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Get Started with SticAI

Welcome! This guide will walk you through installing SticAI and getting the most out of it.

1. Download & Install

Download SticAI from our website and open the DMG file.

Opening an Unsigned App

Since SticAI isn't signed with an Apple Developer certificate yet, macOS will show a security warning. Here's how to open it:

  1. Double-click the app — You'll see a message saying the app "cannot be opened"
  2. Click Done (or close the dialog)
  3. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security
  4. Scroll down to find "SticAI was blocked from use"
  5. Click "Open Anyway"
  6. Confirm by clicking "Open" in the final dialog

You only need to do this once. After that, SticAI will open normally.

2. First Launch

After opening SticAI for the first time:

  1. Look for the menu bar icon — SticAI lives in your menu bar (top-right of your screen)
  2. Click the icon to see options: Open Palette, Settings, and Quit

3. Sign In

SticAI uses passwordless authentication — no password to remember!

  1. Enter your email address
  2. Check your inbox for a magic link from SticAI
  3. Click the link in the email
  4. You're in! The app will automatically log you in

4. Grant Accessibility Permission

To capture text from any app, SticAI needs accessibility permission:

  1. After signing in, you'll see a permission prompt
  2. Click "Open System Settings" (or go manually to System Settings → Privacy & Security → Accessibility)
  3. Enable SticAI in the list
  4. Restart the app if prompted

5. Using SticAI

The Magic Shortcut

Press ⌘ + Shift + Space (Command + Shift + Space) from anywhere to open the action palette.

  1. Select any text in any app
  2. Press ⌘ + Shift + Space
  3. Choose an action (Fix Grammar, Shorten, Translate, etc.)
  4. Press Enter to transform
  5. Press ⌘ + Enter to paste the result back

Quick Actions

Use these keyboard shortcuts when the palette is open:

  • ⌘1 — Fix Grammar
  • ⌘2 — Shorten
  • ⌘3 — Expand
  • ⌘4 — Rephrase
  • ⌘5 — Professional Tone
  • ⌘6 — Casual Tone

Result View

After a transformation:

  • ⌘C — Copy result to clipboard
  • ⌘D — Toggle diff view (see what changed)
  • ⌘R — Regenerate with same action
  • ⌘Enter — Paste result and close
  • Escape — Go back to action list

Custom Prompts

Type anything in the search bar (3+ words) and press Enter — SticAI will use your text as a custom instruction. For example:

  • "make this sound more friendly"
  • "add bullet points"
  • "simplify for a 5 year old"

6. Settings

Open settings with ⌘ + , (Command + Comma) or click the menu bar icon → Settings.

Account Tab

  • View your email and current plan
  • See your daily usage and limits
  • Manage your devices (max 3 per account)
  • Upgrade to Lifetime or Pro

API Keys Tab (Pro & Lifetime)

  • Add your own OpenRouter API key for unlimited transforms
  • Your text goes directly to OpenRouter — we never see it

Actions Tab

  • Toggle built-in actions — Hide actions you don't use
  • Toggle languages — Show only languages you need
  • Create custom actions — Add your own prompts with optional keyboard shortcuts

General Tab

  • Launch at login — Start SticAI automatically
  • Change hotkey — Set a different shortcut for the palette
  • App info — Version number and helpful links

7. Custom Actions

Create your own reusable prompts:

  1. Go to Settings → Actions
  2. Click "Add New Action"
  3. Choose an icon
  4. Give it a name (e.g., "Email Reply")
  5. Write your prompt (e.g., "Write a professional reply to this email")
  6. Optionally, assign a keyboard shortcut (⌘ + Shift + key)
  7. Click Save

Your custom action will appear in the palette under "My Actions".

Free tier: 3 custom actions Lifetime & Pro: Unlimited

8. Changing the Shortcut

Don't like ⌘ + Shift + Space? Change it:

  1. Go to Settings → General
  2. Click on the hotkey field
  3. Press your new shortcut
  4. Done!

Avoid shortcuts that conflict with system or app shortcuts (the app will warn you).

9. Tips & Tricks

  • No text selected? Just open the palette and start typing your custom prompt
  • Search actions — Type to filter actions by name
  • Translations — Type "translate to Spanish" (or any language) for quick translations
  • Hide unused actions — Keep your palette clean in Settings → Actions

Need Help?

Happy writing!

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