Random Email Generator Chromium (Beta)

• browser-extension
• privacy
• obscurity
• ai

A so-far non-public Chromium browser extension enabling you to generate and configure realistic emails for Gmail and Proton Mail, including decoy recipients, using Ollama (local AI models) or randomized templates (when Ollama is unavailable). The extension also generates random encrypted attachments.

Ask about availability

This extension does not collect or share any data with IA Defensa or third parties. The source code is available for auditing. The extension is free for personal use.

Features

• Privacy-first: Uses local Ollama models—no data sent to external services
• Gmail and Proton Mail support
• Smart content generation: Creates realistic subjects and email bodies
• Basic mode fallback: Generates template-based drafts when Ollama is unavailable
• Customizable prompts: Optional topic and custom prompt inputs (AI mode)
• Real-time status: Pop-up shows Ollama availability at a glance
• Works with any local model: Uses whatever local Ollama model you have installed
• Encrypted attachments: Adds a small encrypted attachment to each draft (can be disabled)

Setup

1. Install Ollama

Download and install Ollama on your machine.

2. Download a Model

Any model works. Pull one, for example:

ollama pull llama3.2:latest

3. Start Ollama With CORS Support

Essential: Browser extensions require CORS, so you must start Ollama from the command line.

To use the extension, run this command:

env OLLAMA_ORIGINS="*" nohup ollama serve < /dev/null > /tmp/ollama.log 2>&1 & disown

Verify it’s working:

curl -s http://localhost:11434/api/tags | head -1

Should return {"models":[… (JSON data, not an error)

Note: Don’t start the Ollama app at login—it doesn’t support CORS and will conflict with the CLI version.

4. Install Extension

1. Download or clone the extension repository
2. Open Chrome and navigate to chrome://extensions/ (or equivalent in other Chromium browsers, like edge://extensions/ or vivaldi://extensions/)
3. Enable developer mode (top right toggle)
4. Click “Load unpacked” and select the extension directory

Afterwards, configure the extension according to your preferences and consider pinning it to your toolbar for easy access.

Tip: Enable the extension in private mode (“Allow in Incognito”). The extension does not share any information with IA Defensa or third parties.

5. Test Setup

1. Click the extension icon
2. You should see: “🦙 Ollama available” (green background)
3. If you see “❌ Ollama not available”, check troubleshooting below

Usage

Basic Usage

1. Open Gmail or Proton Mail in Chrome
2. Click the “Random Email Generator” extension icon in the toolbar
3. Click “Prepare draft”
4. A compose window opens with generated subject and content

If Ollama is available, content is AI-generated (10–20 seconds). If not, the extension falls back to template-based drafts.

Custom Content (AI Mode)

When Ollama is available, topic and custom prompt fields appear in the popup:

1. Enter a specific topic (e.g., “meeting follow-up,” “vacation request”)
2. Optionally add a custom prompt for specific requirements
3. Uncheck “Include attachment” if you don’t want one
4. Click “Prepare draft”

Tips for Best Results

• Topics: Use specific topics like “project status update” vs. generic “work”
• Custom prompts: Add context like “make it formal” or “mention the deadline”
• Model: The extension uses the first local model in Ollama (generation speed depends on model size); cloud/remote models are skipped

Troubleshooting

Quick Status Check

The extension pop-up shows real-time Ollama status:

• 🦙 Ollama available: AI generation working; topic and prompt fields shown
• ❌ Ollama not available (port occupied—switching to basic mode): Something is on port 11434, but generation is blocked (e.g., the Ollama app instead of the CLI)
• ❌ Ollama not available (switching to basic mode): Nothing is running on port 11434

In both “not available” states, the extension still works using template-based drafts.

After Machine Restart

Issue: Extension shows “❌ Ollama not available” after restarting your computer.

Why: Either Ollama isn’t running, or it started without CORS support (which blocks the extension).

Do this after every restart:

1. Kill any running Ollama processes:

   pkill -f ollama

2. Start Ollama with CORS support:

   env OLLAMA_ORIGINS="*" nohup ollama serve < /dev/null > /tmp/ollama.log 2>&1 & disown

3. Test it’s working:

   curl -s http://localhost:11434/api/tags | head -1

   Should return {"models":[… (not an error)

4. Check Ollama is running:

   tail -f /tmp/ollama.log

5. Test the extension:

   • Click extension icon → should show “🦙 Ollama available”
   • If not, reload extension at chrome://extensions/ (or equivalent)

Common Problems and Solutions

Getting Help

If problems persist:

1. Check browser console (F12 → Console) for detailed error messages
2. Verify extension has localhost permissions in chrome://extensions/ (or equivalent)
3. Test with a fresh browser profile to rule out conflicts
4. Check Ollama version: ollama --version (requires v0.1.20+)

App vs. CLI

The Ollama app and CLI cannot both run simultaneously, because they use the same port (11434).

• Ollama app = no CORS support = extension falls back to basic mode ⚠️
• Ollama CLI with CORS = AI generation works ✅

If you accidentally start the app, the extension detects it and switches to basic mode. Kill the app and start the CLI with CORS to restore AI generation.