A practical guide to your words

Learn the basics, build a useful first snippet, and take care of your library with step-by-step guides.

Start where you are

New to text expansion? Begin with the definition and first-snippet guide. If you already have a library, focus on fields, site access, or the backup and import workflows.

Each guide explains a concrete task and its limits. English interface labels are identified where needed; the current extension also has an Arabic interface. Choose a task below, or search by the result you want.

What is a text expander?

A text expander replaces a short alias with writing you have saved. Use it for repeatable wording that still needs your judgment.

Create your first snippet

Start with a short acknowledgement, save it with a memorable alias, and test it before using it in a real conversation.

Create a reply with fill-in fields

Build a short response that asks for a name and a topic. Use the visual editor to create real fields, then preview the result.

Shortcuts and triggers, explained

Learn where an alias matches, what Space does, and when the optional Tab, Enter, or immediate triggers need extra care.

Site access and troubleshooting

If a snippet works in practice but not on a website, check permission, pause, scope, and the editor in that order.

Back up and restore your library

Create an independent file before a major edit, import, update, or browser change. Preview a restore before committing it.

Import mapped CSV or flat JSON

Bring owned text records into PhraseShelf with explicit column mapping, a preview, and a careful review of unsupported commands.

Create Arabic text shortcuts without losing the details

Save an Arabic reply, assign a literal shortcut and test Arabic–Latin text in the real practice editor. The reply language can differ from the interface language.