---
url: https://chartbuddy.io/hub/docs/guides/from-chrome-extension.md
---
# From Chrome extension

Chartbuddy Hub is the desktop packaging of what already exists in the **Google Slides Chrome extension**.

## Shared engine

Both surfaces run the same charting core:

* Chart types: waterfall, mekko, stacked bar, line, stacked area, pie, scatter, combo, …
* Data model and styling defaults
* Native in-place editing

Hub does not replace the Slides extension — it complements it for AI-first workflows and desktop push/pull.

Agents can also drive the extension as a **chart head** of Hub over MCP (`surface: "ce"`, refs `ce:*`): Hub stays the single MCP entry; CE renders and edits in Slides. Internal vision + decisions: [`docs/ce-as-hub-head.md`](../../docs/ce-as-hub-head.md).

## What's different in Hub

| Chrome extension | Hub desktop |
|------------------|-------------|
| Lives inside Google Slides | Standalone desktop app |
| Sheets sync for deck data | MCP bridge for AI clients |
| OAuth to Google (in-browser tab) | System browser + localhost callback (PKCE) |
| SSO (WorkOS, work-email form) | Same WorkOS path; loopback + PKCE token exchange |
| Google account required | Email/password sign-in for users without Google or org SSO |
| Deck-native editing | Push/pull to multiple surfaces |

## Migration mental model

If you already use Chartbuddy in Slides, think of Hub as:

* The place AI agents send charts before they land in a deck
* The editor for charts that arrive as PNGs from chat or other tools
* The same chart quality, without opening a presentation

::: info Placeholder
Parity matrix (feature-by-feature) and shared keyboard shortcuts will be added as Hub ships.
:::