Join the Echobraker beta

Thanks for testing Echobraker. It adds community notes to Reddit: short, sourced notes under posts and comments that make checkable factual claims. A note is shown to everyone only after people who usually disagree with each other both rate it helpful.

You need:

• A computer with Chrome (or another Chromium browser like Edge or Brave) or Firefox 142 or newer. Phones aren't supported yet.
• To be 18 or older and in the United States or a US territory. Outside the US, the extension shows nothing and sign-up is blocked.
• An email address. You don't need an invite code: sign-up is open.

It takes about 5 minutes.

Step 1: Install the extension

The extension isn't in the Chrome Web Store or listed on Firefox Add-ons yet, so you install it from a file. A Chrome Web Store version is coming. Until then, download the right file below.

Chrome, Edge or Brave

1. Download echobraker-chrome-1.4.1.zip.
2. Unzip it. On Windows, right-click it and choose Extract All. On a Mac, double-click it. You get a folder called echobraker-chrome-1.4.1. Keep that folder somewhere permanent, like Documents. If you delete it, the extension stops working.
3. Type chrome://extensions in the address bar and press Enter. In Edge it's edge://extensions, in Brave brave://extensions.
4. Turn on Developer mode. In Chrome it's the switch in the top-right corner.
5. Click Load unpacked and pick the unzipped folder: the one that has manifest.json directly inside it.
6. Echobraker shows up in the list. Click the puzzle-piece icon in the toolbar and pin Echobraker so it's easy to find.

Chrome may sometimes warn you about "developer mode extensions". That's expected for a hand-installed beta. Keep it enabled.

Updating from an older version (1.3.5 or 1.4.0): Chrome doesn't update a load-unpacked extension by itself. Download echobraker-chrome-1.4.1.zip, unzip it over your old Echobraker folder (replace the files when asked), then open chrome://extensions and click Reload on the Echobraker card.

Firefox

The Firefox add-on is signed by Mozilla (unlisted, distributed by us), so it installs like any other add-on and updates itself.

1. In Firefox, open echobraker.com/firefox/echobraker-0.4.2.xpi (or click Download for Firefox on the beta page).
2. Firefox asks whether to add Echobraker. Click Continue to Installation, then Add. If Firefox only saved the file, open about:addons, click the gear icon, choose Install Add-on From File… and pick the .xpi.
3. Go to reddit.com, click the puzzle-piece (Extensions) icon, click Echobraker and choose Always allow on www.reddit.com. You can also open the extension's settings and click Enable on Reddit. Firefox keeps site access off until you allow it.

Firefox updates Echobraker by itself, so if you already have an earlier version you'll get 0.4.2 automatically. No need to reinstall.

Step 2: Create your account

1. Click the Echobraker icon in the toolbar and open its settings. Or go to any Reddit post and click Add community note, then Sign in.
2. Enter your email address. Sign-up is open, so leave Invite code empty unless you were given one.
3. Wait for the small human check to finish, then click Create account. By continuing you confirm you're 18 or older, in the US, and agree to the Terms.
4. An email from no-reply@echobraker.com arrives within a minute. Check spam if you don't see it.
5. Either click the link in the email or type the 6-digit code into the settings page. It signs in by itself.
6. Optional: when it offers Add a passkey, you can save one. Next time you sign in with your fingerprint, face or device PIN instead of an email code.

Others only ever see your random alias (like "QuietHeron42"), never your email.

Step 3: Write a note

1. On reddit.com (new or old Reddit), find a post or comment that makes a checkable factual claim that's wrong or missing context.
2. Click Add community note. On new Reddit it's in the row with Vote, Comment and Share. On old Reddit it's the small "add community note" link next to "share".
3. Echobraker walks you through three short steps:
   1. Values: a quick reminder of what makes a good note (accurate, sourced, about the claim, not the person).
   2. Reasons: say why the item is misleading or missing context, and confirm it makes a checkable factual claim (not a personal story, venting or opinion).
   3. Write: write the note in your own words (up to 1,000 characters; there's no minimum) and add at least one source link.
4. Submit. Every note is automatically checked for personal information first. Never include anyone's real name, address, workplace, phone, or other personal details about a private person. Notes that look like they do are held for a moderator.
5. Your note then shows as "Your note: Not shown to readers yet" until enough people rate it.

Good notes are short, neutral and link a solid source (official data, the original document, a reputable report).

Step 4: Rate other people's notes

• On Reddit, notes that need ratings appear right under the post or comment, labeled Rate proposed note. Several notes on the same item are all shown.
• Answer Is this note helpful? with Yes, Somewhat or No, and optionally pick reasons.
• Rate on whether the note is accurate and helpful, not on whether you agree with the post.
• You can also open the extension's settings and use the Rate notes tab to find notes that need ratings.

Rating is the most useful thing you can do in the beta: notes only appear for everyone when raters who usually disagree both find them helpful.

Problems?

• No "Add community note" button: make sure the extension is enabled and, in Firefox, allowed on reddit.com. Reload the Reddit tab.
• No email: check spam, wait a minute, then click Start over and try again. Codes expire after 15 minutes.
• Firefox lost the extension: if you installed an older temporary beta, install the signed .xpi from Step 1 instead. It stays installed.
• Questions or bug reports: use the bug report form.

Echobraker is an independent project, not affiliated with Reddit, Inc.