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What is webAI?

webAI is a macOS desktop app for Apple Silicon Macs. When you open it, you land on Chat, where you ask questions, continue threads, and work with AI on your Mac. The left sidebar is your main navigation. Alongside Chat you’ll find Messages, Contacts, Personas, and Artifacts. Settings lives in the account menu at the bottom of the sidebar.
This guide covers the webAI desktop app on macOS. See System requirements for supported versions and how to install.

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What’s in the app today

Chat

Ask questions, use voice input, switch between Offline and Online mode, and manage conversation threads.

Messages

Direct and group conversations with people you’ve connected with as contacts.

Contacts

Connect with others using a one-time invite and manage your device identity.

Personas

Create custom AI identities with their own name, role, and personality, then chat with them on the Personas tab.

Artifacts

Search and manage content the AI creates in Chat, and share artifacts with contacts in Messages.

Settings

Profile, appearance, local models, data and storage, and system options.

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Offline, Online, and local models

In Chat, click + in the prompt window and turn on Online when you want web search. When Online is off, Chat stays in offline mode. The setting stays until you change it.
  • Offline (default): Chat does not search the web. When you have a downloaded model in Settings → Model, replies are generated on your machine.
  • Online: Chat searches the web for current information and includes citations in the answer. Your query is sent off your device for that search.
Download and manage local models in Settings → Model. See Chat for details.

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Contacts and messaging

Contacts is how you connect with other people in webAI. Exchange a one-time invite to add someone, then message them directly or start a group conversation in Messages. Your device has its own identity: a display name and a cryptographic key used to secure your connections with contacts. It’s created on first run; you don’t need to configure anything to get started.

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Settings at a glance

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Next steps

Quickstart

Five short walkthroughs: ask a question, create a persona, connect with someone, and more.

System requirements

Check macOS requirements and install webAI in three steps.

FAQ

Answers to common questions about privacy, models, and the app.

Introduction

Overview of every section in the documentation.