Troubleshooting

Connection test failed

Check these in Settings > Services:

1. Address Type matches what you entered. Use Service Root for a base URL such as https://api.openai.com/v1, or Full Request Address for the complete chat endpoint.
2. The address uses https for remote services. Plain http is accepted only for local services such as http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1.
3. The access key is saved and current.
4. The model ID is one your service accepts.
5. The response timeout is long enough for the service.
6. If you enabled a proxy, Test Proxy succeeds and the proxy address is correct.

Open Settings in SpotAsk

Opens the Service page in SpotAsk. If SpotAsk is not installed this link does nothing — open it by hand instead: SpotAsk menu bar icon → Settings... → Service, or press ⌘ + , to open Settings. Direct link: spotask://settings/provider

Models cannot be discovered

Model discovery is available when the service uses Service Root and exposes a models list. It is not available for Full Request Address mode.

If refresh fails, verify the service address and access key first. If your provider does not expose a models endpoint, add the model manually with its exact Model ID.

Selection Assistant does not appear

1. Enable Selection Assistant in Settings > Selection Assistant.
2. Allow the Cross-app text access permission when requested, and check its status in Settings.
3. If Trigger mode is Show quick actions, enable Show quick actions after selecting text.
4. Check Auto-show apps. In whitelist mode, only selected apps show the actions; in blacklist mode, excluded apps do not.
5. Try the selection shortcut manually: the default is ⌥ + ⇧ + Space.
6. Remember that SpotAsk cannot read empty selections, secure input fields, or text in apps that do not expose selected text.

Global shortcut conflicts

If another app uses the same global hotkey, record a different shortcut in Settings > General, or clear Global Shortcut if you open SpotAsk from the menu bar or a URL. In-app shortcuts are separate from the global hotkey.

SpotAsk says it cannot read saved service settings

Settings > General > Clear All Local Data resets corrupted local service data. You will need to add your services and keys again.

Open Settings in SpotAsk

Opens the General page in SpotAsk. If SpotAsk is not installed this link does nothing — open it by hand instead: SpotAsk menu bar icon → Settings... → General, or press ⌘ + , to open Settings. Direct link: spotask://settings/general

Need more detail

Settings > General > Diagnostics can record recent request and selection details locally, then Export Log creates a file you can share. Credentials are never included.