Does Hover require a cloud account?

No. Hover does not require a Hover cloud account. It can use local model servers such as LM Studio and Ollama, or a remote OpenAI-compatible endpoint configured by the user.

Hover does not include first-party analytics, prompt logging, response logging, or a Hover backend. If a user chooses a remote provider such as OpenAI or Featherless, that provider processes the prompt and enabled context under its own policies.

Local-first AI assistant for macOS

AI anywhere on your Mac.

Hover opens next to your cursor, understands selected text and optional screen context, and works with local models or your own OpenAI-compatible API key.

Join the waitlist Get the paid DMG

Designed for everyday Mac work

Hover is built for people who want the speed of an inline assistant without handing every interaction to a new cloud account. It works across browsers, notes, documents, email, chat, and developer tools.

Cursor-first workflow

Press Command-Shift-X or triple right-click to open Hover exactly where you are.

Useful action presets

Explain, rewrite, summarize, reply, translate, fix grammar, or ask anything.

Put the result back

Copy, replace the selection, or paste the output into the active Mac app.

Local model support

Use LM Studio or Ollama when you want prompts processed on your machine.

Bring your own API key

Use OpenAI, Featherless, or any compatible HTTPS chat completions endpoint.

Context transparency

Hover shows when selected text, screen text, or screenshot context is included.

What Hover can do

For writing

Rewrite rough notes, fix grammar, make text shorter, draft replies, and translate text without leaving the app you are using.

For reading

Summarize long passages, explain confusing text, and ask follow-up questions with optional screen context.

For local AI users

Connect Hover to LM Studio or Ollama and keep sensitive work on your local model endpoint.

For API users

Use OpenAI, Featherless, or custom OpenAI-compatible APIs while keeping keys in macOS Keychain.

Privacy-first by design

Hover is open-source because a Mac assistant that can use Accessibility, clipboard, screen context, and API keys should be inspectable.

Data or permission	How Hover uses it	Default privacy stance
Selected text	Copied on demand when the user triggers Hover.	Not stored by Hover; sent only to the configured model endpoint.
API keys	Used for OpenAI, Featherless, or custom providers.	Stored in non-syncing macOS Keychain items.
Screen context	Optional active app/window text and optional screenshot context.	Gathered only after trigger; users can disable it.
Voice input	Push-to-talk prompt entry.	No always-on microphone.
Telemetry	None by default.	No first-party analytics, prompt logging, or Hover backend.

Paid beta DMG

Hover will be distributed outside the Mac App Store. The source code can be public, while the official DMG is a paid convenience build for people who want a ready-to-install app and support.

Free source build

Developers can inspect the code, build from Xcode, and contribute through the open-source repository.

Official paid DMG

Paid supporters get the downloadable Mac app, setup instructions, and support. Early unsigned previews may show macOS Gatekeeper warnings until signed builds are available.

Request paid beta access

Install and setup

Download the Hover DMG from the official paid beta link.
Drag Hover into Applications.
Open Hover from Applications and follow the setup guide.
Grant only the permissions for features you want to use.
Choose LM Studio, Ollama, OpenAI, Featherless, or a compatible endpoint.
Run Test Connection, select text in any app, then press Command-Shift-X.

FAQ

What is Hover for Mac?

Hover is a macOS AI assistant that opens next to your cursor. It helps explain, rewrite, summarize, translate, reply, fix grammar, and ask questions about selected text or optional screen context.

Is Hover a PopClip or Raycast alternative?

Hover overlaps with both, but it is focused on cursor-adjacent AI actions, local model support, OpenAI-compatible endpoints, and transparent context use.

Does Hover require OpenAI?

No. Hover supports local LM Studio and Ollama endpoints. OpenAI, Featherless, and compatible remote APIs are optional.

Does Hover store prompts or responses?

No. Hover does not store prompt history, response history, screenshots, voice recordings, or analytics events.

Will Hover be open-source?

The intended strategy is open-source code for transparency, with an official paid DMG for convenience, setup support, and stable distribution.