Translate and Replace Selected Text with One Shortcut
Translating a paragraph often means copying it, switching to a translation tool, then copying the result back. If you only want to replace one passage in your notes, Wox can handle those handoffs.
This example combines an AI Command with a Query Hotkey to translate text into Chinese. Select a passage in an editable document, press the shortcut, and wait for the translated text to be pasted back into the original app. Start with a short sentence in a note so you can see the whole flow.
Define the translation and where its result goes
First, configure a working provider and model in Settings → AI. See AI Settings if you have not set one up yet.
Then open Settings → Plugins → AI Commands and create or edit a command:
| Field | Example value |
|---|---|
| Name | Translate to Chinese |
| Command | translate |
| Model | A model you have already configured |
| Prompt | Translate the following text to Chinese. Return only the translated text: %s |
| Default Action | Run And Paste |
translate is the command keyword used in the query. %s marks where the input text belongs in the prompt. Asking for only the translated text helps keep explanations and introductory phrases out of what gets pasted into your note.
Run And Paste determines where the answer goes. Wox waits for the complete answer, writes the final text to the clipboard, and pastes into the active window recorded before the command was triggered. It does not insert partial output as the model generates it.
Have the shortcut supply the selected text
Add an entry in Settings → Hotkey → Query Hotkeys:
| Field | Example value |
|---|---|
| Preset | Silent Run |
| Hotkey | An unused combination, such as ctrl+shift+t |
| Query | ai translate {wox:selected_text} |
{wox:selected_text} supplies the current selection when you trigger the shortcut. The same shortcut can handle a different paragraph each time without you editing the query.
Silent Run executes the default action directly when the query has a single result. The two settings have separate jobs: the AI command's default action handles pasting, while the hotkey preset skips confirmation in the launcher.
Try it in an editable note
Type a short English sentence into a note, such as Please send me the updated draft tomorrow. Select the whole sentence and press your shortcut.
Wox sends the selection to the chosen model and shows a small waiting indicator near the pointer. Once the full answer arrives, it returns to the original app and pastes. With the original selection and editing position intact, the translation replaces that sentence. The wording will vary by model.
The destination must accept pasted text. Selecting words on a read-only web page will not make the page editable. While waiting, avoid moving the caret or changing the selection in the original app, so the result goes where you expect.
To review translations first, change the AI command's default action to Run, then use the output after checking it. Switch back to Run And Paste when the prompt gives you the results you want. The same setup works for grammar corrections or tone adjustments with a different prompt.