Cai is a macOS utility that brings AI actions to a single keystroke. Press ⌥C on any selected text or context and trigger a configurable menu of actions: run AI prompts, execute shell scripts, create GitHub issues, file Linear tickets, or route results anywhere you choose. The whole interaction takes seconds without leaving your current app.
What sets Cai apart is its local-first model stack. It ships with Ministral 3B bundled so there is zero setup to get started. From there you can swap in any HuggingFace MLX model for Apple Silicon-optimized speed, or connect external runtimes like Ollama, LM Studio, Apple Intelligence, or OpenRouter if you want access to larger models. Nothing leaves your machine unless you explicitly point it at a remote provider.
Cai is MIT licensed, free, and ships with no telemetry, no cloud dependency, and no account requirement. It suits developers and power users who want AI assistance embedded in their workflow rather than isolated in a browser tab or standalone app.