongside the web pages they are viewing, in order to perform tasks like reading, summarizing, translating, writing, answering questions about files, and processing images – all without the need to repeatedly copy content or switch between different chat websites.

Sider is available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, as well as a web version; a single account allows chat messages and data to be synchronized across different devices.

The new version of Sider is no longer just a “ChatGPT sidebar”. The official website identifies its main functions as Chat, Claw, Code, and Create: Chat is used to understand web pages, PDFs, videos, and questions.

Claw is responsible for automating browser tasks; Code allows for customizing the appearance and functionality of the current website.

Create is used to generate images, videos, slides, and documents.

Wisebase transforms web pages, files, research reports, and notes into a long-term knowledge base.

Chat: Understand the content on the current page.

• Multi-model chat:On a single interface, it is possible to invoke models such as GPT, Claude, Gemini, Grok, DeepSeek, as well as Sider’s own routing systems; the list of available models changes over time as new services are introduced.
• Group chat comparison:The same question can be submitted to multiple AI bots at the same time, in order to compare their approaches to answering, their reasoning methods, and their writing styles;
• Web page summary:Extract information from long articles, news items, document pages, and search results, and ask further questions about concepts, arguments, and data;
• YouTube Summary:It generates summaries, key points for each chapter, and time markers based on the available subtitles, to help filter through long videos;
• ChatPDF：After uploading a PDF, file, or link, it is possible to generate summaries, answer questions, and locate citations.
• Visual understanding and OCR:Read screenshots, photos, and images containing text, in order to explain charts, extract text, or analyze questions;
• Web page access:It allows the model to search for the latest information or access specified pages, not relying solely on the data used for its training;
• Thinking and data analysis:For complex problems, inference patterns are used to perform calculations, create tables, and provide interpretations of the uploaded data.

Aggregation models facilitate comparison, but the context length, tools, system prompts, file handling capabilities, and usage restrictions in Sider may differ from those of the models offered by their original manufacturers. A Sider subscription does not automatically grant separate memberships or API quotas to OpenAI, Anthropic, or Google.

Claw: Browser task automation

Claw is an agent developed by Sider for performing tasks in browsers. It can search for information across different websites, compare product prices, fill out forms, organize data, and it can also help sort through emails in the Gmail inbox.

Unlike ordinary web page Q&A tools, Claw actually navigates through pages, clicks on elements, and carries out various actions, which makes it more similar to a browser operation agent.

Tasks suitable for assigning to Claw include the collection of public information, comparison of product parameters, repetitive data entry, and tasks involving low-risk web operations. Actions such as purchasing, making payments, sending emails, publishing content, deleting data, submitting requests, or modifying account settings have external implications, and therefore require manual confirmation in the final step.

Verification codes, passwords, payment cards, identification documents, and customer privacy information must not be handed over to uncontrolled automated processes.

Code: Customize web pages using natural language.

Sider Code allows users to specify how they want the webpage to appear: for example, hiding distracting elements, adjusting the layout, adding shortcut buttons, highlighting certain fields, or integrating AI functions. The changes made can be saved locally and will remain in effect upon subsequent visits to the website.

It is suitable for personal workstations, reading optimization, and light web enhancement, and there is no need to first create a full-fledged browser extension.

After the web page is updated, the saved changes may become invalid or interfere with key functions. When it comes to enterprise systems, forms, and transaction pages, it is necessary to first test them in a testing environment.

Do not use code to bypass website permissions, paywalls, security measures, or terms of service.

Create: Images, videos, slides, and documents

Create aggregates various image and video models; it can generate visual content from text, and it also offers functions for image editing, background removal, background replacement, text removal, local repair, and scaling. The AI Slides and document features enable the organization of themes, research results, or raw materials into presentations and structured outputs.

The specific models that can be used, the generation speed, and the amount of advanced credits consumed per integration keep changing. High-resolution images, long videos, complex slideshows, and expensive models generally require more of these advanced credits.

Although commercial use is indicated as permitted in the list of capabilities offered under paid plans, users still need to check the terms related to the models, the copyright of the materials used, portrait rights, trademarks, and the authenticity of the generated content.

Wisebase knowledge base

Wisebase is Sider’s AI knowledge base, designed for collecting, understanding, and reusing web pages and files. Users can save the current webpage using a browser extension, or they can paste a page address or upload PDFs, documents, and presentation files.

Once the information is entered into Wisebase, it can be shared across multiple files; highlights and AI-generated responses can be saved as notes, which can then be used to create drafts or FAQs.

• Knowledge acquisition:Save web pages, links, local files, and presentation materials;
• Multi-file Q&A:Compare viewpoints, extract facts, and conduct a comprehensive analysis based on a set of materials;
• Highlighting and notes:When reading, save the key paragraphs, and you can also turn the insights from AI responses into notes.
• Content generation:Create drafts, FAQs, and other structured content based on the saved information;
• Free trial:Basic file analysis, chatting, and note-taking are available for free; the maximum size of a single file is 10MB, and 30 basic points are granted per day.

Wisebase is not an ordinary cloud storage service; it focuses on semantic search and content generation based on data. Since the models may only retrieve partial snippets, it is still necessary to open the original files in order to examine the complete context when dealing with regulations, contracts, research findings, and technical standards.

Deep Research: In-depth Studies

Sider Deep Research identifies research needs from ambiguous questions, scans over 100 websites to select relevant sources, automatically highlights key information, generates insightful notes, and produces a structured report with citations. The sources and notes are saved in Wisebase, allowing users to view the original pages alongside the report and to ask further questions.

Regular Deep Research offers one free trial; after that, a paid subscription along with corresponding credits are required. Scholar Deep Research, intended for academic users, makes use of a specialized database of papers – the website claims that it contains over 350 million academic articles.

Whether in a regular or academic format, it is necessary to verify that the sources cited are genuine, that the years and versions are correct, and that the conclusions presented accurately reflect the original sources.

Translation and reading aloud

Sider can translate web pages, PDFs, and images, and it offers AI-powered text reading aloud. Web page translation is suitable for reading in two languages, PDF translation is used for long documents, while image translation allows for the reading of posters, screenshots, and scanned text.

Language model translation can handle context more naturally, but there may still be inaccuracies in terms, units, legal terminology, and proper nouns.

Reading aloud is suitable for learning texts and for easy access to information; however, the pronunciation of long pages, code, tables, and formulas may not be natural. When a formal translation is required, a glossary should be created and the text should be proofread manually.

Writing and quick operations

Users can use AI Writer in the input field on the web page to create emails, articles, social media posts, reports, and replies; they can also rewrite text, expand or shorten it, adjust its tone, and check for grammar errors. The right-click menu and sidebar allow for quick actions on selected text.

The automated AI responses that appear next to search engine results also consume points; if not desired, the response mechanism can be changed to one that triggers only after a button is clicked.

Free version and point rules

Sider uses a system of basic and advanced points. Free accounts receive 30 basic points per day, along with 5 quota units for YouTube summaries, 10 quota units for Painter, and 10 quota units for chatting about PDF files or links.

Each free PDF can have up to 200 pages.

Free files on Wisebase are usually up to 10MB in size.

Different models and functions have varying levels of resource consumption; tasks that require expensive computations, in-depth analysis, processing of images and videos, or the use of cloud computing services may result in the deduction of multiple points at once. Details regarding the points used can be viewed on the account’s billing page.

When the free daily points do not get refreshed, it is necessary to verify that the user is logged in and to reload the page; the automatic responses on the search results page can also consume those points if the user has not opened the sidebar.

Payment plans and prices

According to the price page on the official website, all paid plans include Chat, Claw, Code, Create, and other advanced features; the differences between these plans lie mainly in the number of points awarded per month and in the performance of the cloud computers. Prices vary depending on region, currency, payment frequency (monthly or annual), as well as any ongoing promotions.

The reference price currently displayed on the official Mac App Store in the United States is:

The iPhone and iPad stores also list Pocket at a yearly price of 49.99 dollars, a monthly subscription at 14.99 dollars, as well as other in-app purchases designed for use on historical devices or mobile phones. The official statement is that the Pocket service is intended solely for mobile use, and its points cannot be used in browsers.

When cross-platform use is required, it is necessary to choose a solution that explicitly supports all platforms.

The package names and quotas may change over time; the details should be based on those shown on the settlement page after logging in.

The paid points are reset at the end of each plan period, and the account should not be shared with others. Rules regarding upgrades, annual payment conversions, refunds, and invoices should be checked before making a payment.

The term \"Unlimited\" or the claim that all functions are available without restrictions does not mean that an individual subscription can be used as an unlimited API. It is still subject to constraints related to fair use, computing resources, model availability, and automation.

Supported platforms

Sider offers extensions for Chrome and Edge, as well as applications for Windows, macOS, iPhone, iPad, and Android. For the standalone macOS application, the required system version is determined by the store’s current requirements; the page for the U.S. market indicates that macOS 13 or a higher version is needed.

One account can synchronize chat history, but special in-app purchases such as Pocket points on mobile devices may not be shared with the browser.

API and open-source status

Sider offers managed applications and extensions to end-users; at present, there is no publicly available pricing for API calls related to model aggregation, nor is there an official open-source version that can be deployed independently. The Claw browser proxy, Code for web customization, Wisebase indexing, and cloud-based model routing are all proprietary services.

There are several third-party projects on GitHub with names such as Sider or AI Sidebar; these are not the same product as Sider AI, which is operated by Vidline Inc. The ability to run code in a browser or modify web pages does not mean that the source code of Sider itself is available publicly.

Sider Usage Tutorial

Complete a basic task.

1. Clarify the code tasks to be completed in Sider, the scope of the repository, and the acceptance criteria.
2. Connect to or import the test project, and first back up the current branch;
3. First use Chat: Understand the content on the current page to create a plan, and then confirm the files that need to be modified.
4. Using Claw: Automates browser tasks to make minor changes;
5. Run tests, static checks, and builds; unverified code is not accepted directly.
6. Manually check permissions, keys, dependencies, and handle exceptions before merging;

Create reusable professional workflows

1. Select a low-risk, real-world project as a template;
2. Fixed Chat: Understanding the content on the current page; Claw: Automating browser tasks; Code: Customizing the order in which pages are displayed using natural language.
3. Record the environment, model, prompts, and failure conditions;
4. Set up manual approval for write, deploy, and delete actions;
5. Compare speed, cost, test pass rate, and the amount of rework;
6. Expand to a team or production environment only after stability has been verified;

Which users are it suitable for

• Students and knowledge workers who need to summarize, translate, explain, and write while browsing web pages;
• Power users of AI who wish to compare the responses of multiple mainstream models at once;
• It is necessary to summarize the research and content teams related to YouTube, PDFs, articles, and image texts;
• Individuals who use Wisebase to collect information, take notes, and create drafts as part of their personal knowledge management;
• Students, researchers, and consultants who need in-depth research and the retrieval of academic papers;
• Users who wish to have the website information automatically compared, forms filled out, and duplicate browser sessions handled;
• Advanced users who wish to adjust the webpage layout using natural language or add personal shortcuts.

Usage restrictions and precautions

• AI summaries and in-depth analyses may miss pages, misinterpret citations, or treat outdated information as current facts;
• The research report should examine the date of publication, the author, the original source, and the context in which it is cited;
• The fact that multiple models in a group chat give the same answer does not mean that the answer is correct, as they may rely on the same website or similar training data.
• Claw and Code make actual changes or modifications to the web pages;
• When it comes to emails, shopping, accounts, forms, and enterprise systems, permissions should be restricted and manual verification required;
• Customized website scripts may become ineffective after the site is updated, and they can also affect the security and accessibility of the pages.
• Before uploading Wisebase and ChatPDF, it is necessary to verify the copyright status of the files as well as any confidentiality requirements.
• Customer data, medical records, identification documents, unpublished financial information, and trade secrets should not be uploaded in the absence of a data processing agreement and organizational approval.
• When the generated content is to be used in commercial projects, it is also necessary to verify facts, copyright, trademarks, and authorization for the use of personal images.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sider free?

There is a free version that provides 30 basic points per day, along with a limited amount of usage for YouTube summaries, Painter, as well as for chatting about files and PDFs. Advanced models, in-depth research, cloud computing services, and generation tasks require paid points.

Can Sider summarize web pages and YouTube?

Yes. The sidebar in the browser can provide a summary of the current page and the videos with subtitles, and it’s also possible to ask further questions related to the content.

What is Wisebase?

It is Sider’s AI knowledge base, capable of saving web pages and files, enabling chat across different documents, recording highlights and notes, and generating drafts or FAQs based on that information.

Is Sider Deep Research free?

The standard Deep Research version offers one free trial; for more in-depth research, an upgraded plan is required. The academic version also provides Scholar Deep Research, which is designed for use with paper databases.

How much is Sider?

The official website applies dynamic pricing based on region. On the Mac App Store in the United States, the reference prices are 9.99 dollars per month for the Basic version, 19.99 dollars per month for the Professional version, and 39.99 dollars per month for the Ultra version.

The annual price and the promotional price on the website may vary.

Is the credit limit valid across all Sider platforms?

Regular cross-platform solutions can synchronize accounts, but Pocket is a solution designed for mobile use only; its points cannot be used in browsers. It is necessary to check the platforms supported by a solution before making a purchase.

Is Sider open source?

It is not open source, and there is no official complete self-deployment version available. The GitHub projects with the same name are usually third-party software; they cannot be considered the official source code for Sider AI.