> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://developers.webai.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# About webAI

> What the webAI desktop app is, what's in it today, and where to go next on your Mac.

## 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.

<Info>
  This guide covers the **webAI desktop app on macOS**. See [System requirements](/getting-started/system-requirements) for supported versions and how to install.
</Info>

## What's in the app today

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Chat" icon="message" href="/using-webai/chat">
    Ask questions, use voice input, switch between Offline and Online mode, and manage conversation threads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Messages" icon="envelope" href="/using-webai/messages">
    Direct and group conversations with people you've connected with as contacts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Contacts" icon="address-book" href="/using-webai/contacts">
    Connect with others using a one-time invite and manage your device identity.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Personas" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/using-webai/personas">
    Create custom AI identities with their own name, role, and personality, then chat with them on the Personas tab.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Artifacts" icon="file-lines" href="/using-webai/artifacts">
    Search and manage content the AI creates in Chat, and share artifacts with contacts in Messages.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Settings" icon="gear" href="/settings/profile">
    Profile, appearance, local models, data and storage, and system options.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## 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](/using-webai/chat#offline-and-online-mode) for details.

## 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.

## Settings at a glance

| Area               | What you can do                                    |
| ------------------ | -------------------------------------------------- |
| **Profile**        | Display name, avatar, and identity                 |
| **Appearance**     | System, dark, or light theme                       |
| **Model**          | Download and manage local AI models; edit personas |
| **Data & Storage** | Cached models, app data, and browsing data         |
| **System**         | Version, updates, diagnostics, and factory reset   |

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Quickstart" icon="bolt" href="/getting-started/quickstart">
    Five short walkthroughs: ask a question, create a persona, connect with someone, and more.
  </Card>

  <Card title="System requirements" icon="laptop" href="/getting-started/system-requirements">
    Check macOS requirements and install webAI in three steps.
  </Card>

  <Card title="FAQ" icon="circle-question" href="/support/faq">
    Answers to common questions about privacy, models, and the app.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Introduction" icon="book" href="/getting-started/introduction">
    Overview of every section in the documentation.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>