qr-box-reader-extension

QR Box Reader

Scan QR codes straight from your screen, no phone required.

Draw a box around any QR code on a web page, and QR Box Reader shows you the link hidden inside it.

The Problem

QR codes are made to be scanned with a phone camera. That works until it doesn't:

• A coworker sends a QR code as an image in a chat, and your phone is dead, lost, or in another room.
• You're working on a laptop and the code is on the same screen you're looking at, so there's nothing to point a camera at.
• You only have one device, and it's the one displaying the code.

Usually the only options are to find a charger, borrow someone's phone, or upload the image to a random third-party website and hope it's trustworthy.

The Solution

QR Box Reader lets you scan a QR code on the very screen where it's displayed.

1. Open the image containing the QR code.
2. Click the extension icon.
3. Drag a box around the QR code.
4. See the decoded link right away.

You can then copy the link, or open it after you've checked it.

Usage

inside the client folder, create a .env file, and add WXT_SERVER_URL with the value of https://qr-box-reader-extension.onrender.com

Features

• Point-and-select scanning: draw a box around only the QR code you want, even on a busy page.
• No second device: everything happens on the computer you're already using.
• Safe by default: links are shown to you first and never opened automatically. The website's domain is displayed separately from the full link, so suspicious-looking addresses are easy to spot.
• Quick actions: copy the link with one click, or open it when you're ready.
• Works on any page: chat apps, emails, documents, or anywhere a QR code appears on screen.

Who Is It For?

Anyone who has received a QR code on their computer and just wants the link, including remote workers, people without a spare device, and anyone who would rather not hunt for their phone.

A Note on Safety

QR codes can lead to phishing and scam websites, just like any other link. Always check the domain before opening a link, especially if the QR code came from someone you don't know or was unexpected.

Status

Early development. Contributions, ideas, and bug reports are welcome. Feel free to open an issue.

License

Released under the MIT License.