Getting Started

SpotAsk runs as a native macOS menu bar app. After you connect an AI service, the shortest workflow is:

1. Press ⌥ + Space (or your configured hotkey) to open the question window.
2. Ask your question.
3. Copy the answer or press ⎋ to close the window and return to what you were doing.

Requirements

• macOS 15 or later
• An OpenAI-compatible or Anthropic chat service account with an access key

Install SpotAsk

Download the matching package from GitHub Releases:

• Apple silicon Macs use the arm64 DMG.
• Intel Macs use the x86_64 DMG.

Open the DMG and move SpotAsk to Applications. The official release is signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple. After launch, SpotAsk appears only in the menu bar.

Connect your AI service

Open Settings from the menu bar (or press ⌘ + ,), then open Services.

1. Add or select a service.
2. Choose API Format: OpenAI Compatible or Anthropic.
3. Enter the service address.
4. Choose Address Type: Service Root or Full Request Address.
5. Enter your Access Key.
6. Add or select the Model ID your provider expects.
7. Click Test Connection.

If the test succeeds, close Settings and ask your first question. Most connection problems are address, key, or model ID mistakes; see Troubleshooting when the test fails.

Ask your first question

Click the menu bar icon or press ⌥ + Space. Type a question and press ↩.

The answer streams into the window when the service supports it. You can:

• Click Copy on an answer or code block.
• Press ⎋ to stop a response.
• Press ⌘ + N to start a new conversation.

Explore next

• Explore SpotAsk shows what else the app can do.
• Connect an OpenAI-Compatible Service explains provider setup in more detail.
• Privacy & Local Data explains where your keys, conversations, and selection data stay.