Edit PDFs in Your Browser with Nano Banana
Let's be honest, editing PDFs is usually a chore. You either need a heavyweight desktop application, a subscription to an online service, or you're stuck trying to finagle a Word document export. So when I saw a project called "Nano Banana" that lets you edit PDFs directly in the browser, I was immediately curious.
It's a lightweight, open-source web app built with Svelte. The promise is simple: drag, drop, and edit. No uploads to a mysterious server, no sign-ups, and no fees. As developers, tools that are simple, effective, and client-side always get our attention.
What It Does
Nano Banana is a browser-based PDF editor. You open the site, drag your PDF file onto it, and you can immediately start making changes. The core functionality allows you to add text boxes and basic shapes anywhere on the document. When you're done, you just hit download to save your edited version.
It’s purposefully minimal. This isn't Adobe Acrobat in your browser, and that's the point. It handles the quick, simple edits you often need without any fuss.
Why It's Cool
The clever part is in the implementation. The entire editing process happens locally in your browser. Your PDF never gets uploaded to a server. This is great for privacy and speed—everything is instant.
It's built with Svelte, which makes for a snappy and responsive UI. The project is also tiny and focused, doing one job well. For developers, it's a neat example of what you can build for the web using modern client-side tools. The source is clean and open, so it's easy to see how it works or even fork it to add your own features.
Think of use cases like quickly filling out a form PDF you downloaded, adding annotations or notes to a document before sending it, or making a minor correction to a page. It turns a 5-minute search for the right tool into a 30-second task.
How to Try It
Trying it out couldn't be easier. There's no installation.
- Head over to the live demo: Nano Banana App
- Drag and drop a PDF file onto the page.
- Use the toolbar on the left to add text or shapes.
- Click "Download" to save your edited copy.
If you want to poke around the code or run it locally, the GitHub repository has all the instructions.
GitHub Repository: https://github.com/gavrielc/Nano-PDF
Final Thoughts
Nano Banana is one of those utility projects that just makes sense. It solves a common, annoying problem with a straightforward, developer-friendly solution. I can see myself using it for quick PDF tweaks, and as a dev, I appreciate the simple, client-side architecture. It's a great reminder that not every tool needs to be a monolithic application—sometimes a focused, lightweight app is the perfect fit.
What would you use it for?
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