Setup
Word → AnkiAnki → StoryStoriesWordsHighlightsHabitsSetup
📱 xihongshi needs a computer. It works together with the Anki desktop app, which isn’t available on phones. Please open this page on your laptop or desktop.

Setup

Connect your Anki and add your AI keys. New here? The guide walks you through it.

Connect Anki

  1. Open Anki and install the add-on AnkiConnect (code 2055492159), then restart Anki.
  2. Keep Anki open and click Connect. Chrome first asks to allow access to devices on your local network: choose “Allow” (that’s how this page reaches Anki on your computer). Then Anki asks whether this site may access it: choose “Yes”.
Only if you set one in the AnkiConnect config (see below).

Your Anki stays on your computer. This page talks to Anki directly from your browser, and other visitors can only ever reach their own Anki. Your cards never pass through our server; only the handful of words picked for a new story (or the word you add) is sent on to your AI provider, with your own key.

Saying “Yes” lets this site read and edit your Anki while you use it. Only say “Yes” to sites you trust. For extra safety, set an apiKey in Anki → Tools → Add-ons → AnkiConnect → Config and enter it above. To revoke access later, remove this site from webCorsOriginList in that same config.

Starter deck

HSK1 · 150 words

New here? Import the HSK1 starter deck: every word comes with pinyin, a definition, four example sentences with translations and audio. It also installs the Chinese (Basic) note type that “Add word” needs, and gives the story generator its first vocabulary.

  1. Download the deck (16 MB).
  2. In Anki: File → Import… and pick the downloaded file. The cards land in Mandarin: Vocabulary::HSK1.
Download HSK1 deck

AI keys

you pay your own provider

You need an Anthropic or OpenAI key for stories and new words. Audio works without a key (a free, slightly robotic Google voice); an ElevenLabs or OpenAI key gives you a natural voice.

The better the model, the better the story. With an Anthropic key, Claude Opus 5.5, Anthropic’s strongest everyday model, writes your stories and example sentences, and the faster Claude Haiku 5.5 does the translations. With only an OpenAI key, GPT-6.1 Sol and GPT-6 Luna do the same work. Both are strong, but we recommend an Anthropic key: xihongshi’s prompts were written and tested with Claude, so that’s where the stories are best.

Keys are saved as you type and used automatically; Check key just confirms the provider accepts them. They stay in this browser and are sent with each request, never stored on our server. Each provider bills you directly, so set a monthly spending limit in their dashboard.

Writes stories and example sentences. Recommended. Get a key →
Alternative for text if you have no Anthropic key; also does nicer audio. Get a key →
Optional: the most natural-sounding audio for stories and words. Get a key →

Voice

optional · ElevenLabs only

With an ElevenLabs key, stories and words are read in a default voice. To use another one, pick a voice in the Voice Library (add it to “My Voices”) or clone your own voice, then copy its Voice ID from the voice’s menu and paste it here. Leave empty for the default.

Add words from any website

optional

Reading something in Chinese? Select a word on any page and click this bookmark: xihongshi opens with the word, the sentence it appeared in and the page as source already filled in. You just click Add to Anki.

  1. Show your bookmarks bar (Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + B).
  2. Drag the button below onto it.
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