Cai

Cai adds a locally run AI‑powered action layer to macOS, letting users select any text or image in any application, press ⌥C, and immediately invoke a range of smart actions. Built‑in actions include AI‑generated prompts, terminal scripts, OCR, summaries, translations, and shortcuts to create GitHub issues or Linear tickets. The system works inline, avoiding separate chat windows or clipboard managers, and can route results to custom destinations.

The tool ships with a local AI model (Ministral 3B via MLX) that operates without API keys, accounts, or external services, though it also supports Apple Intelligence, LM Studio, Ollama, and cloud APIs if desired. Installation is handled through Homebrew, and the software is released under the MIT license.

Users can extend Cai by defining their own actions with custom prompts, shell scripts, or URL shortcuts, building a personal library that persists across sessions. The design emphasizes minimal UI, zero‑app switching, and privacy‑first operation, making it suitable for developers, writers, and anyone who wants to automate repetitive tasks directly from the macOS interface.