I do not really use AI. At least its part, I think, the user interface is mostly large language models (LLMS): Chatbot. I never think of opening a dedicated window and asking a fictional person to help – I find it a clumsy way to interact with a computer. Why can’t I help me in places where I am already working?
This idea is behind CoatipistOne (currently) free Mac application by developer Daniel Graff It adds autonomy of mobile-style in every application on your Mac. The device, which uses an offline LLM running on your device, requires an apple silicone processor (16 GB RAM is recommended).
While you are typing, the future text (in gray) appears to the right of your cursor, whether you are using any application. To accept the next word you can hit the “tab” to accept everything suggested or “` “(key above the tab). The idea is that AI writes fast by suggesting words you were going to type anyway – accept words you wanted and ignore the people you did not. Graff called such a writing “dance with AI”, which is a romantic perception.
Setting things is quite straightforward. After installing the application and launching it, you will get a small tutorial. You will need to enable required permissions by application. You have to wait for the application to download a large language model (the application automatically chooses the most powerful model likely to run well on your device). After it is set, you will start seeing the suggestion.
The menu bar icon allows you to disable suggestions in special applications.
Credit: Justin Pot
You can configure some things using the menu bar icon; For example, you can disable suggestions in a fixed amount of time or in a particular application for indefinitely. This is useful if you are tripping on tips in some apps, but find them useful in others. You can also click on Settings option to change the keyboard shortcut to accept suggestions.
What do you think so far?
Set a custom set of instructions for AI in Cotypist.
Credit: Justin Pot
You can also set a system-wide instructions for the bot. This is basically a block of the text that AI will be used to direct suggestions that direct it – documentation shows that you include information like your name, your profession and any guidance that you want to follow while writing AI.
I am now using Kotypest for about a week, for about a week. Every time and at one time it properly predicts where I am going and suggests the right words, saves me some keystrokes. Most of the time, however, I find myself distracted by suggestions. This can be to do something with my writing style – I am a very fast typist, and I usually know the next word that I am going to type really before typing.
However, the thing about writing is that it is intensified individual – everyone does it in a slightly different way. I can imagine that it is a useful tool for someone whose brain works a bit different from me, or someone who struggles with typing. If you are curious whether this device will fit your workflow, I recommend giving it a spin.
